Wind Speed indicators - Do we really need them?

[AuntyRinum]

I bought my present boat four years ago and was thinking that I'll fit a wind speed indicator this winter. Then it occured to me that I've sailed without one for four years and I've always know what the windspeed and direction is from observation.
Do we really need them? I don't think I'll bother to fit one.

 

[2Tizwoz]

For thousands of years boats have been sailed without them.

Would you drive a modern car without a speedometer ?

 

[Evadne]

I've sailed for nearly 20 years without one. The only electronic instruments you really need are, IMHO, log, clock and ... er ... that's it. I know you are suppposed to need an echosounder, but I really can't remember the last time I actually used mine and found it useful. A lead line would be just as handy. VHF is a desirable luxury, not a necessity.

 

[Roberto]

Imho they are not really *necessary*

Apart from fine tuning etc, the only time I find wind speed useful is when sailing downwind and having to turn a mark and proceed close hauled later, I personally find easy to missestimate wind speed when downwind, esp when around 15-20kt, which when upwind may turn into up to 2/3 beaufort notches higher, knowing wind speed can help adjusting sail area when it is more comfortable

on the other hand, sailing downwind is such a rare occurrence that I might probably let wind indicators at home -.<)

 

[peteandthira]

I like mine because it feeds to the autopilot and will hold best wind, or whatever wind you want to hold. V useful in $hite weather while you hide under the sprayhood!

Pops

 

[Bat21]

[ QUOTE ]
I like mine because it feeds to the autopilot and will hold best wind, or whatever wind you want to hold. V useful in $hite weather while you hide under the sprayhood!

Pops

[/ QUOTE ]

What make is it, I could do with a mast head unit that keeps a lookout as required by Col regs. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
The only electronic instruments you really need are, IMHO, log, clock

[/ QUOTE ]

Why do you need an electronic clock? My wristwatch is wind- up and works perfectly - very nearly as accurate as a quartz.

To be honest you dont "need" an electronic log either, as I have a bowden cable version, that is IMHO more accurate than the standard paddlewheel. I reckon an echo sounder is more important, although you could manage with a person and a thrown rope/weight like they used to.

However, the electronic gadgets are very useful and I like to have them.

 

[Evadne]

True, but you don't see many non-electronic ship's clocks these days, and even watches like yours are a rarity. I agree about the paddlewheel log, I have an old Stowe trailing log which works well but a Wasp or Walker would be just as accurate.

Buying toys for the boat now, that's another hobby in its own right! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ex-Gladys]

..you could sail the east coast without an Echo Sounder if you like..... I wouldn't!

 

[Becky]

I know that I risk comments about women sailors, and being blonde as well, BUT I think the wind direction indicator (and speed) is very useful. In fact I always use this dial to steer by. I find it easy to read and see, and is my best way of optimising the set of the sails. Sailed for absolutely years without one, but wouldn't again by choice. On my previous boat, it was as accurate as the compass, and on one particularly bouncy channel crossing, I found the wind direction to be easier to hold my course with than the compass, which was on the other side of the cockpit.
So I would get one; after all you won't know what you are missing until you have tried one!
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sea Devil]

I think they are useful for giving you notice to reef - is the wind actually getting stronger or remaining constant. The other reason I like them is the tacking angle - I can see fairly accurately what angle I am making CH and what I can make on the other tack in the conditions prevailing - I do no race but it is helpful even cruising.

 

[Peppermint]

Re:If your boat

is a floating branch of PC World I'm sure you need one intigrated with all the other boxes that go ping.

If you race you'll take any input that you can so sure I'd have one.

If you can sail you'll get by OK without.

Modern boats are full of electronic distractions that get you looking the wrong way at the wrong time. Wind instruments are part of that trend.

I'd say that a barometer, compass, log and sounder are essential gadgets. A GPS/Plotter and an auto pilot are nice additions. A VHF is a mixed blessing and the rest is froth and bubble.

 

[twisterkai]

I'm intrigued. How does one use an electronic wind speed/direction gizmo to optimize the 'set' of their sails? I thought tell-tails did that. In terms of sailing on the wind I've always found that wind instruments react to any shift a few seconds after the shift.

Over the years I've sailed with and without them and in all honesty I'd rather put the money towards a heating system.

See? No comments about blonde/female etc! And you're certainly not alone in your methods - I just don't understand why.

 

[RupertW]

I like having wind speed/direction but haven't got them in my present boat and wouldn't spend money on them. Assuming you're not racing then fun bit about wind speed is that you can say, "Wow, we're in a 7!" or think - "Well we've been ok in stronger winds than this"

Otherwise I hope that the boat will tell you when you need to reef or unreef you always know that turning from a fast run to a beat will add just a little to the apparent wind and wave conditions. Tell-tales will do a much better job of sail setting too.

I'd go for echo sounder as the only mandatory bit of electronics (although I spent a season in a shoal-drafter using a boathook instead). GPS can be pretty useful too although rarely vital (for most of my sailing) except in fog where its a bit of a comfort.

Can't really think of anything else.

 

[snowleopard]

I would love to have a wind instrument if only to be able to give instructions to the watchkeeper e.g. 'call me if the wind goes over 20 knots. At present I have to say '..if boat speed goes over 9 knots'.

Unfortunately the problem of mounting a wind transducer on a rotating mast means it isn't going to be any time soon.

It would also be nice to be able to keep a check on my estimates of wind speed.

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
It would also be nice to be able to keep a check on my estimates of wind speed.

[/ QUOTE ]Good reasoning. You can build up a feel for the wind speed. As forecasts give wind speed predictions it can refine your ability to make a decision about whether to leave the fireside.
I bought a handheld windspeed indicator.
2 years on I'm a better judge of wind speed than it is.
It's started screeching at anything above 9 MPH and does seem to recognise anything above about 15MPH now (and that's more like 20-25MPH).

So it was OK whilst it lasted, but no thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[AuntyRinum]

Quote<I know that I risk comments about women sailors, and being blonde as well>

Anyone making comments about women sailors will be regarded as unchivalrous and, if it's any consolation Becky, I'm blonde as well.

 

[Evadne]

Good point, I learned to sail on the East coast, and the echosounder was also known as the "daggerboard".
Later, when I put Evadne on the Blackwater (Maylandsea) for a year I used the keel in similar fashion. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I find downward looking echosounders are great for telling you that you have just run out of water. Which lets face it is 50% of the time on the Blackwater, even when you know how much water there ought to be, so for creeping up the creek in a long keeler the echosounder was really just an advanced warning of when to put the kettle on. Maybe with a lifting keel I'd have found it more useful.

 

[snowleopard]

It's easy to get estimates of wind speed wrong. During a tradewind crossing we were doing 9-11 knots in what I estimated was a F6, everything up and surfing regularly at 16+ knots - great sailing until we overtook the wave in front and shuddered to a halt with a foot of green water over the top. Afterwards the skipper of a nearby boat told me he had 35 knots true wind on his instruments - If I'd known I'd have been 2 reefs down and bricking it!

 

[RupertW]

bit confused by that story.

Why double-reef if you're going downwind and in full control with steerable waves? The time to reef is surely once that control is in jeopardy whether that's at 20 knots or 40 knots, or if you were about to change course away from a run.

You might have a go at yourself for keeping on all sail when you really knew the boat was on the edge, and make mental note for next time but the actual windspeed number isn't the most important fact, is it? Interesting fact, certainly, but the same windspeed with different waves/boat/angle/visibility might lead to entirely different actions.