Aries Windvane - how good are they?

[Nick]

.
One for sale on Ebay here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aries-Self-steering-Vane-Unit-/272994304484

[wully]

Aries and Hydrovane seem to be the No.1 choice and are said to be more powerful.

Never used one but would be put off by all the string required in the cockpit, especially if you’ve a wheel steered boat. Reading accounts of folk using Aries worn through rope seems to be a recurring problem.

Horses for courses?

[Nick]

.
Don't think a horse is the answer.

[Nick]

.
The Aries I was watchng went for £911 - too rich for my blood I'm afraid, though I did get quite excited towards the end.

[wully]

Kin ell....

[Nick]

.

'parently it's quite a good price for a second hand Aries. It was the Mk5, the one where you can (relatively) easily get the paddle out of the water.

I am looking for something that (if possible) doesn't cost a quarter of what I paid for the boat though.

[Nick]

.
Well, I've bought three quarters of a Navik from a bloke in Dawlish. Now I need to work out how to get it up here.