Monitor wind vane

[lancerno1]

I have bought a Monitor, in need of some care. It needs some parts that would be quite expensive to buy new and to be honest not really worth it.

Now I don’t mind spending out on new bearings, pivots etc but I was wondering if anyone had a damaged Monitor or even some odd bits lying around that they wanted to dispose of.

In particular the vane pivot rod including the gear at the top and plate at the bottom, the brackets that fix onto the boat and the wind vane paddles. Any other bits would be useful as spares.

I don’t mind paying a fair price and can travel to pick up or pay for carriage.

 

[[70521]]

This might be better in the Wants sub forum.

 

[Blueboatman]

That is quite a lot of components you’re missing

The bearings shims, spring clips and such can be acquired in a kit from the manufacturer and constitute a pretty good standard overhaul or ‘service kit’

Anyone with access to a stout bench vice and drill and hacksaw ( and patience) can make new mounting feet , the older pattern are easier to fabricate but IM less neat than the U shape newer ones

The linkages and top gear I can offer no suggestion with other than to keep asking as said.
At some point in that vanes development history the manufacturer moved away from 304 stainless steel. Some early ones are known to have crevice corrosion cracks on the main frame , so it’s always worth giving it a good clean and Look-see particularly where rust stains at the welds show ..

With access to a lathe or mig welder or just thread taps I suppose -and patience- you could of course make your own missing linkage parts that will do the job .
The manufacturer has great part drawings on its website.
It may also be worth casting the wanted net a bit wider, onto the US sailing sites (cruisers net and such like and even Craig’s List) it is an American made piece of kit and there are a lot of them out there by now!
Quite a good winter project you have on there , best luck .

 

[Goldie]

Not the solution you’re looking for, but Robin Sims at Sims Marine and founder Robin Sims | Hampshire UK is ‘Mr Monitor’ in U.K. He could certainly re-build the unit but I suspect he could also provide the components for you to do it yourself.

 

[lancerno1]

That is quite a lot of components you’re missing

The bearings shims, spring clips and such can be acquired in a kit from the manufacturer and constitute a pretty good standard overhaul or ‘service kit’

Anyone with access to a stout bench vice and drill and hacksaw ( and patience) can make new mounting feet , the older pattern are easier to fabricate but IM less neat than the U shape newer ones

The linkages and top gear I can offer no suggestion with other than to keep asking as said.
At some point in that vanes development history the manufacturer moved away from 304 stainless steel. Some early ones are known to have crevice corrosion cracks on the main frame , so it’s always worth giving it a good clean and Look-see particularly where rust stains at the welds show ..

With access to a lathe or mig welder or just thread taps I suppose -and patience- you could of course make your own missing linkage parts that will do the job .
The manufacturer has great part drawings on its website.
It may also be worth casting the wanted net a bit wider, onto the US sailing sites (cruisers net and such like and even Craig’s List) it is an American made piece of kit and there are a lot of them out there by now!
Quite a good winter project you have on there , best luck .

Yes pretty much what I have decided, brackets and vanes probably quite straight forward the main problem would be the gear I may have to buy one at about £200 I think casting stainless would be beyond my capabilities ?
Luckily the vane is the later 316l stainless so still pretty solid

 

[lancerno1]

Not the solution you’re looking for, but Robin Sims at Sims Marine and founder Robin Sims | Hampshire UK is ‘Mr Monitor’ in U.K. He could certainly re-build the unit but I suspect he could also provide the components for you to do it yourself.

Yes he sounds like a good contact I’ll give him a try

 

[Kukri]

Robin Sims rebuilt mine. He is the Monitor agent in the UK. First class man and very capable.

 

[Kukri]

Robin also rebuilt my Whitlock Mamba steering gear… he dismantled the lot, took it away and it came back as good as new right down to a freshly powder coated pedestal. His remarks during the dismantling, as he “excavated” downwards, gearbox by gearbox … “I did that.. they must have brought it to me … I didn’t do that … I certainly wouldn’t do that!” stick in my memory!