Jakob Lang Sailing · video

What this video covers

Jakob Lang installs a South Atlantic S500 wind vane self-steering system on his boat, Wolf, while docked in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, to prepare for an Atlantic crossing.0:37 The installation aims to provide redundancy for his existing electrical autopilot and reduce power consumption during long-distance passages.1:34 Lang removes a stern-mounted boarding ladder to accommodate the wind vane’s main unit, utilizing existing hull reinforcements to secure the mounting brackets.3:50 He drills four 12mm holes through the transom, reinforcing the interior with a wooden backing board to distribute the load.6:35 After assembling the main unit, pendulum rudder, and wind vane, he sea-trials the system by heaving-to and engaging the pendulum mechanism.11:22 The system functions by using the wind vane to actuate a servo rudder, which then transmits steering force to the boat's main rudder.13:10 The installation successfully allows the boat to maintain course without electrical input.14:32

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