The oar(in the water) in a neutral position has water flowing equally on both sides. How does it work? This is the question with wind instruments, and there are certainly some pros and cons to consider. If the arrow points towards the ‘North’ marker on the weather vane, it indicates that the wind is … How does a Wind Vane work? Apparent wind is what you will be concered with most of the time while you are sailing. It was a horribly unbalanced 36 footer ( Kinney designed "Pipe Dream") It was overpowered but got here there. I sailed my first boat from BC to New Zealand with a QME type vane. The wind vane itself does not possess sufficient power to steer the boat, this is augmented by the servo pendulum. Later I hooked the same vane to a trim tab, says rig style. How does a wind vane self-steering work For those who sail offshore, the Windvane Self steering is a key element, just as the navigation charts and the compass are: they would never set off without it. We believe servo-pendulum systems like the Monitor are usually your best option. Wind vane self-steering is a mechanical device which automatically pilots a sailboat without the intervention of a helmsman by orienting it with respect to the wind. Does a wireless masthead wind indicator make sense? A windvane reacts to changes in the apparent wind direction and transmits this reaction to the servo pendulum in the water which, in turn, operates the boat’s steering or an auxiliary rudder. After electronics, the best wind direction indicator is a wind vane or masthead fly, such as the Windex. Windvane self-steering options fall into two categories, servo pendulum and auxiliary rudder. When the boat/wind changes direction the paddle pivots downward causing the oar to rotate via a crank and gear set. FRICTION: The C-vane is designed to have the least amount of friction of any other Laser-appropriate wind indicator; the actual pivot point is built into the pointer and rides on the flat surface of the bracket. Servo pendulum solutions utilize your boat’s own rudder and as the name suggests, auxiliary rudder products work with a separate, independent rudder system. With the “C” bracket design, the upper arm not only “sheds mainsheets”, it also provides friction-free retention. A wind vane will tell you what point of sail you are on so you can make the best of your sail trim. Like an old-fashioned rooftop weather vane, the masthead fly is essentially an arrow pointing into the direction from which the wind is coming (remember this is apparent wind, affected by the boat's direction of motion and speed, not true wind direction). These include wooden spars, ones with conduits that are full with other wiring, and masts that are regularly unstepped. That worked better, but the boat was still an abortion. For sailors with wiring-unfriendly masts, the wireless approach is a good one. True wind is ok but you need to know what the wind you are experincing is doing. A wind paddle, at the top of the vane is set so the wind flows equally on both sides. It will tell you if you are coming into Irons. When the wind catches the thick end of the pointer, it swings it around and the arrow points towards the direction in which the wind is blowing. Applications These devices are ideal for sailing long distances, especially when the wind blows steadily from the same direction. All present-day Vane Steering gears use the same operating principles. A wind vane reacts to changes in the apparent wind direction and transmits this reaction to the servo pendulum in the water which, in turn, operates the boat’s steering rudder.