Look Mom... No Hands!

How a Windpilot steers my sailboat

Since setting to sea sailing Avemar in late 2021, I’ve tried to add systems to help me easily control the boat in any situation as I primarily sail alone, often in the ocean on long trips.

Every time I sail, a Windpilot Pacific steers the boat. In fact, I purchased a B&G H5000 computer and a T2 hydraulic ram autopilot over a year and have yet to install it.

I raced for over 30 years and had never used a wind-powered steering system, although I did research them and still drool over the Cape Horn!

But, Avemar came with a Windpilot and while it’s a little quirky, once the sails are properly set for the course and the vane is adjusted, I have to admit… it’s magic.

Enjoy this video where I explain how self steering works while the Windpilot is steering Avemar from Beaufort, NC to Solomon’s Island, MD.