bigwow
Well-Known Member
I would not change your mind on the opinions of all the MONOHULL contributors, after all if they are hit by a squall they luff up, were as we have to bear away. The only sensible reply you have had is from Talbot IMHO !
Should I bother with wind instruments?
- Thread starter Rivers & creeks
- Start date
William_H
Well-Known Member
Certainly more in a cat than mono you need a definitive wind speed indication. I built a cat many years ago. I discovered that there is a huge load on a cat mast when the wind comes up and you have too much sail. 3 mast failures later I finally got it right but still when the wind got up it just seemed to sail better. The boat would not tell you of its distress until there is a failure.
I seem to be a mono man now last 25 years but I do like cats. I would not fit wind instruments to my present small mono. They are just too susceptible to damage and failure and I can't stand having anything on boat that is not necessary and working correctly.
So yes perhaps you should repair/replace wind speed meter at least but ultimately it is up to you. olewill
I seem to be a mono man now last 25 years but I do like cats. I would not fit wind instruments to my present small mono. They are just too susceptible to damage and failure and I can't stand having anything on boat that is not necessary and working correctly.
So yes perhaps you should repair/replace wind speed meter at least but ultimately it is up to you. olewill
Rob_Webb
Well-Known Member
In my opinion the most useful aspect of a wind instrument has not yet been mentioned.
Forget the wind strength reading, that is rarely essential. Much more important is relative wind angle. This can vary between mildy useful thru to pretty essential depending on conditions.
For sure, when beating to windward in a force 3-4 on a sunny day, you'll be sailing the boat by a combination of feel, tell-tails and apparent wind angle on your face. And you may hardly ever glance at the instrument (unless hard-core racing).
But the biggest advantage is at night when sailing down wind, especially if it's very flat and close to a potential gybe angle (however much you might try to avoid it, it could become inevitable for a short period at one time or another). You probably won't be able to see your windex at the top of the mast unless it is conveniently lit by a masthead light. And at this time an illuminated wind direction indicator will become the new-best-friend of any helmsman charged with keeping you going safely. Likewise, during a berthing manoevure at night in gusty conditions in an unknown port, being able to glance down at the apparent wind direction will be an asset.
Forget the wind strength reading, that is rarely essential. Much more important is relative wind angle. This can vary between mildy useful thru to pretty essential depending on conditions.
For sure, when beating to windward in a force 3-4 on a sunny day, you'll be sailing the boat by a combination of feel, tell-tails and apparent wind angle on your face. And you may hardly ever glance at the instrument (unless hard-core racing).
But the biggest advantage is at night when sailing down wind, especially if it's very flat and close to a potential gybe angle (however much you might try to avoid it, it could become inevitable for a short period at one time or another). You probably won't be able to see your windex at the top of the mast unless it is conveniently lit by a masthead light. And at this time an illuminated wind direction indicator will become the new-best-friend of any helmsman charged with keeping you going safely. Likewise, during a berthing manoevure at night in gusty conditions in an unknown port, being able to glance down at the apparent wind direction will be an asset.
G
Guest
Guest
Are they not? bu99er! when did this happen? You sure you aint a bloke? Naaaaaaaa you is 'aving me on! women as skippers, pah! whoever heard of such a thing? I suppose you will telling me next that they have been allowed to vote! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
oldharry
Well-Known Member
Ex Cat owner - back to Monos now - thank goodness!
bigwow
Well-Known Member
Grown one leg longer than the other then, or do you like getting wet?
Becky
Well-Known Member
Watch it!!
There are many VERY competent women skippers.
I know these things /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
And for what it is worth, there are two comments that are valuable in sensible content on this thread.
Talbot's is one, and Rob Webb's is the other.
I have always used a wind instrument and especially at night. I also find in comforting when the wind sounds awful, but the instrument gives a nice 15-20 knots, which our boat handles really well. Very confidence-making.
There are many VERY competent women skippers.
I know these things /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
And for what it is worth, there are two comments that are valuable in sensible content on this thread.
Talbot's is one, and Rob Webb's is the other.
I have always used a wind instrument and especially at night. I also find in comforting when the wind sounds awful, but the instrument gives a nice 15-20 knots, which our boat handles really well. Very confidence-making.
Bodach na mara
Well-Known Member
Useful link that. I was thinking of replacing my ancient wind meter with an expensive Raymarine one but that makes me think. Anyway, the problems with the one I have now are always at the masthead and can't be fixed until the mast comes down, so a portable makes a lot of sense.
I do wonder about Compass pricing however when they say:-
"£ 44.06
Your special Compass price less 10% online
discount – Catalogue price 48.95." and because of the strike-through, the 48.95 looks like 40.95!
