Wind Indicators: Schaefer Hawk Range for Dinghies, Cruisers and Catamarans
A wind indicator is a small vane you can read at a glance, so you can see apparent wind direction without looking at an instrument. Reference arms on the vane show your upwind or downwind angles and make shifts and gusts easy to spot. The range here is the Schaefer Hawk family, which uses a "V" jewel bearing and a precision-balanced vane arm that Schaefer designed to respond instantly to shifts with minimal inertia. The right model depends on three things: the size of your boat, where you want to read it (masthead, gooseneck height or the forestay bridle), and how you will rig and de-rig it.
Schaefer Hawk Wind Indicators We Carry
- Hawk (10 in vane, boats to 8 m): the original Hawk. Nylon vane arm, aluminum support rod that can be bent to suit and straightened if knocked, and a mast clip that mounts vertically or horizontally and comes off without tools. The reference arms adjust and lock at any angle for tacking or gybing.
- Great Hawk (15 in vane, boats from 8 m to 20 m): the larger version for cruising and racing yachts. Glass-filled nylon reference arms that can be preset at 55, 60 or 65 degrees or any angle you prefer, usable for upwind or downwind angles; a 5 mm aluminum support rod; removes from its mast bracket with one screw, and the bracket mounts vertically or horizontally.
- Little Hawk Mk 1 (dinghies up to 6 m): a small, light masthead indicator, popular on Optimists. Nylon vane arm and an aluminum rod that you can bend to the angle you want.
- Little Hawk Mk 2: the Mk 1 mounted at gooseneck height in front of the mast, so a smaller single-handed dinghy sailor can read wind direction without looking up the mast. Popular with Laser sailors. It mounts on an adjustable bracket and removes without tools.
- Little Hawk Race (boats up to 8 m): the Mk 1 cut to a minimal length with a light mounting system for the least weight and drag. The mast clamp goes on with two self-tapping screws (included), and the indicator pushes into place and removes easily.
- Hawk Race: the Hawk vane at gooseneck height in front of the mast, designed primarily for larger single-handed dinghies, for upwind and downwind reference without looking at the masthead. Adjustable bracket, bendable aluminum rod.
- Cat Hawk (non-spinnaker catamarans up to 8 m): built to mount on the front of the forestay bridle, where it is visible both upwind and downwind. It uses the same vane arm as the Hawk, with a quick-mount clip for fast rigging and de-rigging, and reference arms that can be set for upwind or downwind angles.
How to Choose
- Boat size first: Schaefer sizes the vane by boat: Little Hawk Mk 1 for dinghies to 6 m, Hawk and Little Hawk Race to 8 m, Great Hawk from 8 m to 20 m, and Cat Hawk for non-spinnaker catamarans to 8 m.
- Where you read it: masthead (Hawk, Great Hawk, Little Hawk Mk 1 and Race), gooseneck height in front of the mast (Little Hawk Mk 2, Hawk Race) or on the forestay bridle (Cat Hawk). Gooseneck-height models save a dinghy sailor from looking up the mast.
- Reference arms: on the Hawk and Great Hawk the reference arms are adjustable, so set them to your tacking or gybing angles. The Great Hawk can be preset to 55, 60 or 65 degrees.
- Handling the mast: the aluminum rods on the Hawk range bend and straighten if the indicator is knocked while the mast is stepped or unstepped. Several models remove without tools for storage.
Who It's For
Dinghy and one-design sailors who trim by the wind angle, racing teams on boats up to 8 m, cruising and racing yachts up to 20 m, and catamaran owners who want a vane at the forestay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Hawk and the Great Hawk?
The size. The Hawk has a 10 in vane for boats to 8 m; the Great Hawk has a 15 in vane for boats from 8 m to 20 m. The Great Hawk also has glass-filled nylon reference arms that can be preset at 55, 60 or 65 degrees.
Which wind indicator fits a dinghy?
The Little Hawk Mk 1 for dinghies up to 6 m at the masthead, the Little Hawk Mk 2 at gooseneck height, or the Hawk Race at gooseneck height for larger single-handed dinghies.
What wind indicator is made for a catamaran?
The Cat Hawk, for non-spinnaker catamarans up to 8 m. It mounts on the forestay bridle so it is visible upwind and downwind.
Can I bend the rod if it gets knocked?
Yes. Schaefer says the aluminum support rod on the Hawk range can be bent to the angle you need and straightened again if the indicator is knocked.
How do I remove it for storage or when stepping the mast?
Several models come off without tools: the Hawk mast clip is removable by hand, the Great Hawk comes off its bracket with one screw, and the Little Hawk Mk 2 and Hawk Race remove from their adjustable bracket.