Suggestions for anemometer

[mattonthesea]

My partner has a slight deficit as a sailor;she can't read the wind. Despite taking to navigation very quickly; and no problems with sea sickness; and loving the cruising life, she has difficulty working out where the wind is blowing from and what to do with the sails.

So, as the mast is down, I said I would add an anemometer to the instruments. She thinks that the visual input will help her even if the display won't help with the subtleties of sail trimming.

My question is, then: what are people's experiences and recommendations for an anemometer/wind direction instrument? Nothing fancy; just something to help her learn.

Thanks

M

 

[Graham_Wright]

Suggest she uses her face. Equal pressure on each side as she turns her head should work.
It does for my crew.

 

[johnalison]

Although I'm a wind-on-neck sailor, a Windex is really the only instrument anyone needs. A wind instrument is nice if you can afford it, and it is easier than looking up the mast all the time, but there is a temptation for people to steer by the wind angle, when they need to be using all their senses.

 

[mattonthesea]

Suggest she uses her face. Equal pressure on each side as she turns her head should work.
It does for my crew.

Tried that for several years. Final straw was a deliberate change of course leading to unintentional gybe.

 

[mattonthesea]

Although I'm a wind-on-neck sailor, a Windex is really the only instrument anyone needs. A wind instrument is nice if you can afford it, and it is easier than looking up the mast all the time, but there is a temptation for people to steer by the wind angle, when they need to be using all their senses.

Totally agree - just doesn't work for her!

 

[fisherman]

You do have tell-tales? Down in the sight line?

 

[PaulRainbow]

My partner has a slight deficit as a sailor;she can't read the wind. Despite taking to navigation very quickly; and no problems with sea sickness; and loving the cruising life, she has difficulty working out where the wind is blowing from and what to do with the sails.

So, as the mast is down, I said I would add an anemometer to the instruments. She thinks that the visual input will help her even if the display won't help with the subtleties of sail trimming.

My question is, then: what are people's experiences and recommendations for an anemometer/wind direction instrument? Nothing fancy; just something to help her learn.

Thanks

M

If you just want something cheap and cheerful Matt, look at NASA. If you want something to match other instruments, we'd need to know what you already have.

 

[mattonthesea]

If you just want something cheap and cheerful Matt, look at NASA. If you want something to match other instruments, we'd need to know what you already have.

Paul, did you describe something marine as cheap...?

No, the main match, and not important, is that the display could fit in the redundant NASA GPS repeater slot. But I can work around that fairly easily.

 

[Refueler]

Paul, did you describe something marine as cheap...?

No, the main match, and not important, is that the display could fit in the redundant NASA GPS repeater slot. But I can work around that fairly easily.

Well you've answered it yourself ... Nasa ... the displays are all to a standard Nasa size.

The question then is ... wireless or wired ??

But would a Windex arrow at masthead be enough ?? ... without need to have cables etc. ??

My windex took a 'flyer' one year and all I had was the two angle arms left ... so I 3d printed an arrow ... been up there for about 4 years now ... I mounted it on the VHF antenna.

 

[mattonthesea]

It's interesting to hear all the ideas but I'm afraid I'm ahead of you! I've tried all of them over eight years: windex, tell tales, wool on the stays, face to the wind including blindfold. I have ideas for why but that's not for this forum.

The anometer is for non-theoretical sailing: keep the needle here; or don't let it go past here. Or, keep this course and adjust sheets according to the needle position. That sort of thing. She thinks that will work and I'm prepared to try it.

 

[rogerthebodger]

It looks like you are looking for wind direction .

Do you require wind speed.

Where do you need to view the needle from.

Is the top of the mast OK or do you need it a cockpit / steering station position.

I have an anemometers on the front of the mast head with a display viewable for steering station at deck level.

I also have a windex at the aft mast top that can be seen from my steering station

My anemometer sensor cannot be seen at the top of the mast from the steering station

 

[mattonthesea]

It looks like you are looking for wind direction .

Do you require wind speed.

Where do you need to view the needle from.

Is the top of the mast OK or do you need it a cockpit / steering station position.

I have an anemometers on the front of the mast head with a display viewable for steering station at deck level.

I also have a windex at the aft mast top that can be seen from my steering station

My anemometer sensor cannot be seen at the top of the mast from the steering station

Yes wind direction is what's wanted and in cockpit

 

[rogerthebodger]

Yes wind direction is what's wanted and in cockpit

OK something like the NASA would do what you need plus a indication of wind speed

You may be able to mount it on the pulpit if its just direction that is important

A windex on the pulpit may also give you what you need

 

[PaulRainbow]

The OP said in post #5 Windex was not suitable !!!

 

[rogerthebodger]

The OP said in post #5 Windex was not suitable !!!

Because they are normally positioned at the top of the mast and the OP need a wind direction to be seen from the cockpit

Mounting on the pulpit will allow it for b seen while steering the boat depends on the boat arrangements.

Paul I am thinking outside of the box

 

[ChromeDome]

Nothing fancy..

Sad that the Windex doesn't do it as it indeed is simple, both to install and use.

At home I've replaced a 7 year old weatherstation because the wind-showel-wheel bearings transformed itself to a brake.

Up went the next generation - with a sonic anemometer - no moving parts at all. Fancy? More than a Windex but works fine and the instrument gives useful details (average wind, gust, direction, min, max. and then some).

Not mine (has temp and humidity sensors too), but similar:

 

[ithet]

As the mast is down the OP might as well fit a wired unit. There are actually four NASA units to choose from (like everything NASA do why make just one configurable unit when you can make many variants). But the NASA Wind (V2) would be the cheapest wind direction/speed unit and will probably exactly fit the existing cut/out and will provide what the OP has actually asked for as it will display apparent wind direction and wind speed for sail setting. (The NASA Clipper Tactical version would display true wind if a NMEA183 Log or GPS input was available, but I do not think this is what the OP wants) . I have no experience but have read some comment on the durability of the mast head units.

Units from Raymarine/B&G etc are much more expensive, although their mast head units may be more reliable, and they would show true wind if connected with suitable systems (which is why Paul asked what you already have).

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Because they are normally positioned at the top of the mast and the OP need a wind direction to be seen from the cockpit

Mounting on the pulpit will allow it for b seen while steering the boat depends on the boat arrangements.

Paul I am thinking outside of the box

But if mounted in the cockpit it will be affected by the wind diverted by the mainsail. The reason you put a windex at the masthead or ribbons on the shrouds is they are in clear air, either to windward of the sails or above them.

 

[mattonthesea]

Thanks all. NASA does the job, is relatively inexpensive and reliable. Wired version going in next time I see the boat (May!)

 

[rogerthebodger]

But if mounted in the cockpit it will be affected by the wind diverted by the mainsail. The reason you put a windex at the masthead or ribbons on the shrouds is they are in clear air, either to windward of the sails or above them.

Yes I know that which is why I suggested the windex is places in the pulpit on the bow out of the way of any wind from the main sail of the jib

The only issue may be proper visibility from the cockpit