ST 40? Hugh McCully & Others Help!

[Red Beard]

Is that true that the Raytheon ST40 Wind Instrument is a pulpit mounted unit! I didn't know that. I love being a new boat owner. I was planning on putting it on the masthead. Hugh, you replied to an earlier post of mine. Thank you, Help me! It says it come with 66 feet of cable. That should work on a H260. I'm sure I can buy a bracket or make something. I want to put this boat in the water for the first time in mid March. So I'm ready to order! Just wanted to make sure I can do what I think I can do. Has anyone insatlled ST 40 Depth and Speed units? Is it possible too do this myself or worth paying the dealer? Thank You All BLUE SKIES & HIGH TIDES...RB

 

[Derek Rowell]

Link to user manual

The link below is to a pdf version of the ST40 wind instrument users manual. From a quick glance it says that the sensor may be mounted on a rail or a flat surface - maybe there are masthead mounting instructions somewhere in the manual.Derek

 

[Ed Schenck]

Installing transducers.

There is nothing to prevent installing the wind transducer on the masthead. It is not a simple task however. There has to be room to mount it considering there is probably an anchor light in the way. You will probably have to fashion a plate with an extension. Maybe two extensions, one for the windex and one for the transducer. Do not give up your windex.Then there is the challenge of getting the wire to the display unit. Down the mast and then some sort of plug to get through the deck. Where did you plan to mount the display? Similar problem, getting wire from a 12V circuit breaker to the display.Transducers for log and depth require some holes in the boat. You may be able to epoxy the depth transducer in the forward part of the hull and "see through" the bottom, you can test that. But the speed log requires a hole. Get help if you are not comfortable glassing in a strong pad and drilling a 2" hole in the bottom. Then the wiring problem, getting them to the displays from the transducers. Good luck.

 

[Red Beard]

Thanks guys

Derek thank you for the link! Got the manuals! Same to you Ed. I'm a cartepenter and can build a house from a blue print. I have no problem drilling the holes for the transducers, or fabicating a bracket. Thanks for telling me not to lose the windex. As a newbie I probally would have took it down. My problem is the boats at the dealer. He will take it to the lake and set it up and give me a day of sailing to show me the ropes when I'm ready to put her in. Point being, I can't just look at the hull to see what I'm getting into. I don't have any idea of how thick the hull is on a H260. Plus it's a water balast. Another good thought. I'm so confused! LOL. And I am thankful for your imput and help. Maybe someone who reads this has done this on a H260 and can walk me through it.

 

[Hugh McCully]

Not Much to Add!

There is not much for me to add! Derek and Ed have said it well. The manual (like too many manuals) stops well short of being very helpful. Running a cable through the mast is not difficult, although keeping the cable from slatting when the boat rocks is a bit of a challenge. Using cable ties at regular intervals on the cable is one way to keep it from hitting the inside of the mast. There are a variety of two conductor connectors to allow you to disconnect the Rotavecta from the masthead and the mast from the deck. I used Anderson Powerpole connectors (link below) at the mast head. They are light and at the same time sturdy. Fashioning a plate for masthead mounting of the Rotavecta should not be difficult. I mounted mine right on the mast top plate. I'm sorry I don't have a picture of my mount. Mine was a replacement of an existing Wind/Speed/Depth installation so I used the cable already in the mast and an existing hole for the speed transducer. I installed the depth transducer inside the hull, bedding it with Life Seal as I recall. Good Luck.