Raymarine wind instruments issue

[HenryTully]

Folks.

Just joined Sailnet again after not using for 2 years. Anyway, I'm a sailor from the beautiful state of NJ. I keep my Sabre 402 in Toms River at the shore. We pretty much cruise every summer to New England. Our favorite port is Martha's Vinyard.

I've been thinking of spring projects on the boat so here goes with one question. My Raymarine wind instrument is not working properly. It doesn't show true apparent wind direction accurately and the speed is incorrect. I think it's the sensor. At least I hope it's the sensor. Any thoughts on how best to confirm my opinion?

Hank Tully

[Faster]

Hank, moved your post from introductions to here... should get a better response.

[L124C]

Originally Posted by HenryTully

I've been thinking of spring projects on the boat so here goes with one question. My Raymarine wind instrument is not working properly. It doesn't show true apparent wind direction accurately and the speed is incorrect. I think it's the sensor. At least I hope it's the sensor. Any thoughts on how best to confirm my opinion?
Hank Tully

Though we know what kind of boat you have and where you sail it, you didn't mention which model instrument you have. Help us help you! Check Raymarine's website for trouble shooting. I had/have issues with my Raymarine wind instrument. Well documented here:http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...nstrument.html. Unfortunately, the take away was that I discovered the bad reputation Raymarine instruments and customer service have is well deserved. Your "spring project" might be better spent replacing, rather than repairing! Lots of other info on the Forum if you search.

[BELLATRIX1965]

I took our wonky ST-60 wind instrument and masthead sensor to our local authorized Raymarine shop - Wayfarer Marine in Camden, ME (I called first of course), and the very helpful tech put both parts on the test bench, determined that it was, indeed the sensor (as I suspected) and charged me nothing for the diagnosis. I purchased a new sensor (with a one year warantee)direct from Raymarine (not cheap, but a lot less than a whole new unit). Damn thing has worked fine for two years - knock wood!

[Faster]

Similar good experience with our local rep when our wheel pilot controller died. Tested the unit and replaced with new.

Worth checking with your local guy...

[L124C]

Originally Posted by Faster

Similar good experience with our local rep when our wheel pilot controller died. Tested the unit and replaced with new.
Worth checking with your local guy...

I originally tried to take the unit to the local Raymarine rep in SF. Never actually found his shop (which was strange), but did talk to him on the phone. He said that he only does installations and told me to ship it back East to Raymarine. If anyone knows a a place in the Bay Area that actually services Raymarine equipment, I'd love to know about them! I simply can't do the shipping/email/phone, running around in circles with "techs" in Massachusetts thing anymore.
In any case...I'm glad to hear you and the previous poster had good experiences!

[chef2sail]

WB Henry,

I was aslso from NJ..Ocean City where I lived for 18 years whicke working in Atalntic City. We kept our boat at the then new Dillons Creek marina in Toms River. We do the LI Sound trip north every summer and are leaving the Chessapeake Aug 15/16 this year with a few other boats maybe it will coincide with part of your trip and we can share some stories or an anchorage. Checlk our posts on the Chesapeake-Destinations part of thois site.

As far as your ST60 wind instrument, I had a similar issue. Sent mine away to my local RM tech and like others they gave me a free diagnosis. I would try that route. New sensor was 1/2 the price of a new unit and mine has worked fine for 3 years.

Dave