MacGregorSailors.com

Harry van der Meer wrote:Frank, why would you recommend the ST40 over the ST60? What is the difference?

Harry,
The ST60 sells for about $850, while the ST40 is only $400. The other differences are:

• * The ST40 is simply an LCD display, so the needle is graphically presented on the hull diagram, while the 60 has a swinging needle.
  * The ST40 has a slightly smaller, rectangular display unit. It might (?) be easier to find mounting space.
  * The ST40 has a somewhat smaller and cheaper transducer, called the "rotovector" or something like that. Seems to me it would be just fine, and easier to mount at the bow (if necessary).

I got the ST60 for about $450 as an open box unit, so I'm fine with it. But, since I'm not a racing fanatic, I just like to see the pointing angles and wind speeds, and the smaller LCD display would be fine. So, if paying retail prices, I'd sooner put the price difference into a kicker and dink .... just one opinion

Whatever happened to just observing the direction of the waves or chop in relation to the boat? Think of it...it's really cheap and reliable and if it ain't there, you ain'tsailing any way

Stev

Been on a Westerley Fulmar with a wind direction vane on a bracket at the stern, atop an 'A' bar.
Max

Steve M wrote:Whatever happened to just observing the direction of the waves or chop in relation to the boat? Think of it...it's really cheap and reliable and if it ain't there, you ain'tsailing any way

Nah! That's fine for a real sailboat, but a Mac+50, by definition, demands enhancement with other widgets ... oughtta be required in the owners' charter, before ya get purchase approval!

Here is my strategy with Boating Toys.

I tell the Boss that all of these "Toys" are important "Saftey Devises" and it would be dangerous to go sailing off the coast of California without them . So far it has or is working for: ChartPlatter, GPS, AutoPilot, Wind direction and speed indicator. I have yet to muster up the curage to try and say that a 10" flatscreen DVD player combo unit has real saftey importance, but I may try that this winter! We will see if I can pull it off!

Oh and by the way, I hope she doesn't log on to this website or I could be in trouble

Regards

Rich
Bakersfield, CA

RichandLori wrote: ... have yet to muster up the curage to try and say that a 10" flatscreen DVD player combo unit has real saftey importance, .... Bakersfield, CA

Why not! Just add a TV card and Sat-dish .... how the hull else ya gonna track these 'canes, t-storms, toronados .... ?? On good authority, the fact that they're usually 2,000 miles distant is just a mild buffer, certainly not a real margin of safety.
... gotta stay updated on earthquakes, traffic jams, too!

Frank C wrote: * The ST40 has a somewhat smaller and cheaper transducer, called the "rotovector" or something like that. Seems to me it would be just fine, and easier to mount at the bow (if necessary).

I've been considering adding a wind indicator, and looked at the ST40... unfortunately, the Rotovecta transducer is, from what I've read, not ideal for sailing. It doesn't have a wind vane, just cups, and it determines wind direction based on the irregular movement of the cups due to one of them having a different shape. This is reported to be not as accurate, and needs, if I remember correctly, at least 4mph of wind before it will show direction with a reasonable degree of accuracy.

I really wish Raymarine made a less expensive wind instrument designed for sailing... I'd be just fine with the ST40 display, but I do not want the Rotovecta transducer.

--Mike

I did not know that about the Rotovecta, but it makes sense. I do have the more traditional looking transducer, at masthead. You can probably order the ST40 w/ the other ducer, but it may defeat some of the cost savings.

West Marine has "Bargain" stores where all customer returns, display models, obsolete stock are sold. They have a strange pricing logic, so sometimes there is no advantage, other times you can get 50% off. Ask your local West Marine store where is their nearest "Bargain Store." They have one in Oakland, but I think there's another on the East Coast, maybe Annapolis, maybe in FL.

Here's another option...



I installed one of these this weekend, and so far I like it very much (though I've only used it in the slip). It is interfaced with the GPS, which will supposedly provide true wind and velocity made good.

At $353 (including a traditional wind cups / vane masthead transducer), it was very reasonably priced. The display unit is about the same size as the Raymarine ST60 series.

http://brokenlegdave.com/Manufacture/Na ... uments.htm

--Mike

I purchased an ST60 "open box" wind instrument from West Marine. The advantage was price, disadvantage was I had only one week of return privileges, during which I had to install and test it. Mounting the wind tranducer on the bow pulpit was the expedient way to test it.

Frank C. How did you mount the transducer to the pulpit? Did it come with everything you needed for mounting? Do you have photos?

baldbaby2000 wrote:

I purchased an ST60 "open box" wind instrument from West Marine. The advantage was price, disadvantage was I had only one week of return privileges, during which I had to install and test it. Mounting the wind tranducer on the bow pulpit was the expedient way to test it.

Frank C. How did you mount the transducer to the pulpit? Did it come with everything you needed for mounting? Do you have photos?

I wouldn't even consider mounting it here, aside from just temporarily testing the unit (in which case I'd just tape it to the rail).

On the 26M, isn't there SOMETHING at the top of the mast that doesn't rotate? I mean, perhaps I don't fully understand how it's all rigged, but I'd imagine that the upper shrouds and the forestay would have to connect to some sort of plate at the top of the mast that remained in place as the mast rotated.

--Mike

I also thought the spreaders would have to be attached to something solid before I saw an M.

Fact is, no. The spreaders are on a pivot and the shrouds attached by shackles to the front of the rotating mast. The tension of the shrouds keeps the spreaders stationary.

I thought maybe the spreader would be the place to mount the vane, but I guess the sails would shadow or otherwise interfere.

I still don't totally understand, probably due to the fact that I've never seen a 26M up close (especially not the top of the mast).

I envision the upper shrouds connecting to some sort of plate at the top of the mast that holds it in place, but allows the it to rotate back and forth (with something similar for the forestay a little further down). In other words, when the mast rotates, do the upper shrouds and forestay remain in their same position, or are they solidly attached to the mast so that they "twist" as the mast turns?

--Mike

The upper shrouds and forestay attach to a strap at the top of the rotating mast. The shackle provides the flexibility so that the shrouds and forestay do not twist as the mast pivots.

The lower shrouds attach at the spreader which is on a pivot. The tension of the shrouds keeps the spreader from moving while the mast pivots.

Kevin wrote:The upper shrouds and forestay attach to a strap at the top of the rotating mast. The shackle provides the flexibility so that the shrouds and forestay do not twist as the mast pivots.

Hmmmm... I wonder if some kind of mount that clamps to the swage at top of the forestay could be fabricated.

--Mike