Windex on 26M rotating mast.

[jg9546]

I bought my 26M last year. Since I am new to sailing (more or less) I would like to have a windex on the top of the mast. The problem is 26M has a rotating mast.

Did you find any good solution to it? Any pictures would be highly appreciated, since a picture is worth a thousand words.

Thank you for any help.

Jacek

[Harrison]

Just mount it without the "no sail sone" indicators.

I mounted mine on a piece of 1/2 angle aluminum to clear the VHF antenna.



(note windex mount shown without windex attached)


---Harrison

[Catigale]

THis is a problem crying for an optical encoder at the base of the mast, with the Windex mounted on an encoder at the top and a simple inverter gate inbetween to compensate...shouldnt be more than a boatbuck to implement....

[Wa2paa]

Try this Site for WireLess Wind Products

I have the "TackTick" WireLess Kit.. works great on Standard Masts..
They have just producted a Wireless Mast-Rotation Transmitter to work with their Wind System

Great Quality, but lots of $$$$$

Good Luck : Jack

http://www.tacktick.com/products/produc ... sp?prod=82

[Paul S]

Just mount it without the "no sail sone" indicators.

I mounted mine on a piece of 1/2 angle aluminum to clear the VHF antenna.

(note windex mount shown without windex attached)


---Harrison

Looks quite similar to what I did on our M. I did mount the indicators. I sometimes pin the mast to keep it from rotating (for boom brake use). I used some aluminum square stock, but the same idea. (click pic for full size)



Paul

[jg9546]

Thank you for your responses.

Jacek

[baldbaby2000]

You could just adjust the indicators so they are offset by the amount of mast rotation. The mast will rotate the same amount either way.

Not quite on topic but with my electronic system I added a potentiometer inside the mast base to correct for the rotation.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/b ... 6lores.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/b ... sensor.jpg

One of these days I'll add it to the mods section.

[shehzad]

I am also having the same problem on my 26M. I have just installed NAVMAN wind indicator and did not realise that it would give false wind direction, once the mast is rotated.

I am still confused, how this would give correct reading, if we install on piece of rod as shown in the prictures.

[ssichler]

wow that looks complex. I have a new Raymarine ST40 Wind System I was thinking about installing but ... Anyone want to buy it? Make you a great deal;)

You could just adjust the indicators so they are offset by the amount of mast rotation. The mast will rotate the same amount either way.

Not quite on topic but with my electronic system I added a potentiometer inside the mast base to correct for the rotation.



One of these days I'll add it to the mods section.

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[Chip Hindes]

I am still confused, how this would give correct reading, if we install on piece of rod as shown in the prictures.

It won't. If the windex base rotates with the mast, the reading will be incorrect by the amount of mast rotation.

There are a limited number of ways to solve this problem. Most envision mounting a separate electronic mast rotation sensor so the system can subtract out measured mast rotation. Several people have claimed success mounting the windex somwhere forward, as on a pole attached to the bow pulpit, but this is a compromise because the air can be affected well forward of the sails and you'll get a false reading there as well.

If you assume the mast is always fully rotated one way or the other, you could add or subtract from the observed reading based on which tack.

[baldbaby2000]

I am also having the same problem on my 26M. I have just installed NAVMAN wind indicator and did not realise that it would give false wind direction, once the mast is rotated.

I am still confused, how this would give correct reading, if we install on piece of rod as shown in the prictures.

One disadvantage of a rotating mast is the wind indicator.

Like Chip said, if the attachment spot for the indicator rotates, the reading will be incorrect. I'm not sure if the NAVMAN allows for a mast position input. When I was looking at options there were very few choices. I went with the Tecnautic and it works well. My main frustration was that I had to buy 2 displays because of the number of inputs required: an input for the mast position, an input for the wind direction and an input for the wind speed. It is nice to have 2 displays, other than the cost, because one can be set for say speed (I have my GPS connected) and the other for wind. The 2 units are connected and communicate with a CAN bus so anything can be displayed on either display. The mast rotation sensor wasn't too hard to do once I decided on how to do it.

Another option if there is a way to program your unit is as follows: When your on a Starboard tack have the unit add the amount of mast rotation to the normally displayed value, on a port tack have it subtract it. You'd have to talk to the manufacturer to see if this is possible.

A 3rd possibility. You could put 2 marks on the display (assuming it's a pointer type); use one while on a starboard tack and the other while on a port tack. You could even attach a template with 2 scales on it and read one on starboard and the other for port.

The latter 2 choices depend on the mast rotating the same each time; probably a true assumption. The first option is always correct even if the mast doesn't rotate. Another downside of the latter 2 choices is that if you want to use a VMG (velocity made good) feature, it won't work because the computer thinks the wind is from the wrong direction.

I had to buy 3 potentiometers because of a minimum order so I have 2 extra. If anyone needs one let me know.

[shehzad]

Thank you very much for the advice. I shall definately try the first option by marking this on the display.

As I am very new to sailing therefore it is is very importent for me to know the wind direction.
By doing some excercise, I had made my own solution to this problem.
I check the direction of the mast and assume that the face of my boat is also on the same direction. Calculating this false reading, I substract according to my own idea, which gives me some indication of the wind direction.
Regarding other options of adding some electronic parts, I cannot do so as I am living in Karachi, Pakistan, where we dont find shops for baot instruments therefore we only have occasion to buy them, if we go abroad.

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[parrothead]

I suggest that you try Davis Wind Tells (see http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... 1&id=74383 ).
They are miniature plastic "Windex" devices that simply snap onto the shrouds. We added them for this season to compensate for the inability to see the mast-top Windex with a bimini up. We have yet to use the bimini, as it hasn't been warm enough to want to be in the shade while sailing, but the upwind Wind Tell seems to consistently be very close to parallel with the masthead indicator.

[Trav White]

I am new to sailing and to my Mac 26X, but I do have the 26M rotating mast on my boat. Going back to my engineering study days, it would seem to me to work if you mounted it along the axis of rotation of the mast. This should take out any offset. Wouldn't this work?