Does size really matter ...... with wind vanes?

[HinewaisMan]

This should probably be in the PBO forum, but there's such a nice bunch of people in Scuttlebutt.

My Raymarine ST60 Masthead Transducer has died the death (don't ask) and new ones aint cheap!

Have tried the "Wanted" forum with YBW for a bit but no joy so it looks like I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy a new one.

Now, the one up the mast is a long arm - 24" from mast head to spinning bits. But you can also get a short arm version, just 12".

What is the difference between a long or short arm (apart from about £100)? Can anyone think of any advantage of the long arm? I can't see turbulence round the mast or tri/anchor light being an issue and if we screw a spinny drop badly enough to trash a short arm, would think we'd do the same if it were long.

Not being local, can anyone recommend a good cheap supplier for this?

 

[Seajet]

Hinewai,

I have no idea where you are but in the Emsworth / Chichester area Greenham Marine are very good at electronics, good service too.

 

[BobPrell]

I thought this thread was gunna be about self-steering.

 

[mjcoon]

I thought this thread was gunna be about self-steering.

Me too; and it's not even about the vane! The word "sensor" would have helped...

Mike.

 

[flaming]

As far as I'm aware the advantage of the long arm is to get the skinny bits further from the back/up wash from the sails and therefore give more accurate readings. Important for race measurements but the difference would be slight in cruising terms.