Windex
- Thread starter Nahart51
- Start date
I no longer use them because they are too fragile. I liked the 15. After breaking two, I found I didn't really need it. I had the one mounted through my VHF antenna at the top of my mast. I saw a stay mounted one that I might be interested in. Pop on and off and no crick in the neck needed. Not sure where I saw it. I just got tired of taking it on and off for trailering. I trailer over 3000 miles a year. I can feel the wind, see the ripples on the water and watch how my sails look. Nice to have but not a need. I still like them though. Someone know of a sturdy one?
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I went with the Sport. I feel like it's more appropriately sized for my boat, and less likely to break off/blow off/whatever. I don't take it off to trailer; it seems to do fine. I've only had it about three months though.
I take mine off and put it through the holes in the top of my metal compression post in side the cabin, then put a clothes pin on the shaft to keep it there. I know where it's at, it doesn't get smashed or misplaced and mounting it on the mast is the 2nd thing on my launching list. Works for me.
Windex's are born to die.... trampled in some launching or retrieving misdemeanor. Any time you see them for sale at WM, buy a spare.
They are useful on any boat because that tell you the wind aloft... the wind at your face level has been slowed and turned by surface fiction caused by the water/ground.
They are useful on any boat because that tell you the wind aloft... the wind at your face level has been slowed and turned by surface fiction caused by the water/ground.
Being that the I don't anchor overnight,(or anytime), in a navigable channel, and it's not required by the Coast Guard on a 22' boat;
"Vessels less than 7 meters,(our C-22's are 6.7 meters), are not required to display anchor lights unless anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage or where other vessels normally navigate. Anchor lights are not required on vessels less than 20 meters. Anchored in special anchorages in Inland Waters designated by the Secretary of Transportation."
So, I removed my masthead light fixture and made a mount that centers my VHF antenna in the middle of the mast. I installed the Davis #15 that rotates on the antenna. At first when I trailered I removed the antenna and the Windex. Then got lazy and left it on for a short drive. The Windex sat back there and spun in the wind going down the highway. Well, that was probably a couple years ago now, and I haven't removed it since. It spins and spins as I go down the highway. After thousands of highway miles, still no slop in the bearing surface, so it's just one less thing to screw with when trailering the boat. I thought about maybe securing it so it doesn't spin, but haven't come up with a solution, so thar-she-spins! :dance:
Don
"Vessels less than 7 meters,(our C-22's are 6.7 meters), are not required to display anchor lights unless anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage or where other vessels normally navigate. Anchor lights are not required on vessels less than 20 meters. Anchored in special anchorages in Inland Waters designated by the Secretary of Transportation."
So, I removed my masthead light fixture and made a mount that centers my VHF antenna in the middle of the mast. I installed the Davis #15 that rotates on the antenna. At first when I trailered I removed the antenna and the Windex. Then got lazy and left it on for a short drive. The Windex sat back there and spun in the wind going down the highway. Well, that was probably a couple years ago now, and I haven't removed it since. It spins and spins as I go down the highway. After thousands of highway miles, still no slop in the bearing surface, so it's just one less thing to screw with when trailering the boat. I thought about maybe securing it so it doesn't spin, but haven't come up with a solution, so thar-she-spins! :dance:
Don
I have lost two 10s on the highway. waiting on the third to arrive from amazon (thought it would be here today) this one is being marine tex'd to the shaft. if I even need to remove it it will be a pain but losing the on the interstate is getting expensive!! also, just my preference, but I would rather not have one than have to take it on/off every trip!!
Hi guy's, my first post though I've been enjoying your helpful and very informative site for some time.
I sail a Jaguar 22 (the UK version of the Cat22) and also race a Flying Fifteen keelboat and I really hate the Windex, that spindley spinning object silhouetted against the sky that gives you a crick in the neck as you stare at it and try to read it. I just put a simple burgee at the masthead and a couple of ribbons a few feet up the shrouds that give me a good idea of general wind direction and then have Telltails (is that what you call them in the US)? on the Luff and Leech of the sails to let me fine tune the rig. I'm with dgreen1991 on this one. Feel the wind, see the ripples, watch the sails and sail the boat, you don't really want to be staring at a plastic Windex thing spinning in the sky.
I sail a Jaguar 22 (the UK version of the Cat22) and also race a Flying Fifteen keelboat and I really hate the Windex, that spindley spinning object silhouetted against the sky that gives you a crick in the neck as you stare at it and try to read it. I just put a simple burgee at the masthead and a couple of ribbons a few feet up the shrouds that give me a good idea of general wind direction and then have Telltails (is that what you call them in the US)? on the Luff and Leech of the sails to let me fine tune the rig. I'm with dgreen1991 on this one. Feel the wind, see the ripples, watch the sails and sail the boat, you don't really want to be staring at a plastic Windex thing spinning in the sky.
If your Windex is spinning, you're either in some extremely heavy weather, or extremely heavy drinking. (Having spent some time in the UK, I know which is more prevalent!)
Either way ... just heave to, and have another drink until the spinning stops.
Either way ... just heave to, and have another drink until the spinning stops.
Nice oneIf your Windex is spinning, you're either in some extremely heavy weather, or extremely heavy drinking. (Having spent some time in the UK, I know which is more prevalent!)
Either way ... just heave to, and have another drink until the spinning stops.
. I live in the North of England, the land of big lakes (for the UK) bad weather and good beer, so sometimes the things do get combined, with interesting results.I was sailing my F15, almost as long as the Jag22 and much faster, in very light winds on one of the lakes. The wind and the Windex were going round in circles, really frustrating. The 'telltails' that the dinghy boys use are excellent for watching airflow over both sides of your sails and make sheeting and pointing so much easier and more accurate. They are also much lower down the rig so no more bad necks.
It helps at the end of the day too. It's very difficult to drink a pint of good English ale when your neck is locked in position with your face still pointing skywards.
If I may clarify,
The reason I inquired about the Windex was to find which one fit the cat 22. Documentation says the 10 inch is for a small boat, which is very relative.
That being said, my windex will not be the object of my admiration, staring at it as the only means of navigation.
I have telltales on all sails. I watch the luff of my sails. I watch the ripples on the water. And I plan to glance every once in a while at my new Windex sport.
I have the available room up there, so why not?
The reason I inquired about the Windex was to find which one fit the cat 22. Documentation says the 10 inch is for a small boat, which is very relative.
That being said, my windex will not be the object of my admiration, staring at it as the only means of navigation.
I have telltales on all sails. I watch the luff of my sails. I watch the ripples on the water. And I plan to glance every once in a while at my new Windex sport.
I have the available room up there, so why not?
How do you all mount them on the mast? I've seen pictures where people have used spacers. I have 1988 C22 and there doesn't seem to be an easy way to mount it without taking off the anchor light.
Yup, remove the anchor light and then there's plenty of options for the Windex. Go back up several postings to my original one.
Don
Don
I didn't know about the anchor light not being required. I used a "boom" adaptor on mine, but I might have saved the trouble had I known.
