CapeHorn Marine Products was founded in 1989, the result of synergy between Yves Gélinas, who designed and tested the CapeHorn prototype, and his nephew, Éric Sicotte, who fabricated this work of art in his workshop in Oka, Quebec.
In 2022, Éric retired and production was entrusted to one the first of CapeHorn users, Guy Lavoie. The workshop was moved to Lacolle, near Guy’s home.
Between 1999 and 2004, Guy sailed around the world with his wife, Claire Roberge and their two young daughters aboard Balthazar a 35’ steel sloop. In 2012-2013, they sailed westabout through the Northwest Passage. In all, the CapeHorn gear steered Balthazar more than 55,000 miles.
Guy and Claire still sail part-time. Balthazar is presently on the West Coast of North America.
Custom-built
To ensure a perfect integration between the gear and the boat it steers, each unit is custom-built to the dimensions needed for a perfect fit. Almost instant communication and exchange of photos through the web between CapeHorn and the owner makes it possible to find the most elegant way to make a boat steer itself.
The wetted area of the paddle is proportional to the rudder area, ensuring adequate power, yet minimum drag. Samplings of the tubes used in the fabrication takes into account the size and displacement of the boat.
Material
316L stainless steel, alloy, polished and TIG welded; teak paddle, Teflon bushings; other plastic parts Delrin, Nylatron and high-density polymer. Light air vane spinnaker cloth on a stainless steel wire frame, heavy weather vane anodized aluminium. Weight of Jean-du-Sud or Varuna (standard dimensions) close to 16 kg (35 lbs), Spray or Joshua, 25 kg (55 lbs).
Guarantee
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.
