Windpilot PACIFIC LIGHT, Manual

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• If the pendulum arm reaches 25 degrees off-centre
too quickly and easily, move ring 315 up the slot
(longer lever).
• Keep testing the settings and moving the ring up
until the lateral travel of the pendulum arm begins
to be limited to less than 25 degrees.
• Now gradually move the ring back down the slot,
testing the different settings as you go, until the
pendulum arm is just able to reach the full 25
degrees of travel.
• CAUTION: larger, heavier boats may need to reach
a relatively high boat speed to move the pendulum
arm through the full 25 degrees.
• The force generated by the servo system is always
dependent on leverage, rudder area and speed.
These factors are the product of physical laws, the
consequences of which are inescapable!
2.2.7 SETTING THE WINDVANE FOR DIFFERENT
WIND STRENGTHS
2.2.7.1 LIGHT WINDS
• Set the windvane absolutely vertical for maximum
sensitivity.
• The upright setting also provides maximum steering
force with the wind from astern.
• A strip of spinnaker cloth (‘windvane telltale’) on
the upper trailing edge of the vane further improves
sensitivity.
• CAUTION: you should not need to use a larger
windvane in light airs. If you do use a larger vane,
it must be exactly the same weight as the standard
vane.
• This setting is particularly suitable for sailing with
the wind aft of the beam, when the apparent wind
strength is always relatively low.
2.2.7.2 MODERATE WINDS
• Set the windvane angled back 20 degrees away
from the wind.
• This position is the general setting for sailing
with the wind forward of the beam (relatively high
apparent winds).
2.2.7.3 STRONG WINDS
• Angle the windvane further back from the wind
(more damping).
• If the windvane begins to vibrate in very strong
winds, try angling it back even further. The vane
can go as far as about 70 degrees back, which
should improve damping and give smoother
steering impulses (and hence better steering).
• This position is the general heavy air setting.
2.2.7.4 THE IDEAL WINDVANE POSITION
• The windvane should always be working evenly
around the upright position.
• If all the movement is occurring on one side,
i.e. between the upright position and one of the