Self Steering Wind Vane for our Sailboat | Land Rats | EP18
22 November 2020 · 14 min · 2K views
What this video covers
Installing a used auxiliary rudder wind vane requires significant modifications to the stern of a sailboat, particularly when existing boarding ladders and backstays obstruct the mounting location. The installation process involves fabricating a custom stainless steel mounting plate to ensure the wind vane tower remains perfectly vertical, which requires using a spirit level and tack welding the assembly before final welding.4:08 Because the wind vane occupies the center of the transom, the boarding ladder must be relocated to the side, necessitating the cutting and modification of the stern pulpit rail.5:23 During the fitting process, the mounting pole may require mechanical tensioning to achieve proper alignment.7:49 A common complication involves the wind vane’s swing radius; if the unit is mounted too close to the transom, the rudder assembly may strike the hull when tilted up for storage.11:58 Extending the mounting brackets by approximately 50 millimeters can provide the necessary clearance for the unit to stow upright.12:32
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