Raymarine ST40 or NASA Clipper

[sealegsjim]

I am considering buying a wind indicator for my boat. It has ST40 log and depth and I was thinking of buying an ST40 wind indicator. However, the NASA Clipper is considerably cheaper and to me it looks like a nicer display. Is there a reason why it is so much cheaper? Any advice/experience would be very much appreciated

 

[Twister_Ken]

NASA whirligigs have a long and undistinguished history of shedding their cups.

 

[simonfraser]

you get what you pay for in this world.
tacktick much simpler to install and you can easily move the displays.
mine 5 yrs old, good kit.

 

[Caer Urfa]

I am considering buying a wind indicator for my boat. It has ST40 log and depth and I was thinking of buying an ST40 wind indicator. However, the NASA Clipper is considerably cheaper and to me it looks like a nicer display. Is there a reason why it is so much cheaper? Any advice/experience would be very much appreciated

My Nasa unit works fine, nice large easy to see digital readout (also backlit at night) spares are cheap and easy to fit when required,( had mine three years with no problems) other may be good with a few more gimicks but at the price of others you can buy 2 NASA units!

 

[Seapepper]

I have had Nasa Clipper wind speed and direction units in both previous and my current boat. Both have been completely reliable and the guys at NASA are really helpful. I would be happy to use any NASA equipment. Excellent value for money.

 

[Gwylan]

The cups on the NASA unit are made of rubbish plastic that does not survive more than 2 seasons, in my experience. Shame really the rest of it is value for money.

Customer service seems to think that cups falling off after 2 seasons is OK!
'Just buy another set' - £13.

They do not mention the cost of getting up there, or the minute little nut that you have to undo and not drop onto the deck in order to change the thing!

Doing said little nut up after replacing the gizzmo is not that easy either.

Am I bitter? Yes and £150 out of pocket.

 

[doug748]

My ST40 has been very good. The rotavecta seems an excellent idea, birds find it difficult to perch on and it has revolved for 10 years without problem.
I agree the screen is a bit iffy. If it conked out I would probably take it off and not bother.

 

[earlybird]

I believe that Raymarine acknowledge that their Rotavecta transducer is slightly less accurate for wind direction than the vane type transducer. The NASA, beimg a vane type might be better in that respect than the ST40.
OTOH, the ST40 will interface easily, via seatalk, with your log to give true wind.
I always think matching instuments look nice.
Depends what you want !

 

[pvb]

Agreed. Already having ST40 instruments would seem to make it sensible to go for the ST40 Wind system. And, judging by previous posts on the forums, people who are happy with their Nasa wind systems are in the minority!

 

[Seajet]

Speaking as someone who's had a NASA Clipper wind job, 'only lasting 2 seasons' is wildly inaccurate; mine lasted 11 months, at which time I was told where to insert my guarantee.

Then I was daft enough to buy a replacement, which I noticed was a different design; that lasted about 14 months.

For the sake of all that's holy, please go for the Raymarine - if you really need a wind instrument at all, in my experience only really useful for discussions in the club bar, my first unit was a gift I felt obliged to fit; I know when I'm frightened without a guage, and the wool telltales & Windex show the direction...

I think it is significant that when my boat was used for a magazine review, the obviously experienced chap took one glance at the NASA wind & depth, and asked " do they work ? ".

 

[Pasarell]

Wind Instruments

Sorry to go against the grain here!
ST40 wind installed 2 years ago on the boat I bought this year. Worked fine for the first 2 months I had it then the direction packed up - speed OK. I've tried recalibrating many times and now given up.
At SIBS Raymarine were of no help whatsoever!

 

[pvb]

I've tried recalibrating many times and now given up.

Have you linearised the transducer?

 

[alahol2]

You really don't need wind instruments other than to fill in another column in the log book or (as Seajet says) to talk about in the bar. Spend the money on something more useful or drinkable.

 

[sealegsjim]

Thank you all for taking time to reply to my question - it looks like the ST40 is better quality and will fit in with my existing instruments so that is what I shall go for.

 

[antcollins]

Have you linearised the transducer?

Am coming to the end of my first season since fitting my ST40 wind. On the whole I am very pleased with it. I was advised by a Raymarine dealer that it was not suitable for yachts only powerboats though as it did not have close hauled indication. Anyway it's been fine for me.

The rotor vector has been overcome by spiderwebs at times though. God knows what the local spiders are eating mind! It has taken around 10kn to shift it on two occasions.

It may be me but I think raymarine manuals (I have read a few) are absolutely pants. They are not clear and lack real detail or explanation. If you were uncertain in anyway then get some help with calibration. Am still working on finally setting up mine for accuracy of wind direction. The email support is not always as helpful as you might want.

The sea talk functionality sold it for me and when I had got through the **** manual and asked about on here setting up the daisy chain was easy and true and apparent wind is useful.

 

[doug748]

It may be me but I think raymarine manuals (I have read a few) are absolutely pants. They are not clear and lack real detail or explanation. If you were uncertain in anyway then get some help with calibration. Am still working on finally setting up mine for accuracy of wind direction..

It is not you, the ST40 manual is hopeless.

In common with many, it speaks of settings (linearisation, calibration?) without any explanation of what the setting is, what it does and what can go wrong.

 

[pvb]

It is not you, the ST40 manual is hopeless.

In common with many, it speaks of settings (linearisation, calibration?) without any explanation of what the setting is, what it does and what can go wrong.

I have to disagree. The ST40 Wind manual tells you exactly how to install it and set it up. If you follow the instructions, it works. Why do people have so much difficulty following instructions?