Hello,
I am looking into a self steering mechanism. After reading the websites of Hydrovane (http://www.hydrovane.com) and Monitor wind vane (http://www.selfsteer.com), I would like to hear what OCC members use specially in heavy boats, over 20T.
I noticed that there are at least 5-10 products to consider so it would be nice to hear other self steering product opinions.
I appreciate any info (the good, the bad and the ugly).
Thanks,

Hi

When I bought our 30,000lb Island Packet 45 in Boston USA we researched what we could find to decide on which vane to buy. Primarily because of its emergency rudder potential we opted for a Hydrovane.

24 hours out of Boston heading for Scotland the main vertical tube started sliding down the brackets. Unable to fix it hanging off the back we returned to Boston where my professional engineer friend who by chance we had on board completely re-built and re-mounted the system (which the boatyard had fitted)

Back in place and back on passage we found the bolts holding the main tube to its mounting bracket "gripped" the inner steering tube causing the system to bind. Loosened off, the main tube started slipping again.

To make a bad situation worse, the horizontal tube mounted on the transom bracket started pulling out.

End result, we hand steered to Azores where once again we re-built. On second leg home, exact same problem.

Sold it on eBay as Hydrovane quite unhelpful and bought a Monitor which has since steered us beautifully on 3 trans Atlantics.