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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
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SeaHunter
Deckhand

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USA
20 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/12/2026 :  15:13:46  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hello, its been a while and finally decided to yank the boat and bring it home for repairs, washing, waxing and installing a windex.
For some reason it looks like this boat has never had one.

How/where is the windex mounted on yours?

I'm assuming drilling small holes in the mast head.

Also my main sail has no tell tales? Is this usual or have y'all added them?

Thank you in advance for your responses.
2005 Catalina 250 WB #821 "Dream Catcher"
Edited by - SeaHunter on 05/12/2026 15:17:00

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3508 Posts
Response Posted - 05/12/2026 :  20:44:56  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I thought there was a place on top that the Windex was attached, however, when I bought my boat, I soon after had the mast wiring replaced and replaced the anchor light with an LED Photo-diode anchor light (turns off in sunlight). The new anchor light needed to have a custom plate made and the mechanic that installed it, also attached my new Windex to that plate (as well as the VHF antenna).

My main sails have always had telltales but apparently some sailmakers either do not provide them or provide them as an option. I replaced my sails twice and both times with Quantum sails and each time they came standard with telltales.

I believe Davis Instruments still sells stick-on telltales.
Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html
Edited by - OLarryR on 05/12/2026 20:48:59
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5466 Posts
Response Posted - 05/13/2026 :  20:10:47  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Larry, the Davis stick-on tell tales work fine and will last for many seasons.
Regarding a windvane or windex mount, the one on Passage is mounted on a rod that’s offset by about 10” away from the mast top VHF aerial - so it can swing freely without interfering with the whip antenna.
There’s a threaded hole on the mast top assembly into which is screwed in a #6 bolt.
That bolt supports a stout 10” horizontal metal rod that points aft of the mast top.
Threaded into the other end of the rod is the base of the windex.
This allows the VHF antenna to stick straight up from the mast and provides a 360° omnidirectional signal for the antenna.
The advantage of having the windex offset aft of the mast is that I can see the entire pointer, and can better judge the wind direction and wind shifts. I’ve really come to depend on it.
So much so that a friend of mine who has a catamaran without a windex just makes me crazy. When I’m at the helm on his boat, I’m always looking up to read the wind. He often chides me saying, “I still don’t have a windex, just feel the breeze on your face”.
That just doesn’t work for me so I often pinch into the wind.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5914 Posts
Response Posted - 05/14/2026 :  03:57:50  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
One of the best uses of the Windex is for tacking. Without a Windex, most people turn the boat past closehauled on the new tack, and then crew has to laboriously grind the heavily loaded jibsheet up to closehauled. By watching the Windex during the tack, the helmsman can stop the turn at closehauled and save crew that hard winch grinding.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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SeaHunter
Deckhand

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USA
20 Posts
Response Posted - 05/14/2026 :  04:52:08  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thank you for the info. I'm going to look into the rod offset or two small holes in the side of the casting. I sail on mountain lakes in the upstate of SC so I only use a handheld VHS but someday I may trailer down to the coast where a more powerful signal may be important.

I ordered Davis stick on telltale from Amazon.
2005 Catalina 250 WB #821 "Dream Catcher"
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5466 Posts
Response Posted - 05/14/2026 :  06:33:39  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I found my offset mount. It’s a Davis WindTrack Universal Mount.
Here it is on Defender’s website.

Davis Deluxe Universal Masthead Mount
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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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.