who has one of these, are they any use and how much did you pay ?

I just saw one on radioshack for £25

I've got one that cost a fortune.

Gun Sails did have some good ones at £35.

Al.

I don't think Al goes to the beach without his yellow windy thing. He's be lost without it!

It is quite cool, but I'm not sure hoe much notice I really take of it. I use it as an excuse NOT to go out if its reading below 15 knots, and use it as an excuse NOT to go kite-surfing if its above 15 knots.

Other than that, I can usually tell which size sail to use without it, but do still check:
11-14 knots kitesurfing
14-16 knots 6.3m and big board (Fanatic Cross 100)
16-18 knots 5.7m and big board
18-20 knots 5.7m and Hifly 265
20-25 knots 5.0 and wave board
25-30 knots 4.5m and wave board
30+ knots 3.4m and wave board!!!


Al.

you need a windometer to know when it's 3.4m weather ? I thought you were living in a caravan

Those wind gizmos are very accurate, that's for sure. BUT they only accurately measure the speed blowing around the gizmo, which is usually on the beach and quite low down. So you end up using it as a relative thing. Example. I can stand on the beach at P-bay, my local spot, and if it reads an average 12 knots I know I'm ok on my largest sail of 6.5 metres. This is because it will be windier on the water. The yacht club has an anemometer too but that is at the top of a mast and will show speeds more consistent with Met Office standards, two or three knots more than my Wind Watch. This is not because it is more accurate. Just that it is higher up. I think the Met Office wind speeds are at 30 metres (it may be 30 feet) and they don't count gusts.

Ive just bought a wind meter from Gun sails.com as mentioned by Al.
Its a digital 1 & seems quite good,although i havnt got to the beach yet, ive been trying it out on the fans at work,My fan was 15.2knts F4,,,,lol. how sad!!!

[Edited on 30-7-2003 by Spencer]