Automatic direction control for sailing boats - uses double axis wind vane to operate auxiliary tiller to maintain boat in set direction relative to wind

摘要

The controller uses a wind oriented vane to operate an auxiliary rudder on a sailing boat so that the boat automatically maintains the set sailing direction in relation to the wind direction. The wind vane is mounted above the superstructure of the boat and is free to pivot about a horizontal axis supported by a frame which is free to pivot about a vertical axis. The rotations in horizontal and vertical planes are transmitted by rods to the auxiliary rudder mounted belowthe water line at the rear of the boat. Facilities are provided to disengage or to lock the wind vane and the auxiliary rudder when automatic operation is not required.