Working out WoodenB, an affordable self build self steering system

Creating affordable windvane self steering

Hello sailor,

It has been clear to me that there is a good interest in very affordable windvane self steering, since the start of Mister Vee.

The response to the last newsletter has confirmed that.

But actually delivering such a system is no easy feat.
I've been trying to figure out a way to be able to offer a cheap system on and off since 2007.

I actually offered super affordable self steering before,] with DIY WALT. This system turned out to be the base from which the current Y&B developed.

DIY WALT taught me how hard it is to offer a self steering solution that is affordable, that can be built with average DIY skills, and is of use when it is finally mounted on the boat.

As it turned out, I did not get that mix right with DIY WALT.
For a minority of customers it was too complicated to build, but those customers then took so much time in support that it was impossible for me to continue offering it.

So where DIY WALT was a kit, with quality materials and drawings to make all the parts with, a new system would need to be more "assembly only".

I think I have an outline now that could work this way.

WoodenB, affordable windvane self steering for eu 500.-- (current target price):

• Has the same layout as Y&B
• Shares some components with Y&B...
• ...But where possible, parts have been replaced with precision machined plywood
• These plywood parts need to be coated and bonded together with epoxy
• All the wood needs to be painted to protect the epoxy from UV radiation
• Does not get direct support from Mister Vee
• Is a puzzle to fit to the back of your boat

Some finer details:

• There is no manual to build the system except for very basic guidelines, there will not be direct support from me.
• I will set up a forum where owners can help each other.
• The system has the same basic outline as Y&B
• The Y&B assembly manual is available for reference
• All but a few of the custom made parts are precision machined plywood
• The plywood has to be glued up together and finished with epoxy, which is not included with the kit
• The plywood parts should only fit together one way
• The pendulum rudder is layered plywood plus a carbon fiber tube
• The pendulum rudder bearings are ceramic ball bearings
• The transmission of the windvane movement is the same as Y&B
• The pendulum rudder can (probably) not be removed for storage
• Besides the gluing/coating, only sanding and assembly would be needed
• After applying the epoxy the plywood has to be painted to protect the epoxy from UV light

Would you be interested in a eu 500,-- (including 21% Netherlands VAT) self steering system as outlined above?
(Please note that this 500,-- euro price target is based on an initial costing)

Please reply to this email if you are interested or have any thought on this kind of offering.

If you would like to be updated with the development of WoodenB regularly, please subscribe to the WoodenB newsletter:
https://www.windvaneselfsteering.com/newsletter/subscriptions

Big news on WoodenB will also be sent out via the general Mister Vee newsletter.

Best regards,
Sven Heesterman