I may be mistaken, but I seem to recall that Practical Sailor had a problem with the Navman stuff when they tested it. Don't know if that report was duplicated in Powerboat Reports or whatever it's called. I'm trying to decide if I should switch - my subscription expires in June... FWIW, I have never seen one of those Rota-Vecta (or whatever) style wind meters on a boat anywhere. I don't have a wind meter on my sailboat. I figure that if I can't tell how hard it's blowing and from where, I shouldn't be out there. One more thing to blow away or be taken out by a big bird. There are many people who won't leave port if theirs isn't working. Funny how we become so dependant on this stuff! John "Seahorse"

At 07:08 AM 2/21/05 -0500, you wrote: >meters on a boat anywhere. I don't have a wind meter on my sailboat. I >figure that if I can't tell how hard it's blowing and from where, I >shouldn't be out there. One more thing to blow away or be taken out by a big The case for a wind meter has nothing to do with being able to estimate wind speeds or direction. It does have to do with being able to take a nap, at anchor or out in the open and being able to set an alarm that will warn you of wind speeds above a set threshold. It is amazing sometimes how little thought is given to these subtle sorts of issues, when you consider the number of boats that have gotten into trouble from a failure to keep an adequate watch. The wind alarm is an excellent example of being able to apply a little technology to a vexing problem. Namely that it is very tiring to have to keep a constant watch on wind speeds, especially if you are short handed from lack of crew or from someone being sick. Mike Capt. Mike Maurice Tualatin(Portland), Oregon