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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    Default windvanes

    Does anyone have a Norvane windvane? They are made in Carlsbad. Any feedback? They are $2000 less than a Monitor new. It's a servo-pendulum type windvane. I'd appreciate any comments. Tom @ Blue Pelican once told me that he deals only in Monitors and their parts because it is such a reputable product. A reputable product is one good reason to buy a Monitor, of course, and the ability to get parts at Blue Pelican another. But still. $2000.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    I've never seen a Norvane but I'll hijack your thread anyway - muhahahaha!

    With the STR* still in mind, I've thought about a windvane for Ragtime! as a backup to the electric AP's. As much as I like Hans and his Monitors, his is a one-size-fits-all solution and it simply weighs too much for my boat. The J/92 is especially sensitive to excess weight aft.

    I looked at the WindPilot "Pacific Light" Adam had on Blue Moon. It appeared to be well-made and is much lighter than the Monitor. WindPilot's larger "Pacific" model is better suited to my boat (at racing speeds/loads) but weighs as much as the Monitor, so I'm thinking about a "Pacific Light" to be used only as a backup.

    I pretty sure if Hans designed a Monitor for smaller boats (20-25# lighter), he'd have some customers.

    * Solo Tahiti Race
    Last edited by BobJ; 12-23-2012 at 01:55 PM.

  3. #3
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    Jan 2010
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    Default

    Here is one review of the norvane. I'll look into the windpilot
    http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...iew-63789.html

  4. #4
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    Sep 2007
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    Default

    I apologize in advance for the gratuitous boobs on Peter's site. Maybe they're Tahitian or something.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Honolulu
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    Default

    Jackie, I plan to install a Navik on my cal 2-27 this week. I'll let you know how it goes. Navik's are cheap, relatively available, lightweight, and get great reviews.

  6. #6
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    Sep 2007
    Location
    San Francisco Bay Area
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ronnie simpson View Post
    Jackie, I plan to install a Navik on my cal 2-27 this week. I'll let you know how it goes. Navik's are cheap, relatively available, lightweight, and get great reviews.
    As of several years ago, the Navik was out of production.

    That said, it's the only vane I've ever used and I love 'em. The only drawback is that it's extremely difficult to take the pendulum oar out of the water when the boat is moving, and essentially impossible to put it back in. Also, when installing/removing the pendulum oar anywhere but the dock, you run a risk of seriously mashed fingers.

    Aside from that, it's a great product...light and durable and powerful.
    1968 Selmer Series 9 B-flat and A clarinets
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    Piper One Design 24, Hull #35; "Alpha"

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
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    1

    Default

    I have been using a Norvane on a Tartan 30C with a tiller since 2010..... It has worked very well.....Previously had used a Aries on a 39 foot steel cutter for probably 70,000 nm..... It was great, but required some scraping out of the bearing sockets about every 20,000 nm or so...

    Have not put any significant miles on the Norvane yet.....

    The Norvane is very similiar to the Flemming that is popular in Aus and NZ....

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