Girouette bateau

What is a boat weather vane?

A boat weathervane is a marine accessory, generally made of stainless steel, most of the time installed on the mast head, made with an arrow in aluminum mounted on a fixed vertical axis. The function of a boat weather vane is to show where the wind is coming from, by indicating with the arrow the cardinal point from which it comes. For example, if the arrow indicates North, it means that the wind comes from the North and goes towards the South. In this case we will most commonly say “Strong wind from the North”, and not “Strong wind from the South”. The weather vane often indicates the wind that will hit the sails within one to three seconds, giving time to adjust the direction of the boat or sails to take advantage of the new direction the wind will take.

How does a weather vane work on a sailboat?

The weathervane is an iron navigational instrument usually found on the roof of houses, but their use is paramount by boat. The materials most often used for weather vanes are steel and aluminum, because they guarantee very high resistance, and therefore a long lifespan. Boat weathervanes consist of a rotating device, usually an arrow, mounted on a fixed axis which sometimes displays the direction of the wind. A cross is also placed on this fixed axis, allowing the cardinal origin of the wind to be determined. With this kind of gadget, you will have no trouble determining where the wind is coming from and where it is heading.

You will be able to precisely determine the angle at which to position your sail, which will allow it to sail safely to your destination. Some weather vanes do not have a cardinal point indication on the iron device because these fittings accessories can be electronic: these weather vanes display the wind direction on a computer screen on board. The wind data is therefore more precise and more developed. The weather vane is one of the most used fittings accessories on boats. The other most common fittings on a boat are anemometers and barometers.

How much wind does it take for sailing?

Thanks to an electronic weather vane, you will be able to measure wind speed. Measuring the wind using your electronic weather vane will allow you to know if the weather conditions are favorable for sailing or other water sports. In navigation, the unit of measurement for wind is the knot, 1 knot = 1.852 km/h. To practice habitable sailing, light sail or dinghy a speed between 5 knots and 20 knots is ideal. It will be easy for you to manage all situations whatever the speed of your boat, and to sail under full sail. If an electronic weather vane shows you a speed in 5 and 20 knots, you will notice that the sea conditions are calm and the waves are often less than 1 meter. These conditions allow even inexperienced sailors to feel comfortable. As you approach 20 knots, you might consider reefing, reducing the area of ​​one of your sails.

What is the most favorable wind for sailing?

Thanks to your iron weather vane, you will be able to generally determine the weather hazards that will occur. In summer, the north wind and the east wind generally announce fairly dry and cloudless weather. The southerly wind gives way to hot and humid weather, with a risk of thunderstorms. The west wind augurs a cool breeze accompanied by rain. For the winter season, if the North wind or the East wind appears, plan for dry and cold weather. Be careful of the southwest wind, it often announces a storm. The west wind is generally followed by several days of rain. Keep in mind that these indications are unreliable, but can sometimes give a vague idea of ​​approaching weather events, or sometimes serve as confirmation of an idea expressed by an approved meteorological institute.

How to adjust your boat weather vane?

First, a weather vane must be perfectly adjusted to be effective. We are talking about a “balanced” weathervane. If your iron weather vane is not balanced, this type of hardware accessories will not allow you to detect weak winds. To find out if your weathervane is well balanced, stand in a place without drafts. Tilt the weather vane and check that it stays still no matter which way you turn it. Then spin the weather vane. If you notice that your accessory does not return to its original position, then this means that it is not balanced. One side of the weathervane is therefore heavier than another. So, to balance your poorly adjusted iron weathervane, the simplest solution is to cut a bit of fabric from the sail, and glue it to the opposite side that is too heavy. This will balance everything.

Where to place your boat weather vane?

You You will need to place your boat weather vane at the level of the mast head, the part at the very top of the mast. To do this, you will need to climb the mast, preferably when your boat is docked. Make sure you are well equipped to climb the mast safely. We recommend that you do not climb the mast if you are alone on your boat. Take care to hoist yourself to the top of the mast using strong rope. This rope must be checked by you or your crew before climbing the mast. When it comes to installing your weather vane, rely on the user manual or instructions for your iron weather vane. Installation may differ depending on the weather vane you own.

Which brand of boat weather vane to choose?

The three brands of boat weather vane to choose are the Hawk , Plastimo weather vanes and Windex weather vanes. Hawk, Plastimo and Windex are brands specializing in the production of quality fittings accessories. The products most often in stock are Hawk weathervanes, as they are very popular. The price of a weather vane varies between 25 and 90 euros. A weather vane with excellent value for money can generally be found at a price of 40 euros. Of course, do not rely on price as the sole criterion for choosing your weathervane: it must be adapted to your boat. The is priced at 45 euros. One of the highest quality weathervanes on the market is the Vireflex 15' Weathervane ' Plastimo , which is priced at 83 euros.

Where to buy a boat weather vane?

Find on our website Nautisports.com a wide range of boat weather vanes from all brands of reference. Nautisports ships your weathervane in stock the day you order it. Your iron weather vane in stock will be delivered to you within 48 hours. This type of product ships easily. Once shipped, one of our carriers will take care of delivering it to your home or to a relay point. You will receive your weathervane in a cardboard box or in plastic covers. Inside, you will find the weather vane sometimes packaged in Hawk, Plastimo or Windex brand covers.