On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:07:16 GMT, "NE Sailboat"
wrote:

Wayne ,, I suppose I really don't need a vane. But I have always wanted
one. I just like the idea of a natural way of steering using the wind,
point of sail,etc.

Kinda nuts I guess.

I felt the same way at one time, having always had a fascination for
complex mechanical assemblies. There is definitely something cool
about the appearance of the older vanes. It was also the mark of a
boat that had been places.

The installation effort looks like a nightmare however, and you end up
with a lot of weight and clutter on the stern, all of it highly
exposed to the elements and docking mishaps. There is also a certain
hazzard involved. I believe it was either Hal Roth's wife or Lin
Pardey who once got her hand caught up in the mechanism, causing
serious injury of course.