Clipper Wind Direction and Speed Why do I need it

[thesaintlyone]

With the mast coming down on Ohana this week ready for a check over and the fitting of various bits such as Roller Furling, Nasa Super Nova Tri-Colour, I wondered what else I should have up there and inevitably came to a Nasa Clipper wind speed direction Instrument. Now I not debating the whys and wherefores of Nasa Clipper systems cause that's what the budget is but why do I need one if I'm not racing or trying to squeeze every extra ounce of speed out of the boat don't forget its a Westerly Longbow 31 so more plodding that flying along which is fine by me ?

Thoughts????

 

[Graham_Wright]

It gives you wind and pressure history which is useful. It also acts as a windex.

 

[[163233]]

You don't, but it would be excellent motivation for a regular mast-climbing based exercise regime.

 

[thesaintlyone]

Do I still need the windex or is it best practice to have both

 

[bitbaltic]

I once sailed with a bloke (on Gipsy Moth IV no less) who banged on about his experience until he took the helm. Failing to notice that Sir Francis’ long bust wind instrument had not moved a single degree all day, and also failing to notice where the wind was coming from, he took the helm and immediately gybed.

You don’t need the instrument for most relaxed sailing but a windex- which will last decades for a few quid- is useful and a good investment. Standing on deck before sweating up the halyard, for instance, i’ll Always glance to the windex to be sure the missus REALLY has got the boat head to wind before I start. She’s almost certainly staring at the wind instrument (as would the autopilot be, in a manner of speaking, if it were doing the job).

 

[Stemar]

On a cat, you may need it to tell you when to reef as some, at least, don't feel over pressed until they fall over or something breaks. A monohull should tell you when it's time to reef without relying on instruments, so the main purpose is bragging rights - "I survived 60 knots in an Anderson 22..."

 

[bitbaltic]

On a cat, you may need it to tell you when to reef as some, at least, don't feel over pressed until they fall over or something breaks. A monohull should tell you when it's time to reef without relying on instruments, so the main purpose is bragging rights - "I survived 60 knots in an Anderson 22..."

Nobody takes an A22 out in any less, though.

 

[[70521]]

You don't need it, but it is nice to have some form of instruments to confirm what the wind is telling you.

 

[jwilson]

You will almost always have better things to spend money on than a wind instrument. Especially if you have sailed dinghies. I do like a Windex though at times.

 

[RobF]

A windex and some tell tales on the sails will provide you with most of the info you need. I've been through a couple of Windexes (fat seagulls sit on them and break them), but they're cheaper to replace than wind instruments

 

[Daydream believer]

A windex is fine, especially if it is a combined one on the VHF aerial. Keeps the seagulls at bay.!!
However, one can get a stiff neck constantly looking up. If it is sunny & the sun is in line with the mast head or one is wearing a peaked hat so has to tip the head further back, then it is uncomfortable. Forget woolies on shrouds , they are pretty useless
A wind instrument at deck level saves looking up & is good at night. Tricolour nav lights do not always light the windex. There are solutions, but why bother if one has a nice display at deck.
As for wind speed , it is nice to know. One does not need it to know when to reef. The boat tells you that. Sea state & damp or hot dry conditions will alter the wind speed that you have to reef, so wind speed is not the only factor.

 

[bitbaltic]

A windex is fine, especially if it is a combined one on the VHF aerial. Keeps the seagulls at bay.!!
However, one can get a stiff neck constantly looking up. If it is sunny & the sun is in line with the mast head or one is wearing a peaked hat so has to tip the head further back, then it is uncomfortable. Forget woolies on shrouds , they are pretty useless
A wind instrument at deck level saves looking up & is good at night. Tricolour nav lights do not always light the windex. There are solutions, but why bother if one has a nice display at deck.
As for wind speed , it is nice to know. One does not need it to know when to reef. The boat tells you that. Sea state & damp or hot dry conditions will alter the wind speed that you have to reef, so wind speed is not the only factor.

Assuming the tricolour does light the windex, I much prefer that at night. A few years ago I did the RORC series on a big Bav that had its wind instrument in the coaming- miles from the helm. On a soaking night with F7 wind it was unreadable from the helm. Windex wasn’t.

 

[Minchsailor]

I used to think that having a wind display at the cockpit was a bit of a luxury, but mine has recently failed and I do really miss it - the Windex is OK, but it is pain to constantly have to look to the top of the mast, but I especially miss it when doing slow speed manoeuvring, such as picking up a mooring.

 

[Seajet]

I used to think that having a wind display at the cockpit was a bit of a luxury, but mine has recently failed and I do really miss it - the Windex is OK, but it is pain to constantly have to look to the top of the mast, but I especially miss it when doing slow speed manoeuvring, such as picking up a mooring.

Try a couple of 8" lengths of wool in ' line of sight ' about 5' up on the aft shrouds

 

[Daydream believer]

Try a couple of 8" lengths of wool in ' line of sight ' about 5' up on the aft shrouds

useless

 

[neil_s]

I just like my Clipper Wind. The tell tales on the sails are the most useful indicators, though.

 

[Seajet]

useless

How so with such a damning comment ?

Shroud telltales have served me well for 48 years, and a lot of better sailors for centuries.

Just because you paid for a thing that lights up and shows UNCALIBRATED digits with a decimal point, doesn't make it better than Mother Nature

 

[William_H]

Wind instruments would be lovely when first working. However you are embarking on a lifetime of frustration as they are very susceptible to damage. This from birds who land on it (or here parrots that eat the bits) also from clashing with other masts in a tight marina. All this plus the usual failings of electronics in the weather. With of course the difficulty of access. No you don't need instruments. A windex can be fine (I make my own) but you also have that jib in sight telling you about wind direction when on the wind. olewill

 

[pcatterall]

My NASA is still working well after 3 years without attention.
yes we use bits of wool and the tell tails as well. I guess its partly because we have a dog house and the wheel is more forward so we would find a windex difficult.
Also we like the positivity in terms of wind speed, we have a real reading of the wind speed rather than guessing.

 

[Graham376]

Yes, Windex are good but ours keeps getting knocked out of line by birds landing on it. Cockpit display is far better, particularly when sailing with a bimini.