Wind Vane Problem

[hummingway]

The culprits are Purple Martens. I love the little guys; they're very entertaining but one of the things they like to do is use the wind vane like a Merry-Go-Round. They land i=on it and it spins round giving them a ride. Unfortunately it seems to have done something to the vane so it flukes a lot and when it does read seems to read in reverse.

I'm guessing the vane is bent but don't really know. I haven't climbed to the top yet but wondered if anyone had dealt with a similar problem and could give me an idea of what to expect up there? If it's bent will it be possible to straighten it? What are some replacement options?

[Sir Rondo Normal]

To straighten it nicely might necessitate a second trip up the mast, if you were to have to bring it down to straighten it. I'd be more inclined to replace it with either a Davis with the bird spike or with one or two that mount on the shrouds where chicken hearts like me aren't afraid of ascending to.

[hummingway]

I haven't hear of mounting them on the shrouds. I like that idea. You can actually see the things.

[Sir Rondo Normal]

Unfortunately I can't say how well they work, as I only discovered them on the Davis web site after I had bought the one with the bird spike.

[hummingway]

My gauges are B&G. It looks like the masthead unit is over $1000. Makes the $30 shroud vanes look pretty good! I guess I'll try straightening but a couple of vanes on the shrouds seems like a good idea.