What’s Up? Autohelm ST50 Windicator

What’s up?   ME!  Yesterday David hoisted me up the mast to replace the wind indicator that the blankety blank birds sat on and destroyed.  This is our last spare part and I’m not sure I can get more …   so the dang birds need to leave it alone!

The view is spectacular from on high — I watched as manatees and their calves cavorted – five between our dock and “C” dock alone!  A cormorant with a fish bigger than he was amused me for some time as I sat up there waiting for David to fix the old Autohelm ST50 that I removed and sent down for a replacement indicator.

Rather than climb the mast as usual using the ATN Topclimber, David wanted to hoist me up — OK, but I think he was regretting his decision about 3/4 of the way up the 55′ mast!

At the top, I unscrewed the bar holding the three cups that give us the wind speed (and still work) and the broken indicator.  After unscrewing it, David hoisted a large canvas bag with another halyard and a line tied to the bottom to retrieve it.  I put the part in the bag and we lowered it to David.

Then I got to sit and watch the show below for a bit until David replaced the broken indicator.  He hoisted it, I replaced it, we checked it to make sure it was functioning, then David hoisted a bucket with soapy water and a scrubby sponge so I could clean the disgusting mold off the north side of the mast as I came down.

So now we have a clean mast, clean spreaders AND a wind indicator that works … STAY AWAY BIRDS!

We’re whittling down the list — two crossed off, one added — and working on evicting the mold under the cockpit that’s making us both sneeze and wheeze.  In another week or a bit more, we’ll be watching for a weather window to the Florida Keys … finally!

So what are your cruising plans this winter?  Please leave a comment and share!  Cheers!  Jan