Why have wind instruments?

graham

graham

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On small cruising boats are they just toys?You know when the boat needs to be reefed,You should be able to tell wether its suitable weather to go out in.The masthead units seem to give lots of hassle and arent in a convenient place to fix.

I prefer to keep things simple but must admit there have been times I wished I had Radar times I wished I had a chartplotter-see me transponder -AIS set-Almost every bit of electronics can be a lifesaver on times except the wind instruments IMHO.
 
My personal favourite is the Tuba, although I;d go for a triangle any day...

tuba_4vBB.jpg
 
yes, but what sounds better in the bar "it was quite windy out there today" or "we saw a 34 knot gust"?
 
I think i'd be quite happy without a wind instrument, but on our current boat we have an ST50 nav station which records the wind speed and direction and graphs it over the last few hours... which is seriously useful to see if the wind is steadily building, dropping, backing or veering..... saves making a decision on suspicion!
 
I agree with the comment re wind instruments, because, my wind speed thing is kaput.
I'm in the process of fixing it, only, because it's there!, if I hadn't inherited it with the boat, I would never have bought such a low priority item and had it to bl##dy fix! Bill.
 
That Tuba is up the wrong way! Put it at the masthead like that and it would fill with rain water..(Just a helpful tip) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
They are not necessary,but like many other things once you have them you wouldn't be without them.They do save a crick in the neck when looking at the top of the mast & yes I do have tell tales on each shroud as well.My current boat had a wind instrument fitted which went kaput.I replaced it with a Tacktick instrument which is the dogs doo dahs.I like the close hauled magnified display when going to windward.
Just my opinion of course.
 
My ST60 is there looking good and doing nothing.It failed for the last time and keeping it in place is less work that plugging the hole.I've sailed a few thousand miles without it and never missed it.
 
A windspeed indication is most useful when running, to judge what genoa to put up at the leeward mark. Its hard to guess accurately enough when racing. It does have its uses when cruising imho, but I'm a fairly numerical person.
Can help you make a decision with a building wind, or conversely to try sailing again after motoring through a lull.
As for direction, I prefer a light that illuminates the windex. But a numerical display is useful, eg to tell the helm 'try about 33 deg apparent' if they need a hint to get the best from the boat. Helps to spot changes and problems too.
I agree not as important as a sounder!
But on balance I'd miss it!
 
I don't have a wind instrument because my mast rotates and it wouldn't make much sense. There are two reasons I'd like to have one:

- 'call me if the wind gets above 25 knots'

- sailing at night when you can't see the telltales.
 
Particularly good on a run, saves the crick in the neck when watching against a gybe, even more so with less experienced helm, much less likely to have accidental and violent event.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I don't have a wind instrument because my mast rotates and it wouldn't make much sense. There are two reasons I'd like to have one:

- 'call me if the wind gets above 25 knots'

- sailing at night when you can't see the telltales.

[/ QUOTE ]I seem to remember that its possible to set up a B&G system on a rotating mast that allow accurate wind speed and direction. From memory you use a rudder indicator mechanism to tell the wind instrument micro where the mast has rotated to. Not a cheap solution as its B&G but it is possible.
 
[ QUOTE ]
yes, but what sounds better in the bar "it was quite windy out there today" or "we saw a 34 knot gust"?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a burgee at the masthead for direction and a hand held anenometer (or how ever you spell it) for when things appear hairy - but don't look too often as I might scare myself!! Burgee is even illuminated for night sailing (by tricolour)!

When running if the ensign hits me whilst helming then I know the wind is getting a bit too strong for full sail!
 
Re: Rotating mast wind instrument correction widget

Looks like a possible solution. The website gives no indication of how it works so not possible to tell if it can handle 360° rotation. The rudder sensor approach is OK for a stayed mast that can turn up to say 60° but no use to me.

Expensive though!
 
Re: Rotating mast wind instrument correction widget

Looks like you need a Tac Tic compass sensor as well as the source of information.
 
1. Nightime
2. To let your autopilot to sail to an apparent wind rather than a compass course
3. To quickly see apparent wind as you are close manouvering into a berth for instance without having to crane your neck up at the masthead each time
 
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