Wind instrument for a trailer sailer

[erbster]

I am seeking some advice please.

I have recently bought a Cape Cutter 19 I am based in the Midlands and will be trailing her a lot, so the mast will be frequently unstepped.

She has no instruments at all and I am deciding which brand to go for. I am looking for depth, log and wind (plus hoping to interface my handheld garmin gps).

My issue is mostly about regular removal and refitting the mast-head wind instrument. I have seen the Garmin GWS10 at a very enticing price, but the mast head device is large and must be permanently screwed on. The tacktick device is both wireless and easily removed, but a lot more expensive.

Has anyone found a way (or can suggest a way) to make the garmin more easily removed.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[aquaplane]

I have something like this on my trail sailer:

It's pleanty heavy enough and uses just the right amount of power for a trail sailer and it's easy enough to remove when the mast comes down.

Edit: The HH GPS is a usefull Log, a depth sounder is a handy bit of kit though if looking over the side isn't good enough.

 

[V1701]

I wouldn't have thought a wind instrument scored very highly in terms of cost v. usefulness. The smaller Windex would be fine and if it did get damaged only a small cost to replace. I did have a NASA wind instrument that was unreliable so removed it and fitted the smaller Windex, that's on an Albin Vega (27). Congrats & enjoy your boat...

Edit - I'd only bother with the depth sounder as can get SOG from the GPS...

 

[TSB240]

Why would you want some modern power hungry instrument on a gaffer.

When you next finish the pot of breakfast marmalade put a tee light in the bottom and light it..

Take it up on deck and If it blows out its too windy, If it stays alight there isnt enough.This is why all gaffers are always up a creek or in the back garden!

On a serious note If you want to continue with having a modern instrument I would use a water proof connector (Bulgin Mini) at deck level or an inline connector that could be threaded through a water proof gland and kept dry under deck head.

If you are considering instruments to interface with your Garmin HH consider a GPS repeater like the Nasa one. We have found this is one of the most useful instruments on our trailer sailer. We use it to give a quick and large readout of position, CTE, SOG and rolling road view without fumbling for the HH.

Steve

 

[Georgio]

I can't help much other than to say I have the tacktick wind system and it's a great bit of kit.

An alternative could be to fit the mast-head unit on a pole on te stern, wouldn't do much for the looks of the boat though and you may have to drop it for trailering. As others have said I would be tempted not to bother, or use one of the hand-held jobbies if you just want to know the wind speed.

Nice choice of boat, really like the CC19 and it's bigger brother the Cape Henry. Pretty sure I spotted one doing the RTI race last weekend.

Good luck!

 

[erbster]

Thanks for the replies chaps. I don't think I had made my point completely clearly in my OP though; the Garmin unit I mentioned has a waterproof electrical connector for the masthead device. I meant to ask how the head unit itself could be physically attached and removed many times.

I have had a bit of an idea in the meantime- I could fit bolts on the vertically up through the mast head cap and then attach the instrument with wing nuts.

However, reflecting on your comments and the size of the whirly thing, it does seem rather at odds with the appearance of the CC. I think I have decided to stick with a simple wind direction indicator. This has the advantage that as far as SWMBO it's always a F4, though sometimes the waves are quite big and we are well reefed....

I think i'll look for a single display and transducers for depth and poss log, but certainly gps

 

[Lakesailor]

Have you thought about a clarinet?

 

[erbster]

My daughter plays clarinet and I get enough of that at home.
I only just got the joke....