Propsective 1st boat owner - query re wind instruments

[stylo]

Hi all, assuming the vendor fixes a few small issues we'll be getting our first yacht soon an MG 335, older but with some TLC we hope she'll be great for our needs.

The wind speed is measuring OK as far as we can tell but the direction indication is missing. I've a few images below to help hopefully identify what we may need. I;m quite practical so hope to install replacement parts yself if possible. Though not that excited about going up the mast of course.

Any suggestions appreciated - hopefully the images provide some clues.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

It looks very much like your wind direction sensor is damaged. Hard to tell, it’s hard to see and photograph that area but I think theres just a stub of plastic left up there. You might be able to buy a replacement part, get a better shot of it from maybe a quayside at low tide when the masthead is nearer. And though I’m keen on wind data, I think I’d schedule that for when you next have the mast out. Then do the lot, any standing or running rigging that needs replacing, bulbs, wiring etc. You don’t absolutely need that wind direction to go sailing.

 

[wallacebob]

Definitely need new halyards! Is that the topping lift cutting the sheave box?

 

[scozzy]

Wait till mast comes down and do it then,along with the halyards which,as an absolute minimum need a good wash!!
A quick Google search should give you the right masthead unit to correspond with your cockpit tech,in the meantime stick a wet finger in the air till you get on the hard for a proper look at everything

 

[stylo]

Thanks

yes lines need a good wash indeed - not used the past couple of years. Assuming all goes ahead will get them down and cleaned up. I think the topping lift just has some crud up there, do not think is cutting into the box

 

[Bodach na mara]

There are a few things that appear to be adrift apart from the rope work. The plastic thing sticking out above the backstay on the aft side of the masthead with a bit of co-ax sticking up through it is the mounting for a combined wind inditator and VHF aerial. The whole of the unit seems to have blown away, which is not uncommon. It doesn't need renewed as there is already a replacement aerial forward on the starboard side and you don't really need the wind vane as it is literally a pain in the neck to use it as it doesn't have a link to any readout in the cockpit instruments. There is, on the forward side of the masthead, the sensor for a wind instrument but only the windspeed rotor can be seen. There should also be a wind vane that gives an indication of apparent wind direction on the left hand of your three displays. Or maybe the right hand display marked Tridata.

As to whether the seller will fix any of this, that depends. As they say, caveat emptor, which in Latin and is often translated as "you're stuffed mate."

 

[NormanS]

I have tape tell tales fastened to the shrouds.

 

[dunedin]

There are a few things that appear to be adrift apart from the rope work. The plastic thing sticking out above the backstay on the aft side of the masthead with a bit of co-ax sticking up through it is the mounting for a combined wind inditator and VHF aerial. The whole of the unit seems to have blown away, which is not uncommon. It doesn't need renewed as there is already a replacement aerial forward on the starboard side and you don't really need the wind vane as it is literally a pain in the neck to use it as it doesn't have a link to any readout in the cockpit instruments. There is, on the forward side of the masthead, the sensor for a wind instrument but only the windspeed rotor can be seen. There should also be a wind vane that gives an indication of apparent wind direction on the left hand of your three displays. Or maybe the right hand display marked Tridata.

As to whether the seller will fix any of this, that depends. As they say, caveat emptor, which in Latin and is often translated as "you're stuffed mate."

Yes the bracket at the back is for a Hawk Windex and VHF aerial - but looks like the aerial has been replaced by a new one.
Personally I very much like a simple (non electronic) vane at the masthead for sailing - and manoevering. Especially when the electronic ones can and do fail.
We have precisely that - a Hawk Windex no longer used for VHF, separate VHF and Raymarine sensor - this last currently off the mast and under repair as its anemometer jammed.
Dead easy to replace the Hawk as one nut into the existing bracket.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

We have a wind vane, useful downwind for us. We use our wind instrument mainly for VMG. I don’t cate where I’m pointing as long as I’m getting where I want to go efficiently. You need the full monty up your mast for that.

 

[stylo]

Yes I quite like the analogue vane also, so that looks to be a simple and low cost item to replace. Possibly the feed into the instrument for apparent wind is resolved with the service kit link

Not expecting the owner to fix this - pretty low priority in the big picture but good to get some ideas on what may be needed

 

[johnalison]

A wind meter is not essential but can be of great use, if only to save having to look aloft all the time, and especially if it can be linked to generate TWS. All will be revealed when the mast comes down, or, better still, you summon up the nerve to go up the mast, which should be in every owner’s repertoire.

 

[Goldie]

The wind speed is measuring OK as far as we can tell but the direction indication is missing.

I think the wind instrument is a Raymarine ST50 so I think you need a wind vane for one of those. If you can’t get just the vane, you may be able to get a complete wand which is an easy fit. AFAIK, the item for the ST60 range is not compatible.

 

[dunedin]

I think the wind instrument is a Raymarine ST50 so I think you need a wind vane for one of those. If you can’t get just the vane, you may be able to get a complete wand which is an easy fit. AFAIK, the item for the ST60 range is not compatible.

Raymarine ST50 Masthead Service Kit (E28081)