Wind Instrument fitting to center line

[Gixer]

Hi,
I've recently bought a wind vane to replace my old rotavector. Reading the mounting instructions it says it need to be mounted to the center line of the mast. The problem is there no room on the top of the mast due to the nav lights., my current rotavector is mounted on a bracket just to the side of center line.
Question is should I move my nav light or will I notice an effect on the accuracy of the wind vane with it mounted slightly to one side?

 

[RichardS]

I can't see that it will make any difference to it's accuracy as it's not that accurate anyway. As long as you can see it, it will be fine.

Richard

 

[Old Harry]

I can't see that it will make any difference to it's accuracy as it's not that accurate anyway. As long as you can see it, it will be fine.

Richard

seeing it is maybe not that important as he may have a dial read-out with it

take the centre line as "pointing forward" not mounted askew

 

[pvb]

take the centre line as "pointing forward" not mounted askew

Doesn't matter, you can calibrate the display.

 

[Old Harry]

Doesn't matter, you can calibrate the display.

no mention of new replacement, might be a s/h older unit

 

[pvb]

no mention of new replacement, might be a s/h older unit

Being able to calibrate the wind direction isn't a new thing. Where have been all these years?

 

[Gixer]

Thanks guys, it’s a second hand Tacktick. Thinking about it I might take the bracket that had the rotovector on it and move it to the front of the mast, I do have a fractional rig, just have to check where the spinnaker halyard exits the mast. It would be easier to leave it where it is though...

 

[Old Harry]

Being able to calibrate the wind direction isn't a new thing. Where have been all these years?

It feels like locked up in my B&G Grey box

 

[Daverw]

Thanks guys, it’s a second hand Tacktick. Thinking about it I might take the bracket that had the rotovector on it and move it to the front of the mast, I do have a fractional rig, just have to check where the spinnaker halyard exits the mast. It would be easier to leave it where it is though...

Just a point to note with the tacktick wireless, we’ve this unit an£ had a problem with the signal level to the display, the mast was causing a signal shadow as the display was on the cockpit bulkhead. this was solved after two years by adding the wireless gateway which also receives the signal and fitting this in the cabin near the mast base.

the other option that others found was to mount the mast head unit pointing forward but at a slight angle to centre line

 

[RichardS]

seeing it is maybe not that important as he may have a dial read-out with it

take the centre line as "pointing forward" not mounted askew

I often look at mine to check that it's working about right. You must have more faith in tech than me.

Richard

 

[Gixer]

Just a point to note with the tacktick wireless, we’ve this unit an£ had a problem with the signal level to the display, the mast was causing a signal shadow as the display was on the cockpit bulkhead. this was solved after two years by adding the wireless gateway which also receives the signal and fitting this in the cabin near the mast base.

the other option that others found was to mount the mast head unit pointing forward but at a slight angle to centre line

Thats really interesting, thanks. So the actual head unit was mounted slightly off the centre line. Did you have to do anything with calibration?

 

[Daverw]

You can calibrate both wind direction and wind speed, both have a user set-able offset

 

[Gixer]

You can calibrate both wind direction and wind speed, both have a user set-able offset

Thank you, this is all new to me.

 

[Daverw]

You can also read the signal strength from the display, so yiu can check it before final mounting

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks guys, it’s a second hand Tacktick. Thinking about it I might take the bracket that had the rotovector on it and move it to the front of the mast, I do have a fractional rig, just have to check where the spinnaker halyard exits the mast. It would be easier to leave it where it is though...

Leave it where it is. Have a wander around the marina (post Covid) and see if you can find many that are mounted on the centre line.