CapeHorn
Self-steering gears

There are two ways to make a boat steer itself: electric pilot, or self-steering gear.
In long distance cruising or passage making, it is best to use a self-steering gear that does not consume electricity and never gets tired. Regardless of the strength of the wind or the state of the sea, it maintains a constant angle to the wind.
The stronger the seas, the more an electric pilot consumes and the more likely it is to let you down.
A CapeHorn gear combines these two modes of steering, wind and electric: when the wind is absent or irregular, the vane can be replaced by a tiller pilot that controls the paddle of the self-steering gear, which still provides the power to move the rudder. Thus, the smallest pilot will steer even a large boat effortlessly, at the cost of a few milliamperes.

There are two ways for a self-steering gear to maintain a constant point of sail:
– An auxiliary rudder controlled by a wind vane, the rudder of the boat being blocked.
– Or using the rudder of the boat.
However, a vane alone being too weak to act directly on a rudder its impulse is amplified with the help of a paddle planted in the water behind the boat. Rotating vertically under the impulse of the vane, it is forcefully driven sideways by the water flow, providing the energy to pull the rudder.

CapeHorn uses the rudder of the boat for three reasons:
Better performance, especially in heavy weather, the rudder of the boat being more efficient and bringing the boat back on course more quickly.
Better performance in light air, especially downwind: it takes less wind to rotate a narrow paddle than an auxiliary rudder.
Drag of a paddle is negligible; drag of an auxiliary rudder is appreciable.

To set the course, the turret is rotated so that the wind hits the vane on its edge; As soon as the boat wanders off course, the pressure of the wind on one of its faces tilts the vane. As it tilts, it rotates a paddle planted in the water at the back of the boat, which is pushed sideways with force by the water flow. This force is transmitted to the steering gear through control lines that pull the rudder to bring the boat back on course.

As soon as there is enough wind to carry sail, CapeHorn will steer, even downwind. And as long as canvas can be carried, even beyond.

Racers generally prefer to rely on an electric pilot that maintains a compass heading. But a self-steering gear maintains a constant angle to the wind and reacts to wind oscillations, so the sails always work at their maximum efficiency.

Two examples:

Summer of 1983. A few months after returning from its round-the-world voyage, with a reduced crew and steered by the Cape Horn prototype 90% of the time, the Alberg 30 Jean-du-Sud won the third leg of the Gulf Cup (Îles-de-la-Madeleine – Gaspé, 150 miles) against more recent boats with racing sails and helmed by seasoned crews.

In preparation for the Governor’s Cup (1750 miles between Capetown and Saint Helena in the Atlantic), Ian Williams, racing solo against crewed yachts, equipped his boat with a CapeHorn to double his electric pilot. After a day at sea, the engine broke down and could no longer recharge the batteries. Ian Williams completed the race with his CapeHorn and finished second in class.

Photo Ian Williams

Several ways:

Click on “Documentation”, then “Boats steered by CapHorn” to access the list of boats we have already equipped, the model needed and its dimensions for a perfect fit.

In “Documentation”, consult the PDF “How to measure” which indicates the measures needed to adapt a CapeHorn to a given boat.

Click on “Request a quote” and send us photos illustrating the stern of your boat, the inside of the lazarette and steering gear belowdecks. If there is a bimini, an arch, davits, solar panels, etc, include photos. We will recommend the most elegant way to make your boat steer itself and guide you in the measuring.

We know that wheel center on a hydraulic steering is not constant due to leakage of fluid inside the circuit; this is why leading the lines to a drum on the wheel in the conventional manner does not work. But as the Jean-du-Sud and Spray models are integrated into the boat, the lines can be led internally through blocks fastened to a short tiller (which can be the same as the one used by the hydraulic system), then to jamming cleats in the cockpit for instant connect, disconnect or trim. However, a bypass valve is needed when CapeHorn is at the helm.

The integrated Jean-du-Sud and Spray models use only 4 inches of space behind the boat. A dinghy under davits is only this much farther aft.
On the Varuna and Joshua outboard models used on a scoop stern, the windvane tower is at the front end of the horizontal axle, against the transom and a dinghy can be hoisted above the scoop.
The vane can be located below or above an arch or solar panels, depending on their height.

The final price varies depending on the model and its dimensions. Click on “Request a quote”.

All the hardware needed to fasten the gear on the boat is included; however, blocks and hardware needed to lead control lines to the steering gear are not, being different in number and type for each boat. They are acquired locally.

Marine quality! We are sailors: before each CapeHorn self-steering gear is shipped, we make sure it is free from manufacturing defects and we could use it ourselves around the world. It is guaranteed against damage caused by sea or wind for a period of 3 years after delivery.

A CapeHorn self-steering gear is strong enough and wear-resistant in the first place and does not need spare parts. However, in the event of loss overboard, some owners prefer to double detachable parts such as vanes, crescent that connects them to the turret, or paddle.
The only part that needs to be replaced is the bungee cord that connects the blade to its stock and allows it to break away in the event of an impact; it needs to be replaced after a season or two, as it stretches over time.