wind indicators/depth/speed suggestions?

justsomeguy · Aug 27, 2021

WIth a trailerable, I'd go (and stay) low tech.
PIeces of cassette tape in the shrouds and a windex at the masthead. The most bang you'll get for your buck.

danooxnard · Aug 28, 2021

whats a cassette tape?

smokey73 · Aug 28, 2021

Had to chuckle at how old this makes me feel. "whats a cassette tape?" No dig on you @danooxnard it is just a reflection of how much has changed and how old I am. It is an ancient sound/recording device that was the "cat's meow" back in the 1960's. If you had one in your car (or an 8-trac tape player) you were listening to recorded music that you like rather than just what was on the "transister radio". Think of it as dinosaur from which the current digital recorders/players decended. Dig in your Dad's attic and you should be able to find one. One is enough as it has enough tape on it for a sailboat for a lifetime.

danooxnard · Aug 28, 2021

Sadly I am near ancient. I have memories of everything you mentioned.

Not to hijack the thread completely, I have a Davis Masthead wind indicator on my C22. It works fine without wires and large expense. Dano

Tedd · Aug 28, 2021

When I had my 26S, I used a Windex that was mounted so that it was easy to install and remove when the boat was on the trailer. I added an aluminum tube about three feet long to the masthead, so that it was pointing straight aft, and the Windex attached to the end of this tube with a ball-lock pin. This meant that it was pointing straight down when the mast was down, making it easy to reach when on the trailer, and the Windex could be easily popped off and kept in the truck.

BigEasy · Aug 28, 2021

If your'e going the electronic route, check out Labor Day sales. You may be able to find package deals for wind, depth, & speed.

jeepbluetj · Aug 28, 2021

The Davis Windex (mentioned at least twice already) is the #1 most useful sailing "instrument" They're also pretty cheap.

Do you need depth? For sailing in most of SoCal we have three depths: RealDeep, Harbor, BeachOrRocks. Don't get on #3 you're fine.
Speed? GPS speed (sog) is usually enough and a VHF handheld with GPS will give you that. Nice to have a handheld VHF for lots of other reasons. Electronic Depth and Speed generally involve a hole through the hull.

If you want electronics, Raymarine,Garmin,B&G will all be around $2K+ for a package. Just wind? On a Mac26 I'd recommend wireless. The Garmin is pretty easy to remove from the mast.

Kings Gambit · Aug 28, 2021

stricklandmma said:
yeah man I was thinking the same thing about depth.. thanks for the reassurance

In here, for every opinion there's an alternative one as well. Depth sounding capability is more important in coastal cruising than a having a digital weather station. You need sounding to know when you are over anchoring depth around here more than to avoiding running aground. Of course, one could rely on chart position if it's available but that's harder than looking at a depth display. In fog with no radar and no chart position the sounding is about all you have to deduce your distance from shore. (FYI: A GPS position is not a chart position unless it is plotted on a chart.)

You do not have to get a thru-hull transducer. There are ones now that work from the inside of the hull. Also, there are portable digital ones that might be hung briefly over the side. Finally, there is the old fashion lead line which take some practice.

All you need up top to start is a Davis Windex, as mentioned. Once you learn how to use that in sailing then you might consider whether a need for more wind information, etc. BTW. The Windex stays up even if a weather station is added.

Kings Gambit · Aug 28, 2021

A digital weather station is of little value over the Windex unless you have the speed log included, and that likely would require a new hole in the hull. Without the speed log the weather station gives only apparent wind angle (AWA) and apparent wind speed (AWS). You get AWA from the Windex. You deduce true wind angle (TWA) by looking at the water. After learning about Points of Sail, that will make sense to you. As mentioned, a handheld VHF with GPS will give you your SOG. That, with a handheld anemometer will get you TWS.

jeepbluetj · Aug 28, 2021

I almost never disagree with KG.

And we're not it _that_ much disagreement.

Sure, depth is nice for anchoring. It's the only time I look at mine. Boat prior didn't have one and I relied on charted depth and or dropping the weight to sound where the bottom was before setting the anchor.

I use my wind instrument a lot. Can't see the windex from the helm because the dodger. (A requirement by the crew to have the dodger..)
I use the wind speed a lot. That said, I use the windex more than anything else. (Otto's usually at the helm, so it's easy to look past the dodger)

I don't even put the paddlewheel in. SOG only. Use that a lot. Nice to be able to instrument that a trim change changed actual speed. New instruments I'm putting in have a combined wheel and sounder transducer - so I may need to install it. (You can also get SOG from your phone)

For an absolute newbie on a Mac26? Windex. Don't be buying stuff till you know you need it. Unless you want to. (The YAGNI principle)

For somebody that has a Saga 43, I'd recommend a full instrument/dual chartplotter/radar package. + a new windex while somebody's up the mast.

sail sfbay · Aug 28, 2021

As proposed above wireless system might be considered. I installed a wireless Tacktick (now owned by Raymarine) wind meter on my Hunter 31, which was really easy to install. Raymarine Wireless Instrument Displays | Raymarine - A Brand by FLIR

MikeHoncho · Aug 30, 2021

put another 15 to 20 hours on it then make a decision. I'm always looking up at my sails anyways (habit from dinghy sailing) so an electronic one is almost pointless. I guess there is an argument for sailing at night but I'm not planning on any night passages.

Ward H · Aug 30, 2021

One thing to consider is despite being wireless you'll want to remove the mast head unit when trailering. Most likely the mounting systems will not be made for quick connect and disconnect.

Nashville_Blues · Aug 31, 2021

A suggestion for checking water depth that costs very little - download the Navionics boating app to your phone. It will display water depths on the charts included, as well as under the surface objects. (Such as railroad tracks, bridges and houses underwater in our TVA lake. Very helpful when looking for safe anchoring spots.)

Davis Air-flow Tales are just a few dollars and last a lot longer than the cassette tape we were using on the shrouds.

jeepbluetj · Aug 31, 2021

Ward H said:
One thing to consider is despite being wireless you'll want to remove the mast head unit when trailering. Most likely the mounting systems will not be made for quick connect and disconnect.

The Garmin Gwnd masthead sensor snaps into it's mount. Dunno about the ray (although I had a very early tack-tik on my previous boat and it was a complete POS. That + proprietary NMEA 2K connectors, raymarine doesn't get much of my biz anymore)

HEINZIR · Aug 31, 2021

I hang this from my split backstay.
Unlike other portable units, this one does not have to be pointed into the wind, so you don't have to hold it in your hands. Is it necessary? No. But it is not very expensive and it does give you bragging rights when it's blowing like stink!

Air Flow Wind Speed Gauge Meter Digital Cup Anemometer with Compass 0.7-42M/S | eBay

The device does not have to be turned in the direct wind direction. (NOTE: The Tripod Not Included). MAX/Average/Current --- Hold and record the data at the point you need. Manual/Auto Power Off --- Turn off when standby too long.

www.ebay.com

wind indicators/depth/speed suggestions?

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