Posted by maxandmich (maxandmich@…>)
I am thinking of putting a Monitor wind vane on my 36 foot freedom. I
hope to take this south in 2 years to do some Caribbean sailing. I was
just wondering of anyone had ever done this before and if so, did they
have any advice. Thanks in advance.
Posted by johnpolecat3@… (johnpolecat3@…)
You will be happy you did, had one on the 44 easy and affordablee -----Original Message-----From: maxandmich <maxandmich@…>To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.comSent: Tue, 20 Jun 2006 12:11:38 -0000Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Monitor Wind Vane on Freedom?
I am thinking of putting a Monitor wind vane on my 36 foot freedom. I hope to take this south in 2 years to do some Caribbean sailing. I was just wondering of anyone had ever done this before and if so, did they have any advice. Thanks in advance.
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Posted by Skip Turpin (skipperf33@…>)
I have sailed my F33CK with my Monitor wind vane in the Pacific for
about 5 years now and can’t see doing without it. I mostly single
hand and the Monitor “Abigail” is truly a second crew member! Life
aboard would not be the same with out her. Too bad she can’t cook!
As far as installation, you will receive all the help you need from
the folks at Monitor! DON’T try to wing it on your own or you will
be sorry! The vane is of great quality, built like a tank and pretty
much bullet proof. If you cruise your boat, purchase their spare
parts kit.
A HINT!!! You can mount the drive pin of an inexpensive
tiller pilot type autopilot on top of the counter balance weight.
Then make an appropriate mount for the other end of the pilot. This
arrangement will keep loads on your autopilot very low while
underway. You can use this setup while motoring if you like, and I
like, but keep in mind that there is more stress on the servo rudder
from the prop wash. So far I have suffered no “known” ill effects
from motoring with both Abigail & Gertrude(the autopilot) at the
helm.
Get to thinking about it, this is the dream of every red
blooded male sailor, right? Two SHE’S and one HE!!! Gertrude
resides in my bunk when not on duty, but so far she remains a bit
hard and cold! A guy can dream can’t he? After all, if a gal can
kiss a frog…well??? (I know. I’m such a sick puppy!)
Two very important points:
(1) The tiller pilot is not used when using the wind for steerage!
Remove the wind paddle before attaching the autopilot!
(2) Do not fail to attach a tether to your tiller pilot or you will
lose it overboard(guaranteed)! In my case, it only took finding
the thing dangling over the transom held only by the 12v power cord
twice, to make that point with me. I’m a slow learner!
By the way the names “Abigail” and “Gertrude” are under copyright by
me!!! Don’t even think about it!
Good luck!
Skip