S5EP5//Cape Horn Self-Steering Windvane: Why it's so Important Singlehanding offshore//Part 2//

In this episode I I describe why the Cape Horn Self Steering Windvane is so important to me.
For more information on the Cape Horn windvane visit: caphorn.com/en/...
Earlier in Season 5 I singlehanded the Far reach from North Carolina to the Virgin Islands in December 2021. It was my third voyage in the Far Reach to the Virgin Islands.
In the previous Season 4 episodes I shared what it took to rebuild our 36' sailboat from a complete gutted hull and deck into my ideal voyaging boat, installed a small inboard Diesel engine with a folding propeller, and made some additional improvements to the Far Reach.
Previous episodes recap:
Season 1, Episode 1, contains a short synopsis of a six year total rebuild of the Far Reach from a gutted bare hull. I also double hand the Far Reach offshore with my sister from NC to the BVI.
In Season 2, I single-hand the Far Reach from Sint Maarten back to NC.
In Season 3, I share my Single-handed voyage from NC to the BVI as well as from the VI back to NC.
In Season 4, I detailed the original rebuild of the Far Reach then the planning and installation of a small diesel engine with a folding propeller. I concluding by sharing some additional modifications and upgrades as well as trouble shooting the Cape Horn windvane.
To learn more about the rebuilding of the Far Reach: www.farreachvoy...
To read about this voyage, and many others, including additional modifications and updates to the Far Reach since her launch in 2015: www.farreachvo...
For more information on the Stimson Bow Roof Shed visit bow-roof-shed.com
If you have questions or stories to share about your own voyages feel free to post them in the comment section. Happy sailing.

[@Creek-Critter]

Sound good to me, thanks for your input

[@FarReachVoyages]

Sure.

[@sail4life]

I've never seen a cape horn wind vane. It sure looks like it was reduced to the max! Very interesting.

[@FarReachVoyages]

Glad you found it informative. More info on the Cape Horn in S4E4....

[@roadboat9216]

Such a critical piece of gear. I had a monitor on my Alberg 35. I would rather have had this. But at the time the Monitor was the best. Still very good. I has a Hydrovane on my Cal 46. Best for a larger center cocpit.

[@FarReachVoyages]

Absolutely. No windvane--no voyaging. At least not without an order of magnitude more complexity. Alberg 35--perhaps the loveliest sheerline he ever drew. Matching the vane to the boat is important if it's to work well. No one size fits all.

[@tyjohnson6793]

full keel? I wonder how this works on fin keels?

[@FarReachVoyages]

Ty, it should work fine. You can go to Cape Horn website and get contact information for owners with all kinds of boats to check with owners of boats like yours to learn how it performs. It steers through your boat's rudder. Check S6E4 for how it works.

[@hodadyou]

Thanks for your NC perspective. We have the Cape Horn on our Bayfield 29 and are slowly dialing her in on the Cape Fear.

[@FarReachVoyages]

Very nice. Thanks for commenting. I hope you are as happy with the Cape Horn as I am. Good luck to you.

[@dreamtimesv]

I have a 33 Nantucket Island yacht, with a Windy ProVane attached. Its simple and robust like yours but has no lines or attachments to the steering gear, but a rudder like the hydrovane and it works a treat, and maintains in my experience so far, a good course in all conditions experienced. Like yours there is a simplicity to these devices that makes them elegant and an important part of any cruising yacht. Thanks for your video.

[@MrRourk]

I know what you mean. There are other auto pilot systems that require a constant course correction. That gets old real fast.