I do wonder about Compass pricing however when they say:-
"£ 44.06
Your special Compass price less 10% online
discount – Catalogue price 48.95." and because of the strike-through, the 48.95 looks like 40.95!
G
Guest
Guest
[ QUOTE ]
Watch it!!
There are many VERY competent women skippers.
Ah well now, The words women and competent, don't seem to me to fit together somehow, I mean, how can ya call yaself competent, when you needs a bloody gizmo to make you feel confident?
Toddle Pip! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Watch it!!
There are many VERY competent women skippers.
Ah well now, The words women and competent, don't seem to me to fit together somehow, I mean, how can ya call yaself competent, when you needs a bloody gizmo to make you feel confident?
Toddle Pip! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
IMHO more important in a cat than most monos, cause you are much more sheltered from the wind.
[/ QUOTE ]
I was going to answer exactly the same, also helps to know that the wind is picking up as reefing earlier is a must. Also on a dead run, SOG and wind, or if really rich a windex that reads true is a must.
It really can be quite stunning how strong the wind is when you turn off a dead run in a cat, especially a twins as you don't get the breeze on the back of your neck.
IMHO more important in a cat than most monos, cause you are much more sheltered from the wind.
[/ QUOTE ]
I was going to answer exactly the same, also helps to know that the wind is picking up as reefing earlier is a must. Also on a dead run, SOG and wind, or if really rich a windex that reads true is a must.
It really can be quite stunning how strong the wind is when you turn off a dead run in a cat, especially a twins as you don't get the breeze on the back of your neck.
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
My wind instruments offer the opportunity to connect to the auto-pilot and steer to the wind. Not sure how useful that is with a cat where the apparent wind moves forward as you accelerate to mach 1.
[/ QUOTE ]
Not so much on a Heavenly Twinge, faster than equv. mono, but not fast compared to over similar sized cats such as wharram or early small prouts.
But you have sooo much space that going a bit slower makes it worth it.
My wind instruments offer the opportunity to connect to the auto-pilot and steer to the wind. Not sure how useful that is with a cat where the apparent wind moves forward as you accelerate to mach 1.
[/ QUOTE ]
Not so much on a Heavenly Twinge, faster than equv. mono, but not fast compared to over similar sized cats such as wharram or early small prouts.
But you have sooo much space that going a bit slower makes it worth it.
Lee_Shaw
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I have always used a wind instrument and especially at night. I also find in comforting when the wind sounds awful, but the instrument gives a nice 15-20 knots, which our boat handles really well. Very confidence-making.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree, at night when I haven't really slept for a day or more and I'm drousy is when it's most comforting.
I have always used a wind instrument and especially at night. I also find in comforting when the wind sounds awful, but the instrument gives a nice 15-20 knots, which our boat handles really well. Very confidence-making.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree, at night when I haven't really slept for a day or more and I'm drousy is when it's most comforting.
Lee_Shaw
Well-Known Member
[quoteI mean, how can ya call yaself competent, when you needs a bloody gizmo to make you feel confident?
Toddle Pip! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
Brave words, I'm a complete wuss and constantly check and re-check when I'm well offshore, tired and alone at night, 3 years after I bought my windspeed and it doesn't seem that expensive anymore.
Toddle Pip! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
Brave words, I'm a complete wuss and constantly check and re-check when I'm well offshore, tired and alone at night, 3 years after I bought my windspeed and it doesn't seem that expensive anymore.
oldharry
Well-Known Member
No - just fed up with being charged double wherever I went! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Boathook
Well-Known Member
Having a cat I find that knowing the wind speed does help especially when on a run and then going close hauled. If my wind instruments packed up I would replace them for many of the reasons mentioned in various replies.
Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
Dang nabit, seems I may have to change my mind again. Anyone got one for sale?!
jonathankent
Well-Known Member
I think if you are tooing and throwing.... you should buy one, or as soon as the mast is stepped you will regret it.
bilbobaggins
N/A
I think you'll find that, if you ask the MOCRA ( Multihull Offshore Cruising and Racing Association ) Safety Officer who is, I think, a delegate to the RORC Safety Committee, and the ISAF Technical Officer - both of whom have extensive multi experience - they will each encourage you to have some form of wind instrument, so you are not caught out by too much sail in too much wind.
A handheld device is, IMHO, a sound and economic alternative.
......Provided it's not a bassoon or a piccolo.
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
A handheld device is, IMHO, a sound and economic alternative.
......Provided it's not a bassoon or a piccolo.
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
What type do you currently have and do you know why it is failing?
Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
Navico Corus. I know it's failing cos it fell off (!) broken at the joint at the top of the mast. These were last made a long time ago so no chance of a new unit - although the actual sensors work the joint is a mess.