Moody 47 Hydrovane

[Simon Parry]

Dear All
Considering a M47 from 2002.
Wanting to hear from a member who has fitted a Hydrovane to their M47 or M46.
Would like to hear about your fitting experience and how you find it whilst sailing.
Thanks Simon

 

[Lee Adams]

Simon,

When we were out the water in Spice Island Marina, Grenada, I fitted our Hydrovane following the detailed instructions. It was not that difficult after I had worked out where to fit the brackets. I purchased the backing plates and pads from Hydrovane.

Here are a few pictures showing the backing plates in the aft lockers and the tubing we used to template the fitting etc

As for using it whilst sailing, you have to balance the sails as best as you can and then lock the helm off (to counteract weather helm) and then engage the hydrovane. Once you get the hang of it then it is easy enough. Just be aware that it steers to apparent wind so as the wind can change direction the course changes also.

When motoring we just lock off the wind vane part and leave the rudder free trailing.

The Hydrovane manual is very good and there are a lot of videos etc that can be downloaded from the site:

Instructions - Hydrovane

For quality installation follow our instructions guide for the hydrovane self steering sailboat equipment system.

hydrovane.com

Hope that helps.