Wind speed/direction gauges...do you use them?

[kito]

My H30 project boat came with old wind speed and wind direction gauges. The problem is the wiring from the mast was just cut and have no idea how to connect this mess of wires. Question is, is it worth messing with over just using a Windex and the feel of the wind on your face? Do you look at them just to reassure you that "yes...the wind is strong and coming from that direction" ?

 

[Windborne]

I have both a windex and a raymarine vane/anemometer. I use the electronics more since it is right in front of me in the cockpit and if properly calibrated provides useful information for fine tuning sail trim. But is it necessary? No. I would weigh the cost and time necessary to fix or replace with the other projects you have on your boat. I will admit though that I recently replaced the entire masthead unit because the original finally succumbed to age.

 

[rardiH36]

kito,

Similar situation with me. My 1980 Hunter 36 had an original manufacture Datamarine wind instrument mounted next to the speed and depth displays. But the masthead wind sensors were missing. I initially thought about making functional again or buying new. But as the months went by and after many outings, I realised that sailing without wind info was an ok alternative.

 

[jibes138]

kito, Similar situation with me. My 1980 Hunter 36 had an original manufacture Datamarine wind instrument mounted next to the speed and depth displays. But the masthead wind sensors were missing. I initially thought about making functional again or buying new. But as the months went by and after many outings, I realised that sailing without wind info was an ok alternative.

I think if sailing at night they will be useful or for racing . I just took my masthead unit down as it was shot. I don't intend to replace it.

 

[Jackdaw]

ALWAYS sail to your telltails.

Wind instruments should always be set to TRUE wind, where you can monitor speeds (for sail selection and gibe/tack angles), and direction for best down wind speed and determining actual wind direction. As jibes says, mostly for max performance.

If you only use them on apparent, as an electronic windex, you probably don't need it.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I had boats for 15 years before we bought this boat 16 years ago. I didn't have them on the first two boats. I rarely use it other than for statistic purposes on this one, and hardly ever look at it. I find I can read the water: little whitecaps at 12 knots is pretty much all I need. Wind direction? Man, if you don't know that by literally the back of your neck, no instrument will help you. Jack's right, telltales, telltales, telltales.

 

[kito]

Actually the only electronics I plan on installing is vhf, chartplotter with depthfinder, stereo and down the road, a new autopilot. I have the masthead unit for the wind speed/direction indicator. I may just paint it and use as a Windex. The spinning wind speed indicator can stay too. If it's spinning slow then it's not windy. If fast then it's windy out

 

[capejt]

I was raised and trained on dinghys where a piece of yarn on the shrouds is your only wind indicator. To this day I still hang yarn, but I also have instruments. It's good to have a reference for things like when to reduce sail, how high you're pointing and things like that. Are they necessary? Probably not, but they're among the top "toys" to have.

 

[BigEasy]

I use all of the above; windex, tell tales, and wind instrument. My bimini obscures my view of the windex indicator atop the mast, so yes I do use the wind instrument display mounted on the pedestal. It is simply a convenience, not a necessity. Did you attempt to resplice the wire inside the mast? Some other options are to check with the manufacturer to determine if a splice connector is available, consider replacing the wire only, replace the system with a used system (EBAy). The new wireless wind indicators look appealing. I know that the Moorings Charter boats use wireless wind instruments in their fleet Apparently, they are less expensive to install (no mast wiring) and less costly to maintain.

 

[sailaway78]

I use

I tie a short piece of cassette tape on the shrouds. It takes no power, it never lies to me, and costs virtually nothing. As to wind speed, hell I can get pretty close looking at the water and feeling the boat. The less you have that can break, the less that will break.

 

[kito]

I tie a short piece of cassette tape on the shrouds. It takes no power, it never lies to me, and costs virtually nothing. As to wind speed, hell I can get pretty close looking at the water and feeling the boat. The less you have that can break, the less that will break.

I like that idea. Beats having a sore neck from looking up at that darn Windex.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Wind Instrument...

On a hot summer day with the bimini up, it's easier to look at the apparent wind instrument dial than get a crink in the neck looking up at the Windex. Moor has a good unit for a reasonable price that will fit in the round cut-outs of previous instruments.

 

[capta]

I think it really is about the kind of sailing one does. If you are just a day sailor, and never intend long overnight voyages, then you can probably give it all a miss. But if you intend to sail considerable distances in any weather, then I'd put the time and effort into getting those instruments working.
I began sailing, and completed a circumnavigation long before those instruments were available for small cruising boats, at a price most of us could afford. Sailing with them now, I would repair them ASAP if they went down, as I find them very useful and they definitely increase the ease and pleasure of sailing.
If I was in your position, whether making long voyages or not, I would definitely take the time to figure out the wiring and get them working.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Over in the Bahamas, we would call the windex a "destination finder" Always seemed to point to where you wanted to go

 

[Joe]

ALWAYS sail to your telltails.

Wind instruments should always be set to TRUE wind, where you can monitor speeds (for sail selection and gibe/tack angles), and direction for best down wind speed and determining actual wind direction. As jibes says, mostly for max performance.

If you only use them on apparent, as an electronic windex, you probably don't need it.

Very important distinctions... I hope everyone understands why. Don't waste money on an electronic "apparent only" device that can't tell you true. If you want to install a wind instrument that will give you true data... don't forget that the device will need boat speed info to complete calculations.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Joe's right. True wind can also be determined, pretty closely, by watching the wind waves. For racers and purists (!) the instrumentation would be required.

 

[sailaway78]

I look at the water

I get wave direction, wave height, and a pretty accurate idea of wind speed from not much more than a glance.

 

[Ted]

A wind instrument is great to have if you have an autopilot and it is integrated with it. This would allow you to set the autopilot to steer to a specific wind direction.

 

[Benny17441]

They have their use. If you sail with a dodger enclosure you may not have that wind in your face/neck telling you intensity and direction. Add a bimini top and it may not be possible to glance at a Windex. You could say the need for the instruments could hinge on the configuration of the boat and even the climate you may sail in. They help calculate the difference between actual and apparent wind as the last is relative to the direction of travel. Do not like to be surprised when turning the boat upwind after a downwind run.

 

[Meriachee]

Unless you are into toys. Having a pair of i70s allows one display to show true and a couple of other things, while the other display shows apparent, and a couple of other things. Necessary? Not really. Allowing the apparent wind to drive the ap while we play with the kite and know that an accidental gybe isn't sneaking up on us is a comfort though.....