Chandlery

April 2013 Issue

The Fine Art of Sensing the Wind

The cheapest wind indicators are bestowed at birth: your nose, the back of your neck, and your fingers. Forget digital precision; these wind indicators are dialed in. They even sense changes in temperature that, in squally weather, can signal a sudden backing wind. Even the most sophisticated wind sensors can’t compete with a direct skin-to-brain link. The next step up from our dermal cells is a bit of yarn in the shrouds—super light Angora wool, if you’re a stickler. Here, the eyes intervene in the process, so the brain must do a bit more exercise. We’ll call this soft technology.

To continue reading this entire article you must be a paid subscriber.

Subscribe to Practical Sailor

Get the next 7 issues of PRACTICAL SAILOR for just $19.97. And access all of our online content - more than 1,500 evaluations, reviews and articles on sailing gear, equipment and boats - free of charge.

That's a savings of more than $14 off the regular rate. Or double your savings and subscribe for 14 issues for just $39.94.

Already subscribe but haven't registered for all the benefits of the website? Click here.

Subscriber Log In

Forgot your password? Click Here.