Fitting a wind vane to a V-tronix whip

[lampshuk]

Hi, all.
Our 1988 Moody 31 has a Vi-Tronix whip and no masthead windvane (just a NASA indicator that is starting to fail: another story and possibly a post for help on the topic)
I have read with interest the various threads on VHF antennas and wind indicators.
The "best" thing to do would be to replace the whip and co-ax with a Metz and Ultraflex and fit a separate windvane.
And replace the NASA kit with something a bit more reliable (though, to be fair, it's lasted 33 years and just needed new cups every now and then)
But that's a mast-down project.

Has anyone fitted a Hawk (or other) windvane to an existing whip? Any tips/advice?
I can't see a place to buy the Hawk wind indicator they sell adapted for the V-Tronix whip (I have just sent an email via the Hawk site).
I don't really feel like buying a complete set just to get the vane.

I don't think it's as simple as cutting the top off a "normal" Hawk vane.

Any advice much appreciated, as always.

 

[lampshuk]

Or I could just do a different Google search.

V-Tronix YHI Hawk VHF Replacement Wind Indicator

Although the illustration there does look just like a normal hawk windvane without the stick.

 

[VicS]

I dont think the Hawk fits the standard V-tronix aerial

The one with the hawk fitted appears to be sheathed in some way up to where the wind vane is fitted..

 

[lampshuk]

Ah, yes. So it does.
I suspect the Marinestores part is actually just a replacement for the vane, not a "retro-fit" package.
I will wait for an email back from Mr Hawks. Apparently he's out until Thursday.

Might just tape a strip of spinnaker material to the whip in the meantime (I think I will go up the mast tomorrow PM to retrieve the NASA in the vane hope I can fix it).

 

[Beneteau381]

Hi, all.
Our 1988 Moody 31 has a Vi-Tronix whip and no masthead windvane (just a NASA indicator that is starting to fail: another story and possibly a post for help on the topic)
I have read with interest the various threads on VHF antennas and wind indicators.
The "best" thing to do would be to replace the whip and co-ax with a Metz and Ultraflex and fit a separate windvane.
And replace the NASA kit with something a bit more reliable (though, to be fair, it's lasted 33 years and just needed new cups every now and then)
But that's a mast-down project.

Has anyone fitted a Hawk (or other) windvane to an existing whip? Any tips/advice?
I can't see a place to buy the Hawk wind indicator they sell adapted for the V-Tronix whip (I have just sent an email via the Hawk site).
I don't really feel like buying a complete set just to get the vane.

I don't think it's as simple as cutting the top off a "normal" Hawk vane.

Any advice much appreciated, as always.

I found out that a spare bit of eber fuel pipe was a good fit on the metal antenna, I put enough on so that the top was a foot or so up the antenna, the vane then fitted ok with another bit of pipe on top to stop it slipping off

 

[lampshuk]

Thanks, Beneteau. It looks as though the vane of the standard Hawk is solid, so would need drilling or slicing to fit half way up a whip. Did you modify a standard one?

 

[MikeCC]

Thanks, Beneteau. It looks as though the vane of the standard Hawk is solid, so would need drilling or slicing to fit half way up a whip. Did you modify a standard one?

The vane assembly has a hole in it to fit over the antenna. However, the other point is that the sheath on the lower part of the Hawk proper stops it flexing too much so the indicator doesn't waggle around.

The antenna, vane and the different bracket can be supplied without the cable. The connector into the base is the same. PM me if interested.

 

[zoidberg]

Might just tape a strip of spinnaker material to the whip.....

I've found the best material for that task is mini-cassette tape. There's a version which is 'luminous green'.....
And I always tie a V-ribbon of the stuff onto the shrouds, just above head height. Especially appreciated in driving rain.

 

[lampshuk]

Thanks, both.
I don't think I have any old cassettes left, Z, but that's a good use for them ((finally!)

Here is the response from Adrian at Hawk:

Unfortunately I would not recommend fitting a Wind Indicator to that antenna.

The V-Tronix Hawk Antenna has an aluminum bottom rod to stiffen it and a reinforced base to take the extra structural loads of carrying extra weight and momentum on the antenna.

I have seen people do it, but I don't think it has ever been successful.

 

[Beneteau381]

Thanks, Beneteau. It looks as though the vane of the standard Hawk is solid, so would need drilling or slicing to fit half way up a whip. Did you modify a standard one?

Thanks, Beneteau. It looks as though the vane of the standard Hawk is solid, so would need drilling or slicing to fit half way up a whip. Did you modify a standard one?

no drilling etc, slide the piece of tight fitting fuel pipe over the antenna , drop the spinny thing on, then another piece of pipe to hold it on. use washers if you like as bearing surfaces. Mines been up there for over 8 years

 

[lampshuk]

Thanks, B. I went up and had a look at the whip yesterday. It's very "whippy" so I must admit I'm tempted to follow the advice of Hawk and replace the whole setup. I come back to my original point, though: you must have had the modified windvane to be able to put it on the whip without modification, is that correct?

Having said that, I also brought down the NASA windvane which is looking a bit sad, so might be in for a wholesale replacement activity with mast down. I didn't enjoy the experience, and don't relish the prospect of a whole bunch more fiddly work to put them back again.

 

[VicS]

Thanks, B. I went up and had a look at the whip yesterday. It's very "whippy" so I must admit I'm tempted to follow the advice of Hawk and replace the whole setup. I come back to my original point, though: you must have had the modified windvane to be able to put it on the whip without modification, is that correct?

Having said that, I also brought down the NASA windvane which is looking a bit sad, so might be in for a wholesale replacement activity with mast down. I didn't enjoy the experience, and don't relish the prospect of a whole bunch more fiddly work to put them back again.

Yes the standard vane has a jewel bearing which sits on top of a pointed top to the "mast"
The vane for the V-Tronix version slides down the whip part of the aerial and has a nylon bearing washer to sit on

Maybe it would be possible to modify the standard vane but it really needs an aerial with a rigid lower section to carry the reference arms etc

The website describes the various versions of the Hawk and has links to the installation instructions
Hawk Marine Products, Wind Indicators

.

 

[Beneteau381]

Thanks, B. I went up and had a look at the whip yesterday. It's very "whippy" so I must admit I'm tempted to follow the advice of Hawk and replace the whole setup. I come back to my original point, though: you must have had the modified windvane to be able to put it on the whip without modification, is that correct?

Having said that, I also brought down the NASA windvane which is looking a bit sad, so might be in for a wholesale replacement activity with mast down. I didn't enjoy the experience, and don't relish the prospect of a whole bunch more fiddly work to put them back again.

It wasa wippyone, the fuel line is stiff, it stiffens the wippy, that is why i did it

 

[Beneteau381]

Yes the standard vane has a jewel bearing which sits on top of a pointed top to the "mast"
The vane for the V-Tronix version slides down the whip part of the aerial and has a nylon bearing washer to sit on

Maybe it would be possible to modify the standard vane but it really needs an aerial with a rigid lower section to carry the reference arms etc

The website describes the various versions of the Hawk and has links to the installation instructions
Hawk Marine Products, Wind Indicators

.

As I said, i modified mine with some eberspacher fuel pipe which is pretty rigid. Its been up there for long enough

 

[LittleSister]

(I think I will go up the mast tomorrow PM to retrieve the NASA in the vane hope I can fix it).

I see what you did there!