Trailering with Wind Vane

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:39 pm

I just installed a wind vane. To this point, I have been using the little streamers tied to the shrouds but sometimes they get tangled or twisted and become somewhat inaccurate. My question for all you guys with wind vanes is do you trailer with them or remove them? I don't think it's the best idea to trailer with the vane on, but it's difficult to get to the masthead to have to remove the thing every time. Advice please. Thanks.

Leon

David Mellon · Post by **David Mellon** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:23 am

Don't do it! I forgot my ladder and left it up once, had to replace it. Then I realized I rarely look up at it. The bimini is usualy in the way and the indicators are useless on our rotating masts.

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:34 am

I have an idea for the indicators. I have them about 15-20 degrees out, so when the mast rotates, they should be 45-50 degrees. I guess the vane must come off for trailering. PITA!

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:19 am

As for the 26X, when the mast is bolted at the pulpit and resting in its pedestal crutch, I can stand on the aft coamings and just reach the windicator to remove it. That assumes that I've remembered it's still there.

Since the M's mast is about 3 feet longer than the X's, I guess not much help for you 26M owners. Unless you remember it before bolting mast to the pulpit. If you slide the mast forward by 3 to 4 feet & rest it atop the pulpit, you might manage the transaction from the aft coamings, before you complete the fixing of mast for trailering.

baldbaby2000 · Post by **baldbaby2000** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 5:14 am

If you slide the mast forward by 3 to 4 feet & rest it atop the pulpit, you might manage the transaction from the aft coamings, before you complete the fixing of mast for trailering.

That's one way but it's extra work. If you can carry a step ladder that makes it easy but you need a place to carry it: maybe on the trailer? What I usually do is have the Admiral back up to something I can stand on and get to the mast top. Usually it's a dumpster. One of these days I might fall in but so far so good!

If you have the reference tabs and bend them outward an angular amount equal to the mast rotation, it seems like a mast head wind indicator would be useful on a rotating mast. Mine is electronic so I'm usually looking at a display.

BB

Post by **kmclemore** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 5:33 am

Although I have windvanes for both boats, in actuality I don't think I've ever used them, so I tend to leave them at home. Instead, I just watch the sails... when I see the leading edge start getting limp I tighen up to harden the sail. And I watch the waves and cat-feet on the water to see where the wind is coming from and how strongly.

As for trailering, as much as it's a pain to put it on each time, I'd take it off because they're pretty fragile and easily broken.

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL · Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:07 am

I use pieces of audio cassette tape tied to the shrouds. If they blow off while trailering, just put more on.
For day-sailing, a wind indicator on the top of the mast isn't too bad. When making a passage, I would get a kink in my neck, especially on a center cockpit boat.

bobmonroe · Post by **bobmonroe** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:26 am

I use 7 or 8" strips of yarn and tape them to
the uppers, high enough to be seen under the
bimini top, also one on the backstay, useful
when running downwind.

baldbaby2000 · Post by **baldbaby2000** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:54 am

I use pieces of audio cassette tape tied to the shrouds. If they blow off while trailering, just put more on.

I use cassette tape all the time. It gives an indication even in the lightest wind. I find that Paul McCartney tapes work as well as any.

BB

Trav White · Post by **Trav White** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:57 am

When I bought my Mac this spring, the previous owner had a vane over the VHF antenna with no indicators. As we loaded it on the trailer and he showed me how to de-rig and stow the mast. I looked out and asked him,"Shouldn't I take off that wind vane?" He said it should be fine.

Well....4 hrs of driving later, I got home and looked up and both the wind vane AND the metal VHF antenna were gone!

Do they not make a mini wind vane that can be attached to a shroud? This would alleviate the rotating mast problem.

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL · Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:06 am

Trav White wrote:Do they not make a mini wind vane that can be attached to a shroud? This would alleviate the rotating mast problem.

Davis makes "WIND-TELS" that attach to the shrouds. List price $26.99/pair.
I think cassette tape will work just as good. Also, it doesn't soak up water like yarn.

mtc · Post by **mtc** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:08 am

delevi wrote:I have an idea for the indicators. I have them about 15-20 degrees out, so when the mast rotates, they should be 45-50 degrees. I guess the vane must come off for trailering. PITA!

That's what I did - just adjust for the mast rotation. Can be done with the mast down, too. I use mine all the time.

But, if you trailer it, anything over 25 mph will probably yank it right off. If there's a motorcycle behind you with out a helmet, yikes!

Shane · Post by **Shane** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:36 am

baldbaby2000 wrote:
I use pieces of audio cassette tape tied to the shrouds. If they blow off while trailering, just put more on.
I use cassette tape all the time. It gives an indication even in the lightest wind. I find that Paul McCartney tapes work as well as any.

BB

Of course if you'll get a faster apparent wind if you use a 'blues' recording

Regards,
Shane

March · Post by **March** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:19 am

I'm with Frank. I ruined a perfectly serviceable wind vane by forgetting to remove it before trailering. I immediately broke a second one when launching the boat--I backed up under some shady trees and by the time my friend started yelling, it was too late. Ever since that time, I pay extra attention to the vane.

The wind vane is mounted at the top of the mast with a butterfly nut. If I stand up in the cockpit, one foor on the engine before I raise the mast, I can mount it after some ridiculous acrobatics. Contrary to what others noted, I find it quite useful--to such an extent that I consider adding a wind gauge in the future. The ideal setup I had in mind would be Tacktick--no cables involved-- but the price is prohibitive.

Raymarine makes a cabled version, which is still quite expensive, but I am not experienced enough to see at a glance that the wind is 15 knots, even though the windwane and telltale pieces of thread show me the direction. Anyone has an experience with that model? I think it is T40.

baldbaby2000 · Post by **baldbaby2000** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:35 am

Anyone has an experience with that model? I think it is T40

Is this for an X or an M?

BB

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Trailering with Wind Vane

Trailering with Wind Vane