WINDHUNTER

Hello folks,

There will be those of you that remember the WINDHUNTER thread of a short time ago.

Well I was a little scathing of this system. I had doubts about its reliability and repairability. I was concerned that when YM asked for a WINDHUNTER for testing WINDHUNTER refused. Well all of the hard work has paied off. WINDHUNTER wrote to me, I got thier letter yesterday. They were kind enough to enclose a deal of info about thier product. I have to say that it looks and sounds very good. I am still a little puzzled about the product description and about how the basic unit gets it power, but that is my problem. If all that WINDHUNTER claim, is true, then this is a very good idea and a very well built one. The entire system is powered by the flow of water past the hull, the flow of water turns a towed (or strut mounted) turbine, this provides hydralic power. this power runs the RAN that is connected to either the rudder gear Apparentlt WINDHUNTER Supports Tillers, Wheel, Hydralic steering). I am not sure about this fluid loginc? I am willing to belive that it is reliable and that it works, I am just concerned that if it does break, and at sea every thing does break sooner or later, how do you fix it. I would love to hear from someone that has a WINDHUNTER. Please tell us all, how good is it?

Maybe James Boyd from YW would like to comment he did do a test on this item some time ago, James?

You can contact WINDHUNTER on 0181 501 0050 ask for Sackville Currie, say I sent you.

Simes

Hi Everyone. Actually there are responses from some users scattered thro this thread. Dave

Fluid logic devices are not terribly new, I recall an overview lecture on them during my undergraduate years. My recollection of exactly how they function is pretty hazy after all these years, but I do remember that one can construct devices which can sense and direct the flow of water or oil in much the same way that transistors sense and direct the flow of electrons. You can then assemble logical operators like AND, OR, NOT etc. and string them together to make fairly simple control automation 'computers' with no moving parts. Since an automatic steering mechanism doesn't require complex logic to perform its functions it would appear an ideal candidate for this technology. Windhunter seem to have solved the problem in a very elegant way. My main concern is that the trailing propeller and line which provides the power could be the weak link in the system. Windhunter does build 'power legs' which should be more reliable but add a significant cost. I wonder if enough power is generated by a boat's own freewheeling propeller to drive the system?