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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Replacing my Wind Vane

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Johnny Whaler
1st Mate

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30 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/05/2007 : 20:43:59

It finally broke! My wind vane seems to have been used and a landing pad for a big bird and it is broken. I am pretty new to sailing and never changed one out before. I am 200 pounds so I think the idea of hoisting myself up the c25 mast is out of the question on a 27 year old boat. I am planning on goin gover to the town bulk head dock and trying to do it at low tide. Does anyone know what the wind vane type may be and what I should buy for a replacement?

Any suggestions / needed tools / and replacement type is greatly appreciated. I'd like to do this in one shot. I am thinkign if I get to the bulk head and bring my halyard with me I can pull the mast over enough to change it out.

Any help is appreciated. I never have these type of problems with my Whaler- just a big fuel bill!

Edited by - on

Jmurfy
Navigator

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USA
176 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2007 : 22:14:49

My C25 had a Windex type vane and I replaced in with an identical unit that I purchased from West Marine for about $15.00. It is really easy to change. Just some basic hand tools. Getting to it as you know is another issue. Its probable easiest just to lower the mast.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 05:25:01

First my old Wind vane tails came down, then the wind vane itself started to recline. When I rewired the mast, i had the windvane and the non-working anchor light replaced. I replaced the anchor light with an OGM LED Coast Guard approved light and replaced the windvane with a Windex w/Bird preventer spike.

The first day the mast was back up, I was sitting in the cockpit contemplating life when a small bird landed on the Windex. So much for the bird preventer. I guess it only prevents large birds from landing on it. Then, last fall, I had the boat painted and when the guys were transporting the boat by travel lift to the maintenance yard, a small branch way up there took off the bird preventer. other than that issue, the Windex works fine.

By the way...this marina that did the paintjob was same one that if you all remember way back, we had a guy named Dave that had his Catalina 25 damaged by a relatively inexperienced worker using the travel lift. he had posted his photos of the bow with what looked like "Jaws" with the first foot of the bow deck ripped up from the mast hitting the travel arm and the tension put on the front stay. By the way, dave is now located in my marina and with the money he received from the marina totalling his catalina, he bought one of those CDory motor boats that looks like a mini-lobster boat or pilot house boat. he is about 3 finger slips away from me.

No Windex on his CDory.

Larry

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 07:53:42

I think most would recommend the Davis Windex 15, (personally I can't imagine using any other).

I have mounted them two ways on Catalina 25s, one was to use a bracket and the other was to simply "tap" the masthead and screw the black base directly into the cast aluminum masthead.

Bracket

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 06/06/2007 07:54:26

crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 11:16:20

I used to have a windvane on a boat, but the wind came up and blew it off, then I replaced it and a bird came and sat on it so I went back to just sticking some yarn on the shrouds the way I learned and the birds pretty well leave it alone and about once a year I wish I still had a wind vane. I bought some of those little tell tales from Davis and they worked almost as well as the yarn. Then they faded out and turned white and got brittle and don't spin well. Going back to the yarn.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 11:53:26

After having my wind vane tabs blow off in very heavy winds, I now put a dollup of epoxy on them where the wire snaps in place.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 14:30:31

I think the Windex 15 comes into its own down wind at night, the bottom is coated with reflective tape.

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Johnny Whaler
1st Mate

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30 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 21:55:29

I bought the windex 15. I have to have the boat yar replace it. I can't get up there. It's good being 6'1" and 220 pounds when things go bad in the local gin mill But when you have to climb the mast of a 27 year old 25' boat it's no as exciting!

I asked around and NOBODY thought it was a good idea for me to go up there. The boat yard has a big forklift that will reach if the boat is in the travel lift pit. I can't wait to see this bill for 5 minutes work!

Thanks for the sugestions. I bought the 15. (that looks like what I have an what fell apart) but the new one has the bird spike.

Edited by - on

danandlu
Navigator

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USA
174 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 22:24:22

Before raising the mast last spring (2006) I installed a new Windex, the one with the bird spike. I used locktite on the threads for the installation. In July, sleeping in the vberth, I hear something metallic hit the deck and a small splash. In the light of day I find the spike had fallen. I must have neglected the locktite on it or it came apart on its own somehow. The Windex, what's left, works fine as of last weekend.

Edited by - on

DaveC25
Navigator

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USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2007 : 08:56:05

You might consider just lowering the mast in order to change the windvane. It only takes about 20 minutes to take down (I do it regularly without assistance since I trailer the boat to the water when I use it), and is much safer than hoisting yourself up the mast. Then it takes another 20 minutes to put it back up and retighten the shrouds and forestay.

Edited by - DaveC25 on 06/07/2007 08:58:33

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.