Submitted by keith.barton on
Original forum:
- Member Discussions:General Discussion
Hi All
just received the Clipper wireless wind kit from Foxes at a great price and really pleased until the realisation struck me that Star (26M) has a rotating mast!
My question to you knowledgeable folk is, can I use it?
20 Comments
Yeah no problem. Of course
Submitted by leigh.ross on
Yeah no problem. Of course you can use it. All you need to do is devise a mast rotation indicator. Then just apply to mast angle correction to the wind direction shown and Bobs your uncle.
Or or you could install the sensor unit on a pole attached to the pushpit.
I think the most practical thing to do is return the unit.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful. There must be a solution , there are plenty of high performance boats with rotating masts
Good luck
Leigh Ross
Crieff
0777 558-4561
1990 MacGregor 26S Ptarmigan
1992 MacGregor 26S Pelican
Yes
Submitted by gerard.cairney on
Yes
I solved the problem
Used a hinge and a backstay.
Works perfectly
Gerard ~ Oran na Mara ~ M26
Hi Gerard,
Submitted by mike.floutier on
Hi Gerard,
Your solution sounds tantalising.
Since the end the hinge attached to the mast will be moved sideways as the mast rotates, the sensor unit will naturally rotate around the long end of the hinge (i.e. that attached to the backstay).
I assume the benefit of your system is that the modified rotation will be proportionally reduced in relation to the length of the hinge length.
As may know, this issue is a major one for Mac owners - see http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=24758 to get an idea.
I don't remember your solution being mentioned before; given the dollars being spent on the various solutions mentioned in the US thread, you could well make money, or at least fame, by offering your gadget.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Having said that it's
Submitted by mike.floutier on
Having said that it's probably worth thinking the issue through before deciding how to proceed.
Firstly it's good to remember that the mast rotation issue only relates to wind direction; wind speed is accurately reported whatever the position of the mast.
So, with regard to wind direction, the key question is; "what do you want the wind direction information for?"
If, like me, you are only using it to supply NMEA0183 data to your autopilot, in order that it can successfully sail at a fixed angle to the wind, then the rotation problem is simply not an issue.
The only reason for needing an accurate wind angle (rather than the "change in angle" that the AP uses) is for real time passage planning. My question would be; "would you be likely to use it this way?"
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Good point. You really only
Submitted by leigh.ross on
Good point. You really only need true wind angle if you’re trying to optimize windward performance in a race. And 26x s are not often raced I’d imagine.
Leigh Ross
Crieff
0777 558-4561
1990 MacGregor 26S Ptarmigan
1992 MacGregor 26S Pelican
When I bought ASHANTI 2008M I
Submitted by john.pompei on
When I bought ASHANTI 2008M I found that the rotating mast had been bolted to prevent rotation, presumably because the previous owner had fitted a TacTic masthead wind sensor.
I decided to fit a bearing to allow the mast to rotate which of course meant that the wind direction was wrong. On my previous yacht I only ever had a Windex and tell tails so I was used to watching those. During last season I found it quite easy to gauge the wind direction by watching wind vane on the TacTic which of course points correctly.
Later in the season, I fitted control lines to limit the rotation of the mast, these currently do not have any mechanical advantage so cannot move the mast when under load but can fix it in the centre position if I wish, then the TacTic will show the correct wind direction.
I believe that racing yachts such as the Tornado have rotating masts with control lines and use them to adjust the angle depending on the direction being sailed relative to the wind, but this is a bit beyond me at the moment.
John
ASHANTI 2008M
Oh, and just a caveat
Submitted by mike.floutier on
Oh, and just a caveat regarding my comment about "wind speed being accurate".
Unless you have some device to cope with the rotating mast then you need to ensure that any instruments are set to "apparent wind speed" rather than "true"; True being derived from Apparent wind speed, Apparent wind direction, GPS boat course and speed. I think that's right:)
To be honest, if I was doing it again, I'd not have a wind sensor in my circumstances. The problem was that the Clipper outputs up to date NMEA0183 sentences whereas the Raymarine st-2000 autopilot (still made) only accepts the outmoded sentences. I had to buy a Raymarine converter, which doubled the cost. And they don't make them any more, I had to find an old one on eBay.
But it was fun wiring it all up and it did give me a buzz seeing the wind on the plotter and it does save you (using the AP) from constant trimming on long legs.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Thank you everyone.
Submitted by keith.barton on
Thank you everyone.
The only reason I bought it was due to the fact that the original wired one has been removed but the wire and bracket is still in place and initial novice thoughts made me think it would be useful. Anyway, I am going to take the easy option and return it
thanks again
I'll put photos of my system
Submitted by gerard.cairney on
I'll put photos of my system up soon. Been using it for 3 years now. Think it has proved itself.
Might even put my other mods. up on the site.
I'm sunning myself in Gran Canaria. Will get to the boat in a week or two.
Gerard ~ Oran na Mara ~ M26
Yes please Gerard! It's
Submitted by roly.simpson on
Yes please Gerard! It's really helpful to have all successful mods posted in some way. Either on the website or magazine...or both. I had discounted it being possible due to rotation but thought a well greased hoop or bearing at top of mast with s back stay might work.
Roly
Ps... I have generally kept mods quite modest and reversible but they can be found under Roly mods on website.
Photos
Submitted by gerard.cairney on
Photos
DSC_1681~2
DSC_1688~2
DSC_1690_0
DSC_1691~2
Gerard ~ Oran na Mara ~ M26
More photos
Submitted by gerard.cairney on
More photos
DSC_1696
DSC_1695
Gerard ~ Oran na Mara ~ M26
Hi Gerard, can you show or
Submitted by keith.barton on
Hi Gerard, can you show or describe how/where the hinge/block is connected please.
thanks
Keith
I used two 4x4 stainless
Submitted by gerard.cairney on
I used two 4x4 stainless steel ball bearing hinges.
One leaf on the main one was bent in half at right angles.
I cut the leaf of the other in half and discarded the hinge. I then bolted the two together with countersunk machine screws and nyloc nuts. The jubilee clip was sandwiched between.
Hope this is clear.
Gerard ~ Oran na Mara ~ M26
Thanks Gerard. I haven’t
Submitted by keith.barton on
Thanks Gerard. I haven’t returned the Clipper so will copy your mod if that’s OK.
thanks
Some more pics of the Clipper
Submitted by gerard.cairney on
Some more pics of the Clipper wireless wind in operation
Clipper wireless wind in operation Note that the mast is rotated fully to the port side
Oran na Mara with Clipper wireless wind
Gerard ~ Oran na Mara ~ M26
Thanks for the pictures
Submitted by keith.barton on
Thanks for the pictures Gerard but I can’t quite make the detail out. Are you going to Windermere in July?
Hi Keith
Submitted by gerard.cairney on
Hi Keith
Not planning to do Windermere.
I have a pair of those hinges if you need (unbent or cut)
Gerard
Gerard ~ Oran na Mara ~ M26
Thanks for the offer Gerard
Submitted by keith.barton on
Thanks for the offer Gerard but I already have them. Might come back for more info if I get stuck.
Did anyone try this unit for
Submitted by vlad.shumeyko on
Did anyone try this unit for m26m rotating mast: www.openwind.de ?