PaIn In ThE nEcK

[seafox]

Thanks. I have tried that. Funny thing is it works ok 50 percent of the time and then is constantly out 30 to 40 degrees the rest of the time. You just cant trust it any more, especially down wind.

[S/V Elusive]

You are sure you are on Apparent and not True? If on True, your CALCULATED True Wind Direction (and Speed) will also rely on your boat speed transducer ... and how clean it is.

[seafox]

Definately apparent. No wires to anything other than the power and the mast head unit.

[Raven]

From the sounds of it you've got something sticking up there. I've had similar problems after my boat has been sitting for a while - especially in the fall. Turns out that spiders get up there and wrap the vane up with their webs. (Spiders can "fly" considerable distances from shore by "balooning." Essentially, they climb a tree and spin themselves a kite to travel with the wind. I've had spiders land on my deck while miles from shore.)

[Sunspot Baby]

Mine is also sensitve to cold, working OK when it is warm. Answer to that problem in my case is "take the boat south."

George

[rtbates]

I look at my sails and their telltales.

They tell me all I need to know unless the wind is very light.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by rtbates

I look at my sails and their telltales.

They tell me all I need to know unless the wind is very light.

True, but it's also nice to have the additional aids working properly. I find the wind indicator particularly useful if I want to temporarily put an inexperienced person at the helm. Rather than explaining the use of the telltales, I just ask them to steer a course that keeps the wind direction at (x) degrees.

It is also necessary to have things functioning properly if using the autopilot in wind vane mode.

[Songline]

Originally Posted by irwinsailor

I am having the same problem with my B&G gauges. I will be replacing them with Raymarine!

I took my B&G appart and found a couple of cold solder joints. Re-soldered and this fixed the intermittent problem I was having. It seemed that everytime it was time to set up to drop the hook the depth gauge would stop working. I think the engine vibration at that speed would knock out the circuit. I also had a Garmin that packed it in, No signal in. Tried different antenae. Just before ordering a new one I thought I would take it appart. I used a film loupe and checked things out and found a single strand from braided wire had fallen across the input connectors signal pin to ground. Enough to kill the input signal. Removed it and all is well. I figure if anything electronic is working for you it's a good day.

Peter

[seafox]

My apparent wind indicator has packed up and as a result I spent the last few days craning my neck looking up at the windex indicator. Now that I am home my neck is real stiff and sore (like I slept on it wrong).
Do any of you have this happen? It is not good

This thread sort of went mechanical when it was really a medical type question.

I ended up in quite a lot of pain for 2 months and ended up going to the doctor. It got to the point where I couldn't sleep at night or even sit in the car for more than 10 mins. My last trip on the boat i was in so much pain that I had to lay down all the time.

The doc referred me to a physio and he has sorted it out real good. Even has helped me with some exercises for an old back injury.

Pain has gone, know how not to let it happen again and not going to fix the instrument.