Windex - Can a seagull knock it out of line?

[hoped4]

I didn't sail today despite the great weather. However, on looking up to the mast head I noticed that the red squares of the windex (vhf aerial mounted) are 90 degrees out of line to the port side. We recently had some work done on our masthead wind instrument by the same company who also recently fixed the windex after we had lost the arrow. Seagulls / crows to perch up on the mast head sometimes. I'm not sure how securely fixed these units are, so... Do you think a bird could have knocked this out of line or do you think it was when the mast head unit was fixed? Should I ask the comany who fixed it to go back up FOC?

 

[Deleted member 478]

Go up yourself. It will be a good opportunity to check their work

 

[hoped4]

I know , I need to do this ....but I'm not the smallest bloke. Last time I went up in the chair was a bit of an ordeal ...for both me and the winchman. What are those 'topclimber' systems where you ratchet yourself up like? Think this might be the answer and might get one soon.

 

[l'escargot]

There's some big birds about, something did this to mine:

 

[Searush]

I've had them knocked completely of too. Either gulls/ cormorants or clumsy b@stards throwing warps ( I moor in an area of 10m+ tides so dock walls can be D@mn high).

 

[yoty]

I too have had one knocked right orft and left me in mid-cruise with no VHF aerial. Bleeding seagulls. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
I didn't sail today despite the great weather. However, on looking up to the mast head I noticed that the red squares of the Windex (vhf aerial mounted) are 90 degrees out of line to the port side. We recently had some work done on our masthead wind instrument by the same company who also recently fixed the Windex after we had lost the arrow. Seagulls / crows to perch up on the mast head sometimes. I'm not sure how securely fixed these units are, so... Do you think a bird could have knocked this out of line or do you think it was when the mast head unit was fixed? Should I ask the company who fixed it to go back up FOC?

[/ QUOTE ]

Easily in fact - as its' only a small self-tapper that presses on the "axle" to try and lock it in place. If you take whole in hand - you can turn it even when tightened right up ... just.
You can see the screw in the first photo ...

Mine I saved a mint by not buying the retro fit Windex for my VHF aerial .... I bought the standalone one ... left out the supplied spindle ... drilled right through centre spigot of pivot ... fitted whole assembly over existing aerial ... used slightly bigger screw ... all a treat !