Navik

Navik Wind vane (Update 19th Feb 2007)

In single-handed or shorthanded racing, the NAVIK has always been the preferred choice for smaller yachts. Nearly 90% of the participants in the Mini TransAtlantic Race have been sailing with NAVIK vane gears. In 1980 the race was won in record time by Californian Norton Smith on American Express using a NAVIK. A NAVIK steered the winning boat in the Jester class in the 1980 OSTAR (Observer Single-handed TransAtlantic Race). A NAVIK vane gear was chosen by Guy Bernardin for his 38' entry in the BOC single-handed around the world race (1982-83) and steered his boat through some of the worst weather areas of all.

A NAVIK steered the winner of Class IV in the 1984 OSTAR and a NAVIK was used by Mark Rudiger, overall winner of the 1984 Singlehanded TransPac, on his 29' Shadowfox.

Even if you are not a singlehanded racer it is reassuring to know that your NAVIK self steering has proven itself again and again on hard testing grounds.

How the Navik works

The NAVIK self-steering is a development of the servo-pendulum windvane principle. In a servo-pendulum gear the windvane controls an oar, suspended in a frame on the stern of the yacht. The oar is linked by lines to the boat's own steering. With the boat on course the operator turns the windvane into the wind and engages the lines from the oar to the boat's steering.

As long as the boat is sailing on course, with the windvane pointing into the wind, the oar in the water will be lined up on the center line of the boat. If the boat gets off course the change in wind direction produces a signal from the windvane, which rotates the blade of the so called servo-pendulum oar. The pressure from the water hitting the blade face on forces the oar to swing to the side. In this way a lot of force is generated by the boat's own speed through the water. As the servo-pendulum oar is connected to the boat's own steering, the movement of the oar produces a movement of the boats rudder, which steers the yacht back on course.

Daniel Hays and his father sailed the Vertue 25 shown below from Connecticut around Cape Horn and back. They wrote a book called "My Old Man and the Sea" which made the New York Times Bestseller List.

	View of my Navik installed on the back of Ploughboy Dreamer. This is my 'coastal' version with two 1" SS supports to the rear stanchion and two to the rear transom. The Navik need to clear the rudder by a minimum of 10 cms.
	View of the Navik from the cockpit showing the 'T' clamp connections to the lower pushpit cross bar. It's a bit of stretch off the back of the boat to adjust the Navik but I only plan to be doing this with a lifeline on ! The tiller adjustment lines run to pulleys off the back of each of the rear pushpit stanchions. The lines will attach to a foot of SS chain I have which will connect to a pin on the rudder.
	View of the transom support bar which shows the 1" SS bar welded onto the end connectors (which also have the grub screw in) which are connected via a bolt to the SS thru hull connections. The bolt is wrapped with a black 'Rescue' amalgamating tape.
	View of the transom thru hull connection from the inside. Each bolt has a penny washer and there is a 9" backing plate which is set in a flexible waterproof adhesive.

Boats and Steering Systems

The NAVIK vane gear is especially designed for smaller and medium sized boats up to 30' LOA. For boats within this limit the NAVIK develops ample power to steer, while its low mounted weight and relatively small surface areas reduce stress and vulnerability.

It is often assumed that a servo-pendulum gear like the NAVIK is only suitable for tiller steered boats. Actually, the NAVIK steers through wheel steering just as well, using a small adaptor drum on the wheel. In fact wheel steering often offers both more convenient operations and more convenient installation of the steering lines.

Special Features

Unique Double Servo System Like other vane gears of its type, the NAVIK differs in one important respect: The windvane sensor does not govern the servo-oar directly. Instead the windvane is connected to a small trim-tab on the trailing edge of the servo-oar. The oar in turn is a servo-device for turning the boat's main rudder. This unique double servo system has the effect of increasing the sensitivity of the vane gear, allowing it to operate better and under conditions when other self-steering systems do not work.

Weight and Materials of Construction

The frame, supports, vane mast and paddle shaft of the NAVIK are fabricated with heliarc welded stainless steel. The windvane, turret, control mechanism and linkages are made from injection molded lexan. These high quality materials provide great strength and low weight, little wear and absence of corrosion. The installed weight of a NAVIK vane gear is only 30 lbs. This low weight is especially important on smaller yachts and boats of light displacement.

Safety Features

When not in use the servo-paddle of the NAVIK can be removed from the water and either stored on the windvane mast or inside the boat. Paddle removal is easy and fast and protects the gear when powering, at anchor or in bad weather.

The paddle shaft and paddle are further safeguarded by an overload kick-out mechanism, which will release the servo-oar if, for example, an object is struck in the water. In a few moments the oar can be reset and the gear is ready for use again.