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 Wind Direction Indicator Install		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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drakej
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts
Initially Posted - 04/15/2010 :  10:45:14  Show Profile
I am a new owner and am planning on installing a Windex 15 wind indicator at the top of the mast. Before I start I am wondering if any of you have any words of wisdom based on past experience for me to consider before I start.
Drake Johnson
Andiamo
'02 Catalina 250WB #654
Folsom Lake, CA
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superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts
Response Posted - 04/15/2010 :  11:09:12  Show Profile  Visit superbob's Homepage
Add a set of shroud mounted wind direction indicators - - Wind-Tels from West Marine. They're sold in sets of two - for port and starboard. This beats watching the top of the mast.
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 04/15/2010 :  11:30:09  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
Make sure to use thread lock on the base & retaining nuts & bolt. The wind gods decided I no longer needed mine during a storm last year. The entire shaft disappeared, leaving the base and retaining bolt behind. I think if I'd had it thread locked it wouldn't have worked loose.
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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts
Response Posted - 04/15/2010 :  12:39:49  Show Profile
If you get a lot of wind shear on your lake as we do on ours, then the masthead Windex will give you a more accurate reading. The angle between the tabs needs to be 60 degrees.
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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts
Response Posted - 04/15/2010 :  16:17:24  Show Profile
I always have a problem with spider webs on mine. This year I'm going to spray it down with spider repellant and see if that helps. I get webs dense enough to effect the vane.
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts
Response Posted - 04/15/2010 :  17:10:27  Show Profile
I raced for many years without a masthead wind vane, but, after using one, learned that it's a tremendous aid to steering a boat with extraordinary accuracy. It'll tell you exactly when to stop the turn after a tack or gybe, and it'll tell you exactly when you're "in the groove." I stopped using my sail mounted telltales for steering. I only use them to be sure the sails are trimmed correctly, but now use the masthead vane for steering the boat to follow the wind on the windward leg. That means I'm watching the vane about 80% of the time during a race, and it'll definitely give you a sore neck, but, if you want to go fast, you have to make sacrifices. It's more accurate, because it's situated up high, above the turbulent air that is disturbed by your own sails, and the disturbed air of other boats. Also, it'll alert you to lifts and headers earlier than any other telltales.
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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts
Response Posted - 04/15/2010 :  20:11:03  Show Profile
If you plan on installing a antenna at the top be sure and get the extender for your windex or it will not function banging on the antenna.
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jbkayaker
Captain

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USA
299 Posts
Response Posted - 04/16/2010 :  10:08:53  Show Profile
I have a Windex that pivots ON my VHF antenna. My only complaint is that it is off the center line of the boat. That makes it a little harder to read than the centered Windex I had before I added the antenna.

See www.defender.com
Windex AV Antenna Mount Wind Vane
Item #: 612031
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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts
Response Posted - 04/16/2010 :  15:42:23  Show Profile  Visit Prospector's Homepage
Buy lots of spare arrows. I break one per year. Birds like them too.
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zebra50
Captain

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USA
408 Posts
Response Posted - 04/17/2010 :  06:20:18  Show Profile
I had a problem with the birds until I replaced mine with one that had the spike to keep birds away. Now the only problem are the spider webs.
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 04/17/2010 :  08:31:39  Show Profile
Not to disagree with Steve or Derek (which would be kinda stupid), I also liked my Wind Tels on the main shrouds. They can show you the wind at the level of the draft of the sails, which one could argue is important, without the neck bending. I also had a mast-head vane, and never believed in the tabs because the apparent wind angle is affected by the boat speed. But I didn't race my C-25.



(The little plastic "feathers" don't last for more than two seasons--unless you remove the devices from the shrouds when not sailing. But Defender sells the plastic feathers separately.)
Edited by - Dave Bristle on 04/17/2010 08:59:25
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danandlu
Navigator

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USA
175 Posts
Response Posted - 04/17/2010 :  09:01:54  Show Profile  Visit danandlu's Homepage
I installed a new indicator before Chesapeake's first launch. It had the bird spike (plastic threads) on which I used thread lock along with the metal threads. The next season the spike fell to the deck and bounced into the drink. When I installed a second indicator I noticed some of the plastic threading from the spike still in the mount of the first. This time I did not use thread lock on the spike's plastic threads. So far so good.
Edited by - danandlu on 04/17/2010 12:29:21
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts
Response Posted - 04/17/2010 :  09:12:45  Show Profile
No disagreement here, Dave. I also like them on the shrouds, but the vane gives you information that the telltales on the shrouds don't.
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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts
Response Posted - 04/18/2010 :  08:57:08  Show Profile
Here's another option: Have your wife ask you why the wind vane is sitting on the counter in the galley AFTER you just cussed the mast up in 40 degree temps and 15 knot winds!. Looks like we're gonna try the ones that mount on the shrouds this year!
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 04/18/2010 :  11:25:37  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
Hah, have almost been there... We were raising the mast and I noticed the lack of windbird when it was at about a 45 degree angle. Crank it back down, unbolt it, move forward so I can get to the top of the mast & install it. Makes for a grumpy wife when you don't stick with the checklist...
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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts
Response Posted - 04/18/2010 :  18:00:36  Show Profile
Another positive on the Wind-Tel shroud indicators...they save your eyes when the sun is high....
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crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts
Response Posted - 04/19/2010 :  10:35:46  Show Profile
I used to have a Windex, but a storm blew it off. So replaced it and a seagull sat on it and broke it and I decided (I don't race) to Heck with it and went back to cassette tape on the upper shrouds. One cassette lasts for a lifetime.
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drakej
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts
Response Posted - 04/21/2010 :  10:14:54  Show Profile
Thank you all for the response to my question and sharing you experience. The wind vane is now installed and I will see how well it works this Saturday for the Trans Folsom Regatta.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.