Wind
Hi Tommy, our boat has an Autohelm ST50 wind instrument that I use for trimming. If I recall the colored area (red and green) starts at 30 degrees and ends at 60 degrees. This comes in handy only as a point of reference if you are close hauled.
With all sails up and close hauled I can pinch the boat to about 32 degrees and still achieve good sail power. If I try to pinch higher (29, 28, 27 degrees, etc.) I can feel a distinct de-power as the wind detaches from the sail. In strong gusty winds I will pinch higher to help keep the boat on her feet and the admiral more comfortable, then turn back towards the upper 30s after the gust has passed.
So, in that regard that is about the only value I find in the colored area. Otherwise, I defer to our Windex and telltales for a more accurate apparent wind reading.
Terry Cox
