Mark,

It should not bother either of us one bit that, “I'm simply not wired for your type of logic”. As I said, one of the GREAT things about being the captain of our own boats. I expect you are a lot younger than I?

I do think that you are incorrect that there are monos that could not mount or use windvanes. If a mono can set up a wind vane, it's because of other choices the captain made about the system. Yes, I have seen monos that would have problems setting up a windvane, but it had to do with the junk on the back, not the vane.

And yes, we have all heard about the out of control, spares hording. I am not going that route. My background was (retired now) in aircraft, then spacecraft. So, I am a bit familiar with systems that are redundant without going over the top. As I said, we have 3 GPS units aboard and we keep one small one in a Faraday Cage, just in case. When I was speaking about loss of power, I forgot to mention a lightning strike cooking off exposed gear. We were in Mazatlan Mexico when a strike took place mid channel. We were lucky with no problems, but a boat just down from us (further away from the strike) had most of there gear cooked off. Some of it was not even turned on or connected. An EMP strike.

We each have our own comfort zones, mine is to not go off shore on a passage over a few days without a windvane. Yours allows you to go.

When asked, I speak out with my thoughts, as did you. So, all is good.

Good conversation!

I'm off now to work on our re-rig. All new standing rigging. And Jill keeps on sewing new cushion covers.

Greg