Do I need a Windex?

[Fluter]

Thanks for your valuable observations - really appreciated. Sorry by 'Windex' I meant I have a combined wind indicator/VHF aerial. I plan to replace this with a stub VHF antenna - only 150mm high, which worked well on my previous boat. So the only tangle hazard for the burgee will be the Windex. When cruising the burgee will be up there anyway on a 1m pigstick, which is sufficient for me as manual wind indicator, but for now I think I had better keep the Windex for racing - it will have go on an arm projecting aft of the masthead - at least until I can assess how good my new Raymarine (wireless) electronic wind instrument is. Thanks All.

 

[BelleSerene]

Thanks for your valuable observations - really appreciated. Sorry by 'Windex' I meant I have a combined wind indicator/VHF aerial. I plan to replace this with a stub VHF antenna - only 150mm high, which worked well on my previous boat. So the only tangle hazard for the burgee will be the Windex. When cruising the burgee will be up there anyway on a 1m pigstick, which is sufficient for me as manual wind indicator, but for now I think I had better keep the Windex for racing - it will have go on an arm projecting aft of the masthead - at least until I can assess how good my new Raymarine (wireless) electronic wind instrument is. Thanks All.

if you're going to do that you'll lose range big-time and may as well save yourself the masthead hassle altogether and use a handheld radio instead.

 

[lw395]

if you're going to do that you'll lose range big-time and may as well save yourself the masthead hassle altogether and use a handheld radio instead.

That's not really true, the height gains far more range than the antenna type.
But I can't see the point of a burgee at the masthead.
If you must have one, why not paint the design on a rigid windex?

 

[Athene V30]

I would chuck the instruments and just use a burgee and feel the wind on face / neck. Not into all these fancy electronics.

 

[sailorman]

I would chuck the instruments and just use a burgee and feel the wind on face / neck. Not into all these fancy electronics.

Or engines

 

[drakes drum]

We are currently refitting our recently acquired 27' yacht which will be cruised and club-raced this season. I want to hoist my burgee to the masthead on its pigstick so want to de-clutter the masthead to make room for it. We have a new Raymarine wind instrument to fit and I'm wondering could I live without my Windex and get used to using the electronic wind instrument only (the burgee won't be used when racing).

Does anyone else think a Windex isn't needed anymore where an electronic wind instrument is fitted? Would be good to sound opinion before I chuck it. Thanks.

The key requirement is lots of telltales on the sails. Neither windex nor instrument is much good if you race. Hard on the wind you sheet your sails in and then steer to the telltales, adjusting the track to get them performing uniformly. You cant do any of this with just a windex

 

[BelleSerene]

That's not really true, the height gains far more range than the antenna type.

I stand corrected: you're right, of course. Just seems a shame not to do justice to the faff of putting the antenna up there in the first place.

 

[lw395]

The key requirement is lots of telltales on the sails. Neither windex nor instrument is much good if you race. Hard on the wind you sheet your sails in and then steer to the telltales, adjusting the track to get them performing uniformly. You cant do any of this with just a windex

Very true, windex is more use downwind, particularly near a dead run and when gybing.
It's also handy at night when steering a compass course.

 

[Keen_Ed]

I would chuck the instruments and just use a burgee and feel the wind on face / neck. Not into all these fancy electronics.

Instruments are most useful when sailing at night.

 

[Daydream believer]

I have an aerial fitted windex & a masthead electric vane. gave up the hassle of burgee years ago but still have one on my Phantom as I keep breaking Windex units by sticking them in the mud. I also have a wind indicator on my mast which fits at goosekneck level on an arm just in front. That is very useful
On my squib i have a windex as i tend not to capsize that ( do try though) & a windex can stay up all season without shredding & is more acurate than a burgee

On my cruiser The electric is all i can see at night so is a must sailing downwind at night
During the day i use both electric & manual. However, if a crew is in the way of the instrument I can glance up & get an immediate indication of wind direction
all that about wind on your neck is B..x if you want a good indication of wind. Junk tied to the shrouds are not much use either
Go with your suggestion. Yes electrics do go wrong - but hey you still have the windex
As for Seajets carp about calibrating - RTFM !!!!!

 

[GrahamD]

Keep the Windex if you are racing. As others have noted, it gives real time indication but is particularly helpful when flying a spinnaker, e.g. adjusting pole angle. When you are using a spinnaker you should be looking up anyhow. The last thing you want is for the trimmers to be constantly looking down seeking info from wind instruments.

 

[Babylon]

View attachment 48489

 

[michael_w]

If you put the burgee halyard block in the right place it's perfectly possible to have a burgee on a pigstick, windex and instruments. Admittedly, I do have a stubby VHF anenna. Incidentally, I've found the burgee does a first class job of keeping the starlings, crows, et al off the mast head.