A more durable masthead wind indicator?

[CaptainMarkS]

For those with ultrasonic sensors, I’ve heard swaying of the mast in a sea state causes innacurate readings (overstated variable wind conditions). Works fine when stationary. Any first hand experience to share?

As for birds, since we placed a static dissipator on the masthead we had no problems with birds, nor lightning strikes. That’s almost like killing two birds with one strike! https://www.amazon.com/Forespar-Ligh...dp/B000XBDFJO/

[abarrow]

It's really a function of the software used to display the data. In that way, it's not much different from conventional cup and vane transducers. I use a Calypso Untrasonic. I think if I had it to do over again I'd pay the extra money and get an Airmar.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by CaptainMarkS

For those with ultrasonic sensors, I’ve heard swaying of the mast in a sea state causes innacurate readings (overstated variable wind conditions). Works fine when stationary. Any first hand experience to share?. . .

I've been using ultrasonic wind since 2013. First a Maretron WSO100 and then a couple of different versions of the LCJCapteurs CV7.

No special issue with boat motion. Other than the fact that the linearity curve is different from mechanical ones, so hard to calibrate with a racing computer like an H5000.

I am contemplating going back to a B&G mechanical wind instrument for this reason, but otherwise very happy with the CV7. If you're not racing, and not doing such exquisite calibration, the CV7 is a pretty perfect solution, and birds won't break it.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by abarrow

It's really a function of the software used to display the data. In that way, it's not much different from conventional cup and vane transducers. I use a Calypso Untrasonic. I think if I had it to do over again I'd pay the extra money and get an Airmar.

Do yourself a favor and look at the LCJCapteur ones.

[thinwater]

I think I am going to experiment with a bunch of shroud tell tale types. I have not liked them on other boats because they were either hard to see from some locations or fouled, but maybe I missed something. I know with bow vanes each boat has very specific issues, sometimes solvable, sometimes not, and the answers are different every time.


I like experimenting.



As for the electronic and ultrasound sensors, thanks for the input, it is valuable, but it's not the question I am trying to answer today. But I will come back to that.

[Shaneesprit]

You’re not going to win that one - I think your best bet is the Raymarine one, (because I think you can just unscrew it) but you will need to go up the mast and remove it and then again to put it back each time you sail.

[dcruz99801]

1. Some Windex come with a vertical pointer that might discourage birds, or just make them squat to one side.
2. Home & garden shops sell a strip of plastic 4" long spikes, that are used to discourage pigeons from squatting on the top of walls, and under eaves. They are weatherproof, with screw holes every few inches and stick out on both sides. I am about to try a strip of them on my bare mizzen mast when I get back to the boat.

[barnakiel]

I would understand you want to place the windex elsewhere. They just like it there and this seems not negotiable.


There are commercial grade windexes used by meteomen on the stations, but they are heavy, about 600 grams apiece and upwards. They are also much bigger than the sailors windex.


You can also place a small solid state sensor in between the backstays, below mast top. Then just use the instrument in the cockpit and go windex-less.


Beautiful images.



b.

[thinwater]

I had a bridle vane on my beach cat and loved it. Durable and right where you were looking. Beach cat sailors don't often look up. No time.






I tried shroud yarns on a few boats and didn't like them. They either got damaged, were impossible to see (blocked by hard top), didn't read well (big cabin), got damaged (beach cat trap lines), or tangled (just tied on). or they didn't give me info I didn't have.


Masthead flies aren't much use on a Beach cat or Stiletto 27 (big beach cat), and you can see them from under the hard top of a cruising cat. Also blind when on port tack because of helm position. But it worked well on my F-24, until it was eaten (this is the third time).


I've started testing ribbons and such on the shrouds. They actually seem to work on this tri, with the shrouds WAY far from the mast. I have 5 different types on each side--silly looking, but testing is like that. Several are DIY variants and one is the out-of-production Davis Wind-Tel.


I still find myself looking up when broad reaching. I wonder if the habit will fade. I also habitually look up to check the main leach ribbons. Over sheeting is slow, perhaps the most common cause of slow sailing.



I got a new main last week and I LIKE it! Lighter, Easy to hoist, and beautiful shape.

[janis]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I wonder if there is something more durable than the typical Windex. I've been thinking of attaching yarn to the vane mast.

There are Windexes completely from stainless steel. Like this for example https://www.toplicht.de/en/rigg-sail...tainless-steel

Not sure how strong it is but it's definitely stronger that standart one.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by janis

There are Windexes completely from stainless steel. Like this for example https://www.toplicht.de/en/rigg-sail...tainless-steel

Not sure how strong it is but it's definitely stronger that standart one.

Interesting.

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Do yourself a favor and look at the LCJCapteur ones.

Plus 1 from me.
With no moving parts direction remains very stable even in rough water, there are no weighted bits swinging about complicating the readings by their inertia.