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 NASA Clipper Wind Instruments		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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dmarion
1st Mate

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Canada
67 Posts
Initially Posted - 10/24/2022 :  09:57:22  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Has someone experienced the NASA Clipper wireless wind instruments? Manufactured in England and much cheaper that the Raymarine and Garmin of this world. They seems to be quite popular in Europe end other parts of the world. There are several dealers in the US as well.
Daniel Marion
Zendo
Cat 250 WB 2001 Hull #592
Valleyfield, QC,
Canada

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5307 Posts
Response Posted - 10/24/2022 :  21:14:14  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The Clipper wireless system for me rings up at about $540, or 1/2 a boat buck. Here’s the model I’m seeing.
https://www.amazon.com/Clipper-Wireless-System-Complete-Display/dp/B00ODQYVSE
It looks pretty nice for the price. I wonder what the longevity and reliability record is like?
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
Edited by - Voyager on 10/25/2022 10:24:05
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dmarion
1st Mate

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Canada
67 Posts
Response Posted - 10/27/2022 :  06:21:17  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
From what I have read, the Clipper is as reliable as its competitors. It is sold in european northern countries where the conditions are pretty harsh. In Canada, there is only one dealer who told me that the people who bought it are satisfied. I hesitate in investing about $1,500CDN is a Garmin or Raymarine. After all, my boat is small and more than 20 years old. I use it on a lake 5 months a year. But still, a wind instruments would be very useful. I will buy one for next summer and report on the experience.

Have a great winter! if there is such thing :-)
Daniel Marion
Zendo
Cat 250 WB 2001 Hull #592
Valleyfield, QC,
Canada
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5881 Posts
Response Posted - 10/27/2022 :  07:54:17  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Before you invest a lot in any wind instrument, you should consider whether you'll really benefit from it enough to justify the cost. Wind instruments generally provide two bits of information - wind speed and wind direction. Knowing the exact windspeed isn't very important, because the wind doesn't blow at an exact speed. It puffs and lulls. All you need to know is the approximate wind speed range. Is it a genoa day or a jib day? You'll learn that quickly by experience and you don't need to be an "old salt" to figure it out.

IMO, the only useful function of a wind instrument is indicating wind direction. If you do a lot of night sailing, a lighted wind instrument tells you how to trim sails and steer when sailing closehauled or downwind or any point of sail in between. At night you can't see your windvane or tell tails, but you can steer and trim sails by referring to a wind instrument.

In daylight, you don't need the wind direction function, because you can see your wind vane and tell tails and woolies on the shrouds.

So, it's a good investment if you plan to do a lot of night sailing. Otherwise, you should consider something you'll find more useful, such as a gps, or a handheld vhf, or perhaps a telescoping whisker pole.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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dmarion
1st Mate

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Canada
67 Posts
Response Posted - 10/28/2022 :  14:12:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Good points, Steve. Actually, the only real benefit I see with a wind instrument, at least in my case and especialy since I do not sail at night, is that I would not need to keep my head up all the time to check the windvane. It is certainly not a must have but a nice to have (toy). Did I say toy? Oops! :-)
Daniel Marion
Zendo
Cat 250 WB 2001 Hull #592
Valleyfield, QC,
Canada
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9043 Posts
Response Posted - 10/28/2022 :  20:08:08  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Some folks play with their McIntosh audio toys, some with their B&G sailing electronics toys--I've seen both... "The only difference between men and boys is..." I've got Simrad broadband radar etc. on my little $+!nkp*+, and would have difficulty impressing anyone with a cost/benefit analysis.
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
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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.