I'm buying a 1994 36MKII, survey is tomorrow. One of the many things I want to add is a mast head mounted wind speed and direction unit. I notice that I can get a good looking wireless unit for actually less than the Raymarine wired one (comes with 90' of wire). on the wireless unit, the masthead sender is solar powered and the display is 12 volt. Has anyone tried any of these wireless intruments? Or must I be the first?
Thanks,
Capt Sam
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Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Sam, I have fitted a TackTick wireless windspeed/direction unit (TO33). The install was very straight forward, no wires to thread down the mast & though the boat.
I'm generally very please with it except I have had issues with signal loss at times which I put down to the fact that my display unit is sited underneath a GRP dodger. It draws only 0.1 amp so I leave it switched on all the time which seems to have helped with the signal loss issue.Height of your mast is a consideration for TackTick model selection.
Alan Brookes
Swanson 32
Koombana Bay
Western Australia
thanks Alan,
The survey went well today. So it looks like I'm going to be the owner of a 36.
I'mgoing to buy the wireless unit. I appreciate your input.
Sam
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Hey, Capt. Sam! Glad all went well with the survey and looking forward to you joining the rest of us who love our boats.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
There are at least two options for wireles masthead units - Tacktick and Nexus. Tacktick uses a fully wireless system, except for the speedo transducer and the brain box in the boat, and solar powered displays. Nexus uses a traditional wired system for everything except the 'up the mast' parts. I think you would find that the Nexus system is generally more reliable and has better PC interface options etc, plus you can mount the displays under a dodger where the sun will never hit them and they will work better.
Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Thanks to all, I also found a good review on "Practical Sailor's" web site, comparing the Tacktec and Nexus tri-date wireless systems.
Capt. Sam
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida