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SPONSORS:
Emtel Ltd.
Advance Space Structures Ltd.
Resiglas Co. Ltd.
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Windvane
After running out of electrical power with 2 dead batteries in 2000,
half
way
between
Mauritius
and
the
Seychelles, I found
out (the hard way) that being dependent on electrical energy for steering the
boat is not
ideal. Electric automatic pilots are very nice for day cruising
or
motoring, however they use too much
electrical
energy
and
have
the
bad
habit
of
letting
you
down
when
most
required. After building a trim-tab windvane in 4 days in the Seychelles Yacht
Club and use it to steer the boat for more than 2000 miles, I made up my
mind, I will always have one on board in future. However commercial ones
are very expensive (around US$ 3K ), I was fortunate enough to get a old
(probably over 25 years old) Aries from a friend, rebuilding has been much
easier than building one from scratch (original plan).
Some
parts
were
ordered
from
Ms
Helen
Franklin
of
Aries
Spares
(
www.ariesvane.com
), she also provided the template for the plywood vane. Several
parts
were
made
locally,
bushes
with Acetal
(polyoxymethylene,
also
known
as
"Delrin"
which
is
a
registered
trademark
of
Dupont) and the pulleys with nylon. Due to corrosion a few hex bolts were
changed to the next higher
metric
size,
the
whole
gear
has
also
be
painted
to
reduce
corrosion
in
future.
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A
old Aries windvane given by a friend, it needs a complete rebuild. Big job to dismantle it, all bolts and part are seized by corrosion
(Stainless/Aluminium galvanic effect) ,
January 2005. |
Jean Philippe and Denis
working hard on the windvane, they are doing a good job cleaning and
polishing all parts,
January 2005. |
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The mounting bracket build
with thick wall stainless tube has been made to swivel so that the scoop may
be used at anchor for bathing,
January 2005. |
When windvane
swivelled on
the portside the scoop may be used at anchor for bathing etc..., February
2005. |
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Painted to reduce corrosion, all bearings changed. The servo rudder still need to be repaired, February
2005. |
The vane was not swinging back to vertical correctly I therefore re-cast the lead counterweight which seem to have been modified in the past, old one weight 2575 grams, new (balanced one) 4000 grams,
Ms Helen Franklin confirmed that the original weight 2700 grams seems, strange...Note the 6mm vane weight 835 grams, March 2005.
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I made a hinge so that the
servo rudder may be lift up when not in use, it also has a "fuse" so that in
case of involuntary hit nothing breaks, January
2007. |
The servo rudder shown up,
January 2007. |
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On
board, aft view, January
2010. |
On board, port view, January
2010. |
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