hope this is an obvious but not stupid question.... how are Mac owners managing to rig and remove the Windex when trailering, and rigging for sailing ? Surely can't leave it on, what with 65mph perpendicular breeze, and tree limbs etc. But how to reach it from the boat, or ground without a stepladder ? i guess you could roll the mast forward past the bow pulpit to get to it ... (not well supported for singlehanded rigging) ... is this customarily done ?
I used to look for a retaining wall on a nearby shopping center. on the last day of last season. I decided it would be allright to leave it on and, Yep! lost it somewhere at 65 mph. I saw a 10' lightweight compact folding ladder advertised in a RV brochure. That may be my answer. I agree that pulling it beyond the mast step is too difficult, and you might bend a spar.
We have one made for trailerable boats i think it was called the Dinghy Model. Anyway it is made to slide into the bracket without any tools. I do slide the mast carefully forward and prop it on the bow rail. Still can barely reach it from the stern of the boat. I have forgotten to mount it before stepping the mast and lauching - a real 'Homer Simpson' moment!
But then you have to remember to remove it after lowering the mast and sliding it forward, but BEFORE trailering. (Another potential 'Homer Simpson' moment) but after forgetting a couple of times and purchasing multiple vanes, even I remember now to remember.
We mount and remove ours as part of the rigging process. When the mast is in the storage position you can just reach the mount by standing in the transom with one foot on the motor. It is however mounted to a extension arm about 12" long that faces aft off the mast. This bracket let's it spin without hitting the masthead VHF antenna that used to be up there. Without the arm, which when the mast is stored points down, we might not be able to get the windex mounted. You can see the stand off arm in the picture below.
We have this one, much better in my opinion than the standard type. I actually have the old standard one in the shed still. I never found the V indicators on the standard ones much use, they are always getting bent to the wrong angle. I just want to know where the wind is coming from.
thank you all for the diverse experiences... about the Windices... or whatever.. guess i'll try thge reach and slip method from the helm seatback.
for the Windex lillumination 27 dollar light, i was wondering why not just use the anchor light, and if that is not strictly illegal, is the Windex light completely directional and not visible as an anchor light.?
btw, I finished the mod where i used the reverse polarity diodes to make the mast light and steaming lights "either/or" with just one deck plug and set of wires... and a dpdt rocker switch beside the mast light panel switch... WORKS GREAT EUREKA !! but it was kinda a PITA.
also thanks to the mast-cap advisors whose advice i considered b4 finishing the design and fab. of my mast cap of starboard and clear 3/8" lexan - that forms about a 7-inch circle of transparent protection for the light to mount to... the outer edge is left sanded / frosted and forms a ring of light even from deck angles where the light itself is not directly visible, ( mounted the ring onto the white lexan so it is centered at the aft part of the mast-top, leaving the front edge almost flush to not interfere with mounting the Windex to the mast front. Sure i am long-"winded"
i have a 3 color nav light on the top of the mast. as my windex is slightly back of the lantern it is illuminated by the white sector. une of the anchor light is illegal and dangerous as other ships may consider you as anchored.
I install the windex each time. I bring a 5' stepladder with me. Makes getting in and out of the boat a bit easier than with the silly mac boarding ladder, in addition allows me to install the windex since it is high off the ground.
Don't think it would survive well on the road installed
I always slide the mast forward and let it rest on the pulpit. I slide it as far forward so that I can reach it from the cockpit seat. I stand on the seat and put it on. I have never had a problem doing it myself. But I do watch it very carefully and do it as quickly as I can. I have never had the mast come close to slipping off the pulpit.
what with 65mph perpendicular breeze, and tree limbs etc. But how to reach it from the boat, or ground without a stepladder ? i guess you could roll the mast forward past the bow pulpit to get to it ... (not well supported for singlehanded rigging) ... is this customarily done ? 
