windex

[Christian]

Hi everyone,
I currently have the red davis spar vane on my mast, but would like to install a windex 10 or 15, because I would like those angle tabs. The boat I took sailing lessons on had this. How did you guys install the windex on your mast? I don't think it would work right with the rotating mast. The angle tabs would never be right, because of the rotation of the mast and the fixed position of the windex. Is it just not that much of a rotation to notice? Thanks.

[Crikey]

Christian, that was one of the first things I added to my boat before using it (new). It still is indispensable as a 'quick glance' indicator for trying to figure out the general direction of the wind. After a while you can mentally factor in the skew of the rotating mast on the M. While I would love to add an infrared wind sensor complete with rotational computer sensing, its not necessary for understanding where the masthead pointer is looking relative to the direction of the hull, as conveyed in a simple windex.
R

[seahouse]

I would echo Crikey's sentiments -

They are just a visual guide, and you can set them to whatever angle suits your preferences, allowing for the mast rotation, without undue reference error. I found it as economical to install a Shakespear base-loaded antenna (for future use, as yet unused) with the windex attached to it.

IIRC I used the same screw (1/4 - 20 threaded nut and bolt) that was used for the trailering light that attaches to the top of the mast. Easily loosens and swings around against the mast when down for storage.

Use a piece of turnbuckle tape or such around the antenna or you could loose the windex pointer (and the end cap) off the end of the antenna during trailering.

- Brian.

[Sumner]

..... I found it as economical to install a Shakespear base-loaded antenna (for future use, as yet unused) with the windex attached to it. - Brian.

We don't have a M, but also installed....



..the windex to the antenna and so far like that a lot. Note the picture above was taken with the mast down on the trailer. The black thing wrapped around the windex is a bungee that is use to keep the windex from rotating going down the highway. We had no problems with it going to FL and back.

More on the install here....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-42.html

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[roril]

The windex angle tabs were the first thing that I noticed not working on the rotating mast I installed. I figured to remove them and just use the arrow. Maybe I will add something to the side stays or just use the wind in my face.

Nice job Sum on your setup.

I want to add a way to control,tweak, the rotation for fine tuning. The cat boats had an attachment for that, I have been told. Ideas?.

[Hardcrab]

The tabs can and do work great with our rotating mast.
Our mast rotates 45* past each side of center.
Hold this thought for now.

The tabs are normally bent to show 45* ( therefore, 90* total ) fresh out of the box.
If you rebend these to 10* (or 20* total) you will then have three "known" angles to see/reference:

1. Mast fully rotated to either side will show you 45* when vane is "between" the two tabs.
2. Mast fully rotated to either side will show you 35* when vane is "over" the windward tab.
3. Mast fully rotated to either side will show you 55* when vane is "over" leeward tab.

Example 3 is where my genny allows me to point and keep good speed, or about 55* off the wind.
It works well and the tabs are easy to bend for the Mac.

[Crikey]

Hardcrab, that is some nice logic. I'm going to try that out as they're easy to re-bend.

SeaHouse, I always go through the, sometimes, extensive calisthenics of removing my windex/antenna collection from the top of the mast, before motoring. Usually end up backing the trailer up to a berm or wall so I can get at the thing without a ladder. If I don't do this the unit will really flex and thrash around in the towing slipstream and probably fail at some point. The combo radio whip models really do work well though!

Ross

[Christian]

Thanks everyone for your input and great advice.