I use a Windex 6 Dinghy on the bowsprit of my Weta Trimaran but this has proven not to be an ideal product for the application. 1. The elastic of the mast fitting (now replaced with an o-ring) is not firm enough to keep the shaft in position due to wave action. However, the o-ring is not secured by the fitting and can fall off during installation/retrieval. Solution: I have replaced the o-ring with an 80mm loop of 3mm shock cord which fits securely to the mast fitting and provides a much more secure location of the shaft which is resistant to waves. 2. Recently the wake from a powerboat caused the shaft to break off at the connection to the mast fitting. Solution: Replace the carbon shaft with a fibreglass rod which will have more flexibility. 3. The black vane is not easy to see against the water - unlike similar colourful vane systems from Ronstan, Davis, Windward etc. While it makes sense to have a black wind vane when viewed against the sky in a yacht, it doesn't make sense in a dinghy. I have coloured the pointer and tail of my vane with vinyl wrap material. Solution: Either attach a colourful coloured vinyl sticker to the unit during construction instead of the Windex logo or include a sticker pack with the product. 4. The finger grip for tightening the shaft in the mast fitting is not easy to tighten enough to secure the rod properly. OK I know I can use a screwdriver to tighten it further but it's not always convenient. Solution: Replace the screw with a GoPro-style thumb screw which provides much better grip.
I use a Windex 6 Dinghy on the bowsprit of my Weta Trimaran but this has proven not to be an ideal product for the application.
1. The elastic of the mast fitting (now replaced with an o-ring) is not firm enough to keep the shaft in position due to wave action. However, the o-ring is not secured by the fitting and can fall off during installation/retrieval.
Solution: I have replaced the o-ring with an 80mm loop of 3mm shock cord which fits securely to the mast fitting and provides a much more secure location of the shaft which is resistant to waves.
2. Recently the wake from a powerboat caused the shaft to break off at the connection to the mast fitting.
Solution: Replace the carbon shaft with a fibreglass rod which will have more flexibility.
3. The black vane is not easy to see against the water - unlike similar colourful vane systems from Ronstan, Davis, Windward etc. While it makes sense to have a black wind vane when viewed against the sky in a yacht, it doesn't make sense in a dinghy. I have coloured the pointer and tail of my vane with vinyl wrap material.
Solution: Either attach a colourful coloured vinyl sticker to the unit during construction instead of the Windex logo or include a sticker pack with the product.
4. The finger grip for tightening the shaft in the mast fitting is not easy to tighten enough to secure the rod properly. OK I know I can use a screwdriver to tighten it further but it's not always convenient.
Solution: Replace the screw with a GoPro-style thumb screw which provides much better grip.