Wind System on a Mac

2BonC · Post by **2BonC** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:19 pm

Í´m, sure many of Mac owners have electronic wind systems installed at their boat like Raymarine ST 40 or similar .
How do You handle them when the Mac is on the trailer? Do You dismantle it partially or the whole system from the mast for transport. Which kind of "quick release" can be used to lead the cable through the shell of the boat?

Rainer

Lloyd Franks · Post by **Lloyd Franks** » Mon May 04, 2009 4:38 pm

Not sure what you mean...Are you referring to a wind driven charger, or a device to measure wind speed?

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Mon May 04, 2009 4:45 pm

Rainer

I have a ST40 but have not installed it yet so I will be interested in the answers

J

March · Post by **March** » Mon May 04, 2009 4:47 pm

Seems to be the device for measuring winds, including direction. I was toying with the idea of getting one, too, but I would have opted for the tacktick wireless version--no wires to mess around with. But the price is prohibitive, though it seems to be coming down a bit.

If I had one (which I don't) I would treat it as the depth finder during trailering. Dismantle the whole thing for transportation, just like I do the regular wind vane. As for the wires, you will have to run a wire through the mast for the wind sensor and install a second plug, next to the regular electric one. Then wire it through the double walls and bring the wires to the steering column.

Too much of a hassle. Next time I win the lottery, I will get the tacktick wireless one

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:02 pm

It can be mounted on a pole at the rear mast crutch a few of the fellows here have done that or on an arch thats what I'm planning on doing when I get to that mod, but got to finish of the other stuff first !

J

SkiDeep2001 · Post by **SkiDeep2001** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:06 pm

March wrote:Too much of a hassle. Next time I win the lottery, I will get the tacktick wireless one

You mean you won the lottery already

If so, now the odds are really against you

Matt19020 · Post by **Matt19020** » Mon May 04, 2009 6:10 pm

I have the ST40 and connected the base of the mast using a trailer connector similar to this:
http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm ... goryID=209
it has worked flawlessly for two seasons.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s152 ... ed-1-2.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s152 ... 0_0247.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s152 ... ited-1.jpg
I have no pictures of deck connector
I do not know if it is normal or not but after 2 seasons my display went bad. I just put a new one on for $150.. I hope it was just a freak thing and I do not have to peplace every other year.

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:07 pm

I have the ST40 mounted ona 6 foot post at the stern

Since you have an

you can mount on the masthead. I can't due to the rotating mast of the

. You would probably need to run a wire and install a through-deck electric plug simiarl tot he one for the mast light, though a better quality one would be preferred. I would still hesitate to do this since it is possible the mast-head transducer can get damaged while trailering. My post is removable and the wiring plugs into the starboard side of the transom through a waterproof through-hull connector plug. I always remove the whole thing before de-rigging. I unplug the wire and remove the post with transducer and stowe the whole thing in the cabin.

Leon

Kelly Hanson East · Post by **Kelly Hanson East** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:57 am

I can't due to the rotating mast of the .

I was wondering why you couldnt just leave slack in the wire...then my brain woke up...

Doh!!!

bastonjock · Post by **bastonjock** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:33 am

i leave mine on the mast,when i trailer i use a plastic bag to cover it,i wrap the bag around the windvane and tape it on securley,so far no problems.The one thing that i have forgotten to do is disconnect the deck plug when lowering the mast DOH

2BonC · Post by **2BonC** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:51 am

At first thank You all for Your inputs, they bring me close to the solution.

Matt,
as I see You leave it at the mast for transportation, I like the idea of bastonjock to wrap it by a plastic bag, this is protecting and locking the Rotavectra.

I suppose You have integrated it with the other Raymarine devices via Seatalk. How did You combine the systems, where did You connect the Seatalk bus from the ST 40 to, is a Seatalk conjunction kit required? Which functions of Your steering system are supported by the ST 40, constant angle against relative wind, auto tack?

Bastonjock,
I can do it like You, I allready practiced this three times with my electric cable

!

Leon
be honest, actually You tried to take a picture of the aircraft, is Your Admiral in it

?

Rainer

PatrickS · Post by **PatrickS** » Tue May 05, 2009 2:13 am

I have an ST40 at the masthead.

I attach a small bungee around the Rotavecta to keep it from spinning. It attaches with a hook that crosses the whole top portion of the hub and doesn't put stress on any of the three cup arms (sorry, no photo). It doesn't have much tension, just enough to stay on securely and keep it from spinning.

Also, I've noted that the end of the mast is inside a relatively dead zone as far as air movement is concerned (I have a telltale tied to my antenna, also at the mast head, and it only genly moves around regardless of the speed I drive) so even if the Rotavecta spins while underway, I doubt it would be beyond the normal rating for the device (but that's no guaruntee of course, and I bungee it off just for peace of mind).

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Tue May 05, 2009 5:50 am

I had an ST 40 for about 10 years. (sold the boat, pay attention Mutt) I always removed the rotovecta cups. They are very fragile.

After I broke the first set (1st time I towed with them on.) I bought 2 sets. Only 10 bucks ea at the Raymarine website. The spare I stashed on the boat in a tupperware container under the aft bunk. Sure enough 2 years later I broke another.

As for the wiring, I removed the stock Perko 2 wire through hull and replaced it with a 4 wire. Same hole looked stock.

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:59 am

be honest, actually You tried to take a picture of the aircraft, is Your Admiral in it

You got me

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:34 pm

I'm old fashioned I guess. I've seen the need for one on big or little boats I've skippered. Then again, maybe it's a racer thing, and I'm a cruiser.
I don't have one on my X for I don't really see a need for one because my little handheld will confirm windspeed enough for me to record it in the log if it's significant or unsual.
If I did want one I would not mount at the top of the mast. I would mount it on my arch or a separate pole that is easily taken down for transport, maintenance or repair. The majority of a sail's surface is near the hull, closest to where you helm, closest to where it will react with the sea. It somehow makes more sense to me to know what is happening in my environment, not 30 ft overhead where the least effecient part of the sail is located.
A simple wind vane or a ribbon telltale at the top of the mast is enough to see upper level wind shifts near capes, bridges, etc.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Wind System on a Mac

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