Instrument Question from a newbie

[SeanR]

Hi everyone!

Having recently purchased #295 from Aaron in Indy, I am a newbie to both this site and 7.9's. I have enjoyed reading all of the great information on the forum and look forward to participating. My sailing experience to date has been a couple of years as J24 owner (some time ago), pick up sailing on 30+ footers and more recently 2 years as main trimmer for a custom 40'er - Cash Flow. I'm looking forward to returning to my own program.

While I'm waiting for Indianapolis to thaw out and the boat to be delivered, I have a newbie question that I haven't seen in the forum.

I'm sure that most of you run speed and depth instruments, do you use any wind instruments other than a windex? If so what? I know it was hit or miss on most 30fters, but was wondering what you guys do.

[Tim Bosma]

We have a speed instrument and 2 compasses. Windex at top of mast. We know the waters we sail iln quite well and have only touched twice.

[Jeffrey]

We have recently replaced our Signet depth and knot meter with TackTic wireless. There is a two in one (knot meter and depth) through hull, that fit my existing hole but I had to remove the old fitting and use the new one. I also purchase the compass and this all ties in to one double display, but you can get as many display's as you want. I haven't purchased the mast head unit, but that would be cool! We just use the windex.

I put the compass in front of the keel trunk, I had to add a board stretching across this area to attach the compass to, this is under the bunk. Even though this is a wireless system there is a fair amount of wiring to the transmitter. Jeff Mootz Skyhawk #250

[Bob Kirsten]

You won't regret joining the S2 7.9 gang. I had been emailing Aaron to get info on the boat for a friend up in Traverse City when Aaron emailed me that it was sold. It sounds like a great boat, from a knowledgeable owner.

I replaced the original instruments with the full set of Raymarine, including the wind. I had to make some external and internal plexiglass bevels to mount them into the port and starboard cockpit cabin sides. It is not ideal for racing because someone is always in the way, but great for single handing. I have also raced with Vanquish on Lake St Clair, and their boat has a great rig, all instruments integrated and mounted up on a badge bar over the companionway hatch. This is ideal, but theirs is the only boat I have seen this set up on. As you would expect, I still left the windex up at masthead. F

Bob Kirsten
DD Mau

[grandillusion]

ahhhh sailing across little traverse bay in a T storm wish I was there, well I've been there

[Fred Chadsey]

I recently installed a TacTic wireless wind instrument which has been best addition I've made to Kaotic. Downwind sailing it's a must (don't have to stare upward all the time). Also we get wind velocity changes rapidly and sail selection is critical. We love it !!

[BarryE]

Wow, I must really be old school; all I have is a windex thats bent over to one side so that it points forward, or backward, or up and down depending on wind speed, and some dental floss tied to the shrouds.

[dave]

A small token of wisdom: I sail with a Windex because I do just fine without the other junk, but beware: they are tail heavy and will NOT tell you the truth in the light stuff unless you shave off the tail fin section until they balance at a 45 degree angle, INDOORS with no air moving. Do it, you won't believe the difference!

[tpf]

I found the most important sensor was the tiller. I could tell if the boat was slow based on the feel. Don't put so much crap on that you are not paying attention to the boat.

When I sold the boat and the new owner was asking about the electronics I had to plead ignorance regarding how they worked. I told him they worked when I bought it 8 years before but never used them.

The best investment I ever made was two 5W solar panels that I mounted on the cabin top for maintaining the battery.