Wind Speed indicators - Do we really need them?

It's the classic marketing dilemma. You want it 'cos its a toy you don't actually need it 'cos if you actually needed it to sail then you would not be able to sail without it. mine hasn't worked for years and I'm not about to spend money on it.
Heaven help us if Cisco start making them.

Ken
 
I have raced my 21fter hard for 21 years. I had a through hull paddle log for many years but eventually removed it. It was just too easily fouled with crustaceans. I have a compass which is always covered and only occasionally looked at. I have a hand held GPS which is occasionally taken along if only to brag about speed reached. I have a home made wind pointer on mast top.
The problem with electronics is that they very quickly fail. especially wind instruments and log and the hassle frustration and dissapointment is just not worth the pain.
I would ssuggest if you like longer cruising then in addition to a HH GPS a simple drop on the tiller autopilot would be well worth having and of course a VHF for safety. Wind stength doesn't matter it is what your boat does in response that does matter. Sails make excellent wind direction and speed indicators.
keels make excellent depth indicators. Providing the boat is small enough to lean over and get off the mud. You only need an inch of water under the keel any more is wasted.
regards olewill
 
Rather more difficult to tell when you're 'on the edge' in a cat! By the time you fly a hull it's too late. In fact we realised we were too close to the edge when we nosedived into a wave. Had i had a wind meter I'd not have let the situation get that far.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Providing the boat is small enough to lean over and get off the mud.

[/ QUOTE ]
If your mud comes in boulder shapes and is a bit hard that's a risky procedure.

Pop's is right.
 
I phrased it badly but was thinking about cat sailing when I replied and agree it's a bit different to the obvious signs in a monohull.

I've spent quite a few days and nights sailing larger cats in trade winds and one thing I learnt (but could be wrong) is that the feel of the boat and the wave motion is much more important than wind speed when deciding. That lumpy "truck in ruts" motion can turn into a real thrumming of the bows as you surf, which tells you you're going very fast but more or less safely, but it's that slight hesitation in troughs which tells you you're overdoing it and the waves are too steep. If the mast judders then you're definitely decelerating and should do something sharpish. I found that those three signs gave increasing levels of warning and the ability to choose our level of recklessness/caution.

We sometimes found that at 20 knots wind, and sometimes at 30 knots depending on the length and depth of the swell and cross-waves - so wind-speed is useful to know, but not the decider (for me, anyway)

With all that I'd still rather cross an ocean or encounter severe weather in a cat than a monohull anytime.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Over the years I've sailed with and without them and in all honesty I'd rather put the money towards a heating system.

[/ QUOTE ]
I quite agree. We're happy without instruments, and heating and/or radar would have to come first.
 
AuntyRinum said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
I agree. Mine was broken when I picked the boat up and sailed it home. After that journey (around 1000NM) I realised I had no use for one. Everyone has an opinion, however, you have the right amount of sail or need more or less. You don't need a gauge for that. Amazing how good you get at reading the sea when you've no one to talk to and no other choice 😁.
I have to disagree on the depth gauge though, coming through the Menai, the charts were useless at the South end, a lot of other places shift too. Tidal estuaries like the Ribble spring to mind for one. I'd say when you're single handed it's worth it's weight.
 
2457 said:
I agree. Mine was broken when I picked the boat up and sailed it home. After that journey (around 1000NM) I realised I had no use for one. Everyone has an opinion, however, you have the right amount of sail or need more or less. You don't need a gauge for that. Amazing how good you get at reading the sea when you've no one to talk to and no other choice 😁.
I have to disagree on the depth gauge though, coming through the Menai, the charts were useless at the South end, a lot of other places shift too. Tidal estuaries like the Ribble spring to mind for one. I'd say when you're single handed it's worth it's weight.
Click to expand...
you do realise you're replying to a 20 year old post?
 
Evadne said:
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.
Click to expand...
I certainly don't need wind speed, and direction is given by a wind pointer on mast top.(home made) The boat and sails will tell you all you need to know about wind strength. So a wind speed indicator is only useful for bragging rights. My experience is that the birds like to destroy anything delicate on mast top.
I have a fine water depth indicator in the keel. little boat is easy enough to heel over and pole off a bank. I keep a Etrex GPS which can tell me speed and any navigation I need. I do think a VHF radio is a huge safety factor in case of medical emergencies injury or MOB. Compass has a cover on it and has not been used for years. But then it all depends on what you or OP want in your boat and where you sail. ol'will
 
The necessity of wind instruments for a boat depends on its type. Our pilothouse boat is frequently sailed from inside, particularly in colder climates, making wind instruments a valuable asset.

Ultrasonic instruments, with no moving parts, seem more reliable than conventional alternatives especially considering our experience with those pesky Australian birds that seem to love to destroy anything that spins :).

A depth sounder is an almost essential instrument for most cruising boats in my view. Consequently, we have two installed for redundancy. One is a “fishfinder," useful for deciphering the seabed when anchoring. This will also read relatively deep depths of up to 300m. The other is a conventional speed, temperature, and depth transducer.
 
Last edited:
I for one am in favour of resurrecting these old threads. For me, they hark back to that happy time before you-know-what happened and we were still part of you-know-where. Pleasant days, full of mirth and vigour. Fantastic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

cyberkryten
We finally bought a boat - Merry Fisher 895s2
2 3
Replies
41
Views
2K
Cathy*
C

Share this page

Top