I am considering installing a Clipper wind instrument

[kito]

I just finished running new wires, halyards etc in my mast as was thinking since it's down, to maybe install a masthead transducer. The Clipper Wind looks interesting.....and cheap. I already bought an antenna mounted Windex but since the Clipper seems to be affordable I may go that route. They are $314 for the wired version and $474 for the wireless. I wasn't going to bother with any wind instrument but the cost really caught my eye. Looking for pro's and con's of the Clipper system. Not much here when searching.

 

[Jackdaw]

I've had a NASA Clipper setup on my old First 235. Bought it when I was in the UK on a lark. As the British say, 'cheap and cheerful'. The basic wind instrument is APPARENT WIND ONLY, so its basically its an electronic windex, if that floats your boat. You have to spend another 100 bucks to get the 'tactical' wind system to get true.

The NASA senders are notorious for breaking down, the Brits think NASA stands for Not Another Sender Awry.

The NASA Clipper battery monitors are are very good however.

 

[kito]

Thanks Jackaw. I wonder if the wireless wind sensor has a longer survival rate than the wired version. I am kind of surprised no one else has experience with these units.

 

[Maine Sail]

Thanks Jackaw. I wonder if the wireless wind sensor has a longer survival rate than the wired version. I am kind of surprised no one else has experience with these units.

I only have two customers who've had a NASA wind instrument. Both of them have experienced transducer failures. I don't know what that says other than 100% of my customers with NASA wind instruments have experienced a failure. I can't image the failure rate is really this high so it is just likely odd odds for me. One went to Garmin, like the rest of his system, and the other went to Raymarine & and ITC5 to end up with an N2K wind sensor..

As for wireless I am still playing a waiting game. The Ray/Tack-Tick stuff has been pretty horrid and I've now had a customer with wireless Garmin gWind experience issues with wireless wind too.

The other issue I have seen with the gWind/Nexus dual tail fin transducers is that Ospreys can perch on it easier than some other transducers. This is not to say other wind transducers are immune to this, because Ospreys break about 7-12 a year for me, but the dual tail fin units almost seem to attract them... The Clipper wind also creates a wider landing spot than some others do...

 

[Joe]

I have no experience with this particular product.... it's the i40 series from Raymarine... it has been spruced up a bit from the original but it looks pretty nice and it can be networked... It uses the "rotovecta" style transducer... again no direct experience. The reason I mention this product, is that it is in your price range and it has been around for a while... It will give you apparent and true data.... as Jackdaw says, apparent only is just a glorified windex.... if you're going to spend money on a wind instrument, get one that will give you all the data.... Defender's special price is $390.

 

[kito]

What I have read is most all wind sensors end up having some problems. Just some sooner than others. I have decided against the wireless just for that reason. Apparent wind only isn't a problem for me. I am not a racer and if you trim by using telltales then apparent wind is what effects them anyway. I was just wanting something inexpensive to have at the helm when I have the bimini up and maybe save my neck from trying to look up at the Windex. But if they are junk then I won't even bother.

 

[Jackdaw]

N. B., - Raymarine no longer recommends the Rotovecta systems for use on sailboats. It's a toy for powerboaters.

 

[Captmayhem]

Have the wired version on the boat for a season now, no issues so far. Transducer comes with spare cups, and a spare bearing, definitely built to a cost point, but does the job on my 23 O'day without breaking the bank.