New wind strut or new instruments?

[Jolly Roger]

When I purchased Concerto there was no wind strut for the wind instrument. It did not worry me, but now sailing I am missing having the information on the display. The problem is should I buy a new wind strut or change all the instrumentation.

The current instruments are Brookes and Gatehouse from 1996 and the log and depth both function well and will last for a great number of years as they are considered to be the Rolls Royce of instruments. The wind strut is still manufactured, so is replaceable at a cost of about £625. Ouch. That is a lot of money for two potentiometers.

For £1400 I can buy a complete set of Raymarine log, depth and wind instruments. These can also be interfaced with my e7 chart plotter.

The new wind strut is a quick fix and at a lower cost to have all instruments functioning quickly. New Raymarine instruments will mean a lot of work in the spring removing the old instruments, transducers and cables (which could be resold), but updates the boat to a newer standard. If I go down the new instrument route, then I will also have to buy or make a new instrument pod to house them.

Do you think the new instruments would make Concerto more saleable in 10 years time (thats how long I expect to keep her) or is the extra expense and effort worth doing as both sets of instruments would be considered old in 10 years time.

What would you do?

[aquaplane]

Ten yr old instruments are worthless, says a bloke with a Navco depth sounder, Garmin 120 GPS, a broken VDO speed/distance log a windex at the top of the mast all >10yrs old.

If instruments work they are OK, but they are something waiting to break.

The BnG gear is good stuff so it should last longer than most replacements.

I'd keep what I have and maybe add the BnG wind instruments when I was feeling flush which isn't often.

The instruments will still be fit for purpose way after the plotter has become obsolete and should certainly be good for 10 yrs. Who knows what plotter software and electronic charts will be like in 10 yrs?

[Jolly Roger]

That was my thinking. It will be quicker and cheaper, but an awful lot of money for a relatively simple part.

Anyone else with any other comments?

[FreeWilly2]

Buying electronics (which apparently you do not desperately need) hoping it will add some value to your boat in 10 years from now, seems like wishful thinking to me...

[rhumlady]

I guess nothing is available on the second user market?

[Jolly Roger]

There was a B&G wind strut on ebay recently, but it was the wrong type for my instruments. B*G have a number of different wind struts, but I am looking continually.

[JayT]

Might as well try a Wanted Ad on the WOA website. You are a member, so it is free; a no cost possibility?

[Jolly Roger]

It is worth a try. But I really need to find someone who is scrapping similar instruments because of a faulty display unit or an upgrade. I do feel this will be the best route to follow for a while until I just decide to bite the bullet.

[JayT]

Understood. You can ask the same question on the wanted Ads...

[Jolly Roger]

Just obtained a used B&G Network wind strut. So no need to bite the bullet with a new unit.

[aquaplane]

Good news!