How to Monitor Windvane Steering

Monitoring your self-steering windvane is a simple matter of doing a check of the vane before setting sail. The windvane is designed to pick up on wind changes and powers the rudder of your vessel to make slight corrections to keep you on a straight and steady coarse. The beauty of the windvane is that when working properly, it frees you from manning the tiller to enjoy other aspects of sailing your boat.

Instructions

    • 1

      Move the air vane, which is the part of the system above water, left to right to check for freedom of movement. There should be no friction in the vane for it to work properly.

    • 2

      Determine that the blocks are unhampered and able to move freely, as well.

    • 3

      Check to see that the air vane is adjusted straight up. Adjust the water vane, which is the part of the apparatus below water, to a fore and aft position, or parallel with the body of the vessel. These positions are crucial to the correct operation of the system, and should be carefully monitored.