Velero Regina · video

What this video covers

A 50-mile coastal passage serves as the first extended sea trial of the Windpilot Pacific wind vane self-steering system aboard Regina. Javi reports the Windpilot outperforms the electric autopilot, holding course steadily for several hours without intervention in approximately 20 knots of true wind.2:01 Regina carries two reefs in the mainsail and a Genoa, making 6–7 knots on a reach — conditions Javi notes were conservative; one reef or full sail would have been sufficient.2:01 He explains the key adjustment points: the angle-of-attack vane must be set to the apparent wind and tuned by rotating its control, and the brake tension requires fine-tuning depending on conditions.3:52 The steering linkage runs directly to an auxiliary rudder on the wind vane unit; Javi notes the control line is short enough to adjust by hand without a re-lead.4:11 The passage ends at La Palma, described as Regina's base port for the season, with Tenerife and its Teide volcano visible on approach.5:57 Sail trim quality directly affects wind vane performance — the better the sails are set, the less correction the Windpilot needs.6:51

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