s/v Dolphin Spirit; Windvane Steering

Dolphin Spirit's Cape Horn Windvane Steering holds the boat true to her course.

The selection of the windvane steering system required much thought. The only place we could mount a unit was at the end of the bumpkin. Because of the mounting location, it had to be light in weight, fit the bumpkin mounting location and still be able to be controlled from the cockpit. To facilitate setting up the windvane while underway, the servo rudder would have to be easy to attach and easy to swing out of the way, when not in use. After many inquires to the major vendors, Yves Gelinas of s/v Jean-du-Sud fame and the founder of Cape Horn, simply stated, "no problem." The unit met our requirements. It weighs less than 35 lb., fits at the end and under the bumpkin, is controlled from the cockpit. The servo rudder is easy to mount and swing out of the way when not in use. Further, the unit uses a simple control mechanism to actuate the servo rudder.. Our Cape Horn has proved very effective at keeping the boat on course in light air, as well as heavy air, whether running or footing to weather.

The close-up photo above, shows the high quality of material and craftsmanship that go into a Cape Horn Windvane Steering system and the simplicity of its mechanism. In operation, when the boat yaws off course, the windvane flops to one side which sends a mechanical signal to the control tube. This turns the servo pendulum rudder. Water pressure moving across the servo rudder swings the servo rudder in an arc to starboard or port, depending on the required course correction.

This action moves the quadrant in front of the servo rudder. The quadrant is connected to the boat's tiller by two control lines. As the quadrant moves in conjunction with the servo rudder, the control lines turn the boat's rudder which steers the boat back on course. The key to any windvane steering system is to reduce weather helm by balancing the boat's sail plan. Once the boat is balance, a good windvane steering system will, in general, steer the boat better than the person at the helm.