Remove anemometer in winter?

[ghostlymoron]

I have a Raymarine wind instrument and I have had to replace the anemometer (mast head unit). I was wondering if it would extend the life of these expensive units if they were removed during winter when my boat is out of the water. Winter gales would, after all, have it whizzing around which must affect bearing life. Does anyone else do this? Now - where is that bosuns chair and obliging underweight crewmember?

 

[tillergirl]

I had to have mine replaced under warranty after water was found inside it. The general view was this was because I dropped the mast each winter and the unit was liable to water ingress while laid on its side. So I remove mine each year!

 

[2Tizwoz]

Removal stops seagulls from crashing into them so they're still there in the spring.

A smear of silicone grease on the electric connection helps to keep them right.

 

[emsworthy]

I have had to replace the bearing on our B&G masthead unit this year because it was left on whilst the mast was down and water and grit got in and ruined it. B&G recommend removing it each year at lay up time.

At £90 for just the bearing and over £600 for the whole thing, you can guess what I'll be doing in future!!

 

[vyv_cox]

My boat is now 25 years old, in my ownership for 14 of them. The B&G anemometer has been at the masthead throughout my ownership and probably since new. The bearings began to get a bit sticky about 10 years ago, when I had them replaced. Otherwise no problems with them. One point is that the cup moulding material becomes very brittle after a few years. Once when having the mast taken down something touched them and they shattered like glass. Now I carry a spare just in case.

 

[lw395]

B+G Masthead Units

My B+G eventually failed after about 10 years up the mast.
As they are so expensive, I would consider getting it serviced every five years or so, replacing the o rings etc will help keep the water out, which is what mine died of.
Tinley Electronics can service and repair them BTW.
The flip side is that you need something effective to seal the electrical connector while the unit is off. Silicone grease and a proper metal cap is a good answer.

 

[Boathook]

I'm all for removing masthead units and this now includes the tri-light during the winter months when not in commission. As the mast stays up even when ashore it is a good way of also inspecting standing rigging, etc.