Overview

The Raymarine R28171 is a long arm masthead wind vane assembly for Raymarine wired wind instrument systems, used to measure apparent wind speed and wind angle from the top of the mast. It is a replacement long arm assembly without the mast cable, so it is best suited to service work where the existing mast wiring is being retained or where a separate Raymarine cable assembly is being installed.

The long arm layout helps move the vane and anemometer cups farther away from disturbed airflow around the masthead and sails. That matters on sailing boats where wind data is used for sail trim, layline decisions, autopilot wind mode, and general passage making.

Key features

• Long arm masthead wind vane assembly for Raymarine wired wind instrument systems.
• Measures apparent wind speed and apparent wind angle for display and instrument processing.
• Used with Raymarine wind displays and instrument systems including i60 Wind, ST60, ST60+, ST70, i70 and ST290 configurations when the proper interface is in place.
• ST70 and i70 installations require an iTC-5 instrument transducer converter or the correct Raymarine wind interface.
• Replacement assembly is not supplied with a mast cable, so cable condition and compatibility should be checked before installation.
• Long arm format is a practical fit for sailing boats where cleaner airflow above the rig is important for useful wind readings.

Installation and setup

This assembly mounts at the masthead and connects into the Raymarine wired wind transducer circuit. Before sending a crew member aloft, confirm that the existing cable has enough slack for the connector to be removed and refitted, and check the cable, base, and connector condition for corrosion, UV damage, or mechanical wear.

Because this is a masthead sensor component, alignment matters. The vane should be fitted square to the boat centerline so the displayed wind angle matches the actual wind angle across the deck. After installation, the wind instrument should be checked and calibrated through the connected Raymarine display or instrument system.

Compatibility and fit

The R28171 is intended for Raymarine wired wind systems rather than standalone NMEA 2000 masthead use. It can be part of installations using Raymarine instrument displays and interfaces, but the exact connection path depends on the display generation and whether the system uses a direct wind input, a wind pod, or an iTC-5 converter.

This is a good match for sailors replacing a damaged or worn long arm masthead wind vane while keeping the rest of the Raymarine wind system in service. It is also useful when building out a service kit for cruising boats, club racers, or larger sailboats that rely on wind angle and wind speed data for trim and navigation decisions.