Nasa wind cups (again!)

[Ardenfour]

Having now lost my 3rd set of these in 18 months, I wonder has anyone modified the fastening of these crappy cups to make them more secure. The last set I fitted I followed instructions to the letter, with the addition of a dab of superglue over the circlip, but to no avail. A groove machined in the pin for the circlip to engage in would help but I would have to desolder the wires in the unit to get it off the mast (boat is afloat)
Any other suggestions please? (other than chop it off and get a Windex)

 

[Viking]

I did what you did and it held. But I noticed, before our 'hurricane', in a earlier 'blow' I have lost one cup of the three. But it held for 3 years!

 

[contessaman]

Having now lost my 3rd set of these in 18 months, I wonder has anyone modified the fastening of these crappy cups to make them more secure. The last set I fitted I followed instructions to the letter, with the addition of a dab of superglue over the circlip, but to no avail. A groove machined in the pin for the circlip to engage in would help but I would have to desolder the wires in the unit to get it off the mast (boat is afloat)
Any other suggestions please? (other than chop it off and get a Windex)

cant help, but having read many similar posts to yours, and having had a B&G on the last boat, I picked up a complete but ancient B&G hornet system off ebay for £80 and the entire MHU is aluminium and built like a brick s@*thouse. So much for technology. maybe its time to send the nasa to davey jones and go retro?

nasa should be ashamed of themselves. Im sure all owners of this unit ould gladly have paid an extra £20 or £30 and had it all made of metal. its not the cost of replacement its the hassle of it being at the top of the mast.

 

[Seajet]

cant help, but having read many similar posts to yours, and having had a B&G on the last boat, I picked up a complete but ancient B&G hornet system off ebay for £80 and the entire MHU is aluminium and built like a brick s@*thouse. So much for technology. maybe its time to send the nasa to davey jones and go retro?

nasa should be ashamed of themselves. Im sure all owners of this unit ould gladly have paid an extra £20 or £30 and had it all made of metal. its not the cost of replacement its the hassle of it being at the top of the mast.

+ 1 !

 

[cid]

wind cups

Hi I had same problem. Found Shiver Me Timbers Post 11/08/10. Wind Cup Modification pictures. I followed the suggestions and have just repaired the unit . I have still to test it.

 

[macd]

Dear Mr Halcyon33,
we are sorry you are experiencing difficulty with our wind cups, and are therefore delighted to inform you of our new service policy.

In future all defective units will not only be replaced free of charge, but will be re-fitted in situ by our highly skilled staff. He is easily recognisable by his bushy white beard, striking red and white NASA uniform and propensity for going "Ho-ho-ho".

Yours,
S Claus
NASA consumer relations

 

[Seajet]

Hi I had same problem. Found Shiver Me Timbers Post 11/08/10. Wind Cup Modification pictures. I followed the suggestions and have just repaired the unit . I have still to test it.

CID,

Good Luck !

If the cups do stay on, there's just the rest to pack up...

I reverted to a Windex and wool tufts on the shrouds years ago, far better ( except at night but the masthead light does illuminate the windex ) - as for windspeed, I can tell when I'm concerned / a bit frightened / scared silly/ Beam Me Up Scotty/ ...

 

[prv]

I reverted to a Windex and wool tufts on the shrouds years ago, far better ( except at night but the masthead light does illuminate the windex ) - as for windspeed, I can tell when I'm concerned / a bit frightened / scared silly/ Beam Me Up Scotty/ ...

I wasn't going to say it, but I too am quite happy without an electric wind indicator (or "damn whirly thing" as the boat's previous owner called it). I had intended to fit one, didn't get round to it for a season, then realised I didn't miss it.

Pete

 

[macd]

I wasn't going to say it, but I too am quite happy without an electric wind indicator (or "damn whirly thing" as the boat's previous owner called it). I had intended to fit one, didn't get round to it for a season, then realised I didn't miss it.Pete

Couldn't agree more. The Windex tells me apparent wind direction. The boat tells me when it needs a reef.

 

[Ardenfour]

Thanks all. My windex has disappeared also so looks like another trip aloft on the cards. I can always sail without them, but I like gadgets and if things are fitted I want them to work.

 

[sailorman]

have you spoken with Nasa about the continuing bad design

 

[Burnham Bob]

mmmmmm.... i hope she never sees this but SWMBO can't get the hang of a windex and a picture of a boat with an arrow showing where the wind is hitting the boat makes life much easier.

my trusty Autonic system is playing up at the moment so it may be time for a replacement - it won't be NASA. Although to be fair, a chandler told me they sell more NASA wind systems than anything else and don't get many complaints.

 

[Seajet]

mmmmmm.... i hope she never sees this but SWMBO can't get the hang of a windex and a picture of a boat with an arrow showing where the wind is hitting the boat makes life much easier.

my trusty Autonic system is playing up at the moment so it may be time for a replacement - it won't be NASA. Although to be fair, a chandler told me they sell more NASA wind systems than anything else and don't get many complaints.

Burnham Bob,

with respect the makers of ejection seats of crashing aircraft boast about 'we don't have many complaints' too !

Another of the snags with the NASA masthead kit is the c****y needle spindle rather than bearing the things run on, in the unlikely event the cups are still turning...

I had an original Autonic windspeed system, when 'caught out' in a dodgy situation I didn't like the look of, my then fiancee kept switching it on and the readings confirmed the worst.

I ended up snapping at her 'turn it off, you'll wear out the battery ! ' before quietly pocketing a miniflare pack - not required in the end but I did wonder afterwards about 'sailing by numbers, not feel'.

On any size boat I'd strongly recommend telltales on the shrouds, just 6" tufts of wool will do, preferably a dark colour to show in sunlight, some people make them red & green 'to denote which tack one is on under racing stress', and they're in one's line of sight when looking out.

For SWMBO & telltales, Swallows & Amazons gives a good basic guide for running, probably the most dangerous point of sail - windex, burgee or telltales blowing toward the main, good; blowing away from main, probably not so good, helm down or prepare to gybe, heads down !