Windpilot PACIFIC LIGHT - Setting the Windvane for Different Wind Strengths; Light Winds; Moderate Winds; Strong Winds

18
 • Ifthependulumarmreaches25degreesoff-centre
too quickly and easily, move ring 315 up the slot
(longer lever).
 • Keeptestingthesettingsandmovingtheringup
until the lateral travel of the pendulum arm begins
to be limited to less than 25 degrees.
 • Nowgraduallymovetheringbackdowntheslot,
testing the different settings as you go, until the
pendulum arm is just able to reach the full 25
degrees of travel.
 • CAUTION:larger,heavierboatsmayneedtoreach
a relatively high boat speed to move the pendulum
arm through the full 25 degrees.
 • Theforcegeneratedbytheservosystemisalways
dependent on leverage, rudder area and speed.
These factors are the product of physical laws, the
consequences of which are inescapable!
2.2.7 SETTING THE WINDVANE FOR DIFFERENT
WIND STRENGTHS
2.2.7.1 LIGHT WINDS
 • Setthewindvaneabsolutelyverticalformaximum
sensitivity.
 • Theuprightsettingalsoprovidesmaximumsteering
force with the wind from astern.
 • Astripofspinnakercloth(‘windvanetelltale’)on
the upper trailing edge of the vane further improves
sensitivity.
 • CAUTION:youshouldnotneedtousealarger
windvane in light airs. If you do use a larger vane,
it must be exactly the same weight as the standard
vane.
 • Thissettingisparticularlysuitableforsailingwith
the wind aft of the beam, when the apparent wind
strength is always relatively low.
2.2.7.2 MODERATE WINDS
 • Setthewindvaneangledback20degreesaway
from the wind.
 • Thispositionisthegeneralsettingforsailing
with the wind forward of the beam (relatively high
apparent winds).
2.2.7.3 STRONG WINDS
 • Anglethewindvanefurtherbackfromthewind
(more damping).
 • Ifthewindvanebeginstovibrateinverystrong
winds, try angling it back even further. The vane
can go as far as about 70 degrees back, which
should improve damping and give smoother
steering impulses (and hence better steering).
 • Thispositionisthegeneralheavyairsetting.
2.2.7.4 THE IDEAL WINDVANE POSITION
 • Thewindvaneshouldalwaysbeworkingevenly
around the upright position.
 • Ifallthemovementisoccurringononeside,
i.e. between the upright position and one of the