servo -pendulum

  • September 28, 2019 5:14 PM
    Message # 7907347

    In your opinion, which servo-pendulum wind vane is best suited to the W32?

    I liked the Cape Horn, but the mounting tube has to be placed off center with the canoe stern. I think Aires, then Hydrovane, Monitor, and Fleming would be the hierarchy of my preferences.

    Thanks for your reply.

    Dave Matt



    Last modified: September 28, 2019 5:16 PM | Anonymous member
  • September 28, 2019 7:59 PM
    Reply # 7907459 on 7907347

    Hello Dave.  Well, since you asked.   These are my preferred top 3 in order:  1)  The last generation of the Aries.  2)  The previous generation of the Aries. 3) The Fleming.           As a delivery skipper I have used all the different servo pendulum windvanes and most of them on W-32’s for At least one full ocean crossing.  With that said, both of the Aries have an issue but that issue is easily corrected.    Just my opinion.    Also: just to be clear.  The W-32 does not have a canoe stern.  It has a Norwegian stern.  Also, the Cape Horn windvane will work just fine on a W-32.  It is, in fact, the lightest weight of them all and that may be a consideration.       Good luck with your choice and let us know what it was.   Dave

  • September 29, 2019 11:58 AM
    Reply # 7908111 on 7907347

    Thanks Dave.

    What is the easily fixed Aires problem?

    Dave Matt

  • September 29, 2019 12:43 PM
    Reply # 7908174 on 7907347

    Hello Dave,   On the last generation of the Aries, the main shaft is aluminum.  It will wear and eventually make the unit inoperable.  The fix is to replace the shaft with stainless steel.  It’s not difficult or expensive.  I have done it.  On the previous generation Aries,  the biggest source of friction in the system is the lowest bearing surface on the pendulum shaft.  It seemed to take forever to determine this as there are multiple sources of friction.  The solution is to remove the pendulum shaft and “over bore” the bushing a little.   Both Aries are difficult to raise and deploy the rudder.  Aries did produce a better hinge although I have never used that hinge.  It operates almost,  just like the one on the Monitor windvane.  The best hinge of all has been made popular by the latest GGR, ( an around the world race).  I regret that I do not recall the maker of that hinge,  but Gary Burton knows and is using one.  I am a skinny little guy and simply mount and remove the rudder by hanging over the stern.          So, why do I prefer the Aries?  I like their 2 point mounting system better than the others 4 point systems.  Also,  I prefer and appreciate the “ratcheting” system for course changes.  One ratchet is exactly 6 degrees.  A known quantity.  Just my preference.    I personally have the previous generation Aries.  It has approximately 90,000 nm on it and, at present, needs nothing.  On one cruise to New Zealand, I swapped out that Aries just for the experience of testing a different  Windvane.       I hope this info is of some use.    Good luck,  Dave

    Last modified: September 29, 2019 12:46 PM | Anonymous member
  • September 29, 2019 1:20 PM
    Reply # 7908257 on 7907347

    Hello Dave’s,

    A person by the name of Lean Nellis has taken over the Aries brand. He does supply all replacement parts including the Hinge Dave mentions above, bushings and also stainless shafts and gears. Not inexpensive but it’s great to have this resource available.

    http://www.ariesvanegear.com/about-us-selfsteering-aries-vane-nickfranklin-petermattiesen-leannelis/

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