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| Operation |
| The wind vane is feathered or edge on into the wind, when the yacht goes off course one face of the vane is presented to the wind and it folds down sideways. This motion is transmitted through a linkage which deflects the servo rudder from 'dead ahead' in the water. The servo rudder is able to swing sideways on its top bearings and this in turn pulls the steering lines which operates the wheel or tiller. The gear only has to develop the low forces to move the main helm, similar to the helmsman as compared to the direct acting type of gear which has to steer the vessel by itself with the main rudder fixed. |
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| Universal Rope Block |
| The Universal Rope Block is constructed of aluminium die castings. The rope sheaves are contained in a sphere which can be rotated to any angle inside the outer housing and locked in position. This is ideal for wheel steering installations where two steering lines are lead together as a pair to the wheel drum. |
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| Course Adjusting Lines |
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The course adjusting lines are used for feathering the vane into the wind as well as making any course alterations. One pull of the line alters the course 6°. Very small alterations can be made by adjusting the chain in the tiller clamp or clutch position in the wheel drum. |
| Mizzens |
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Very few mizzen booms are high enough to clear the plywood vane (1600mm above mounting tubes). I feel the worst and only problem is when closehauled with the mizzen boom sheeted in hard to centreline. Under these conditions the vane is limited in its travel by hitting the boom. The remedy is to set the vane up to the weatherside using only half of its movements which is quite acceptable as most yachts are virtually self steering when on the wind. Slight easing of the mizzen sheets helps a great deal and you can also pivot the vane aft in its clamp to 45° off vertical without ill effect which will probably clear under the boom anyway. The vane can be pushed down horizontal in its clamp which is very useful when manoeuvering or gybing or tacking. No matter what you do to the plywood vane you cannot break its mounting casting, connecting linkage or any other part of the gear. You can easily make your own vane from 6mm plywood. Experience has shown that backwinding effects from the mizzen on to the vane when closehauled are unnoticeable (the yacht's inherent directional stability no doubt help here). |
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Lift -Up Installation
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