Patrick,
To answer your own question, you’ll want to peruse Cape Horn’s web site, http://www.capehorn.com . It’s worth taking
your time there. You’ll learn a lot. A long-winded answer to your specific question is at
http://www.capehorn.com/sections/Comparaison/Anglais/ComparaisonAnglais.htm .
I had a Monitor on my last boat and was satisfied with it. My personal reasons for considering a Cape Horn
windvane for my P424 ketch are:
– Cape Horn can utilize a shorter wind paddle, allowing clearance beneath the mizzen boom.
– My boat came with davits, which I want to use when appropriate. According to my measurements the Cape Horn
will mount close enough to the transom to allow room for that. The Monitor would stick out too far, at least
on my boat.
– The Cape Horn appears to be better adapted for steering by a low-draw tiller autopilot when motoring. The
low draw is not such an issue – you’re likely to be motoring when using the autopilot, anyway, especially with
a Cape Horn – but since my boat doesn’t yet have a heavy duty autopilot, being able to use a much less
expensive tiller pilot is likely to save me a few thousand dollars – even if I buy two tiller pilots to carry
a complete spare.
– With the Cape Horn, I’ll avoid steering lines running across the cockpit.
– If their claims and multiple testimonials are to be believed, Cape Horn is the only windvane capable of
steering downwind in light air due to its superior design characteristics.
– Incredibly, the Cape Horn is actually a thousand dollars less expensive than the Monitor: $3,795 (for a
custom-built Pearson 424 unit) vs. $4,790 ($4,295 base + $495 wheel steering adapter).
– The Cape Horn design is so much more elegant, not a jungle gym on the boat’s transom.
I don’t think you’d regret getting a Monitor windvane, Patrick. I just believe the Cape Horn is a better
alternative.
Tor
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Silver Heels, P-424 #17
http://www.SilverHeels.us
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Original Message
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