A possible idea for a wind indicator for AI or TI

Hiyas
After cruising through the West Marine tome/catalogue today, I found this little nugget that should work on top of either mast for both vessels.

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/21128-bla ... dvane.html

The advantage is there is no indicators for your 'dead zone'. It simply just shows apparent wind, no matter how your sail is reefed or how your mast is orientated. It is shock cord mounted and should fit at the tip of the mast without any modifications. (you just need to remember that this delicate instrument is up there before stuffing the mast into the bag)
Your response would be appreciated before I slip the VISA into the slot
Trinomite

_________________
Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Would a streamer (small length of ribbon) achieve the same result?

why not just tie about a five foot length of ribbon to the top of the batten? It works, it adds very little weight, it's almost impossible to break but it can easily be replaced, and it costs a whole lot less than $ 40.

_________________
Island life in the Devil's Triangle:
http://2gringos.blogspot.com/

I also use a ribbon attached at the top of my mast as a wind indicator.
If you buy one at a fabric store, check to see what the material is made out of.
It should be as light as possible...but also not capable of storing static electricity.
My first attempt stuck to the dry sail as soon as the wind came up. Enough static was generated to hold the ribbon tight to the sail.
I rubbed the new ribbon on my wool sweater and then checked to see if the ribbon stuck to any synthetic fabric. I found a ribbon which did not stick and it
has worked great since then.

I tucked a short piece of fiberglass rod (driveway markers) in the masthead webbing and attached a length of neon pink surveyors tape. The rod helps keep it from tangling up in light air.

Works great and doesn't get much cheaper or easier to see.

I really like the Davis Spar-fly.



It attaches via a spring clip that fits perfectly into the web loop at the top of the TI sail [I don't know if the AI is the same]. Highly visible, very accurate, easy to install & remove.

I used a Davis Spar-Fly on my AI. The unit is made with a jeweled bearing. Which was the problem...I damaged two of them while in transport/storage. I finally started using a much cheaper ribbon instead (KISS).

some people like gadgets, some like simplicity.

I waver back and forth, but usually after the gadget breaks I end up with the simple solution.

_________________
Island life in the Devil's Triangle:
http://2gringos.blogspot.com/

My TI is on its third wind indicator.

The first, the Davis Spar-Fly, was great while it lasted. After several months of use, the red fly spar disintegrated. I decided it wasn't worth $20 for the replacement spars every few months.

The second, a long ribbon, kept getting stuck wrapped around the mast.

The third, the Davis Windex Sport 10, looks stronger than the Spar-Fly. Hopefully, its higher cost will provide greater value by lasting for a longer time. Sun E Sailor installed it on my TI and several other TIs in the area. His installation is so strong, that when a hurricane hits, I bet the last thing standing will probably be my wind indicator.

_________________
Marc K
2010 Hobie Tandem Island
Boynton Beach, FL