{"id":13099,"date":"2025-07-01T09:05:58","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T16:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/windpilot.com\/blog\/en\/?page_id=13099"},"modified":"2025-07-01T09:10:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T16:10:14","slug":"heavyweights","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/windpilot.com\/blog\/en\/tec-news\/heavyweights\/","title":{"rendered":"Heavyweights"},"content":{"rendered":"

WINDPILOT PACIFIC KEEPS THE HEAVYWEIGHTS IN LINE\u2028<\/strong>
\n\"\"The word “heavyweights” \u2013 my considered choice of title today \u2013 can be understood in a number of different ways, several of which apply in the present context. Take my Windpilot self-steering systems, for example. I have been producing the Pacific<\/strong> and Pacific Plus models for 42 years, during which time many sailors have assumed the Pacific Plus<\/strong> is the Pacific’s big sister. The Pacific Plus does weigh (and cost) more, it is true, but the Pacific is the real heavyweight<\/strong> in virtually every other respect. Let me explain…\u2028
\n\"\"
\nAll auxiliary rudder and double rudder systems steer via an auxiliary rudder. The auxiliary rudder needs to have an effective area equal to approximately one third of the area of the boat’s main rudder in order to function properly as a windvane self-steering system. If the auxiliary rudder is underproportioned, it will be unable to hold the boat on course reliably. It might qualify as an aid to steering, but its lack of area will prevent it generating the steering force necessary for dependable self-steering. Although auxiliary rudder and double rudder systems are the same in this respect, they also differ in a fundamental way. An auxiliary rudder system like the Hydrovane<\/strong> derives both its steering signal and its steering force from its windvane. The double-rudder Pacific Plus<\/strong>, in contrast, uses the windvane only for its steering signal and relies on the pendulum rudder for steering force. Thanks to the servo effect exploited by the pendulum rudder, the Pacific Plus is able to generate considerably greater steering force than a regular non-servo-assisted auxiliary rudder system like the Hydrovane.\u2028
\n\"\"\"\"The Pacific steers via transmission lines that link it directly to the main rudder. Whatever its particulars (large, small, balanced, keel-hung etc.), the main rudder will by definition be sufficient in area to control the boat, so the Pacific entirely avoids the problem of matching the proportions of two different rudder areas. The Pacific accordingly has the power to tame significantly larger boats, not reaching its upper limit until around 65\u00a0ft and 40\u00a0metric tons. One key element to bear in mind though is that this performance assumes the Pacific can control the main rudder directly via the tiller or wheel. Hydraulic steering systems change the picture substantially.<\/p>\n

Hydraulic steering<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n