Wind Indicators
If you want to alter course or change sail position, you will usually first look at the wind indicator on top of the mast. That way, you know about the apparent wind direction. But also wave patterns on the water surface and aids such as camber stripes, telltales or shroud telltales provide immediate feedback. In comparison to cruising sailors, dinghy sailors or race sailors will perhaps be more concerned with accuracy and smooth-running when choosing the right wind indicator. In dinghy sailing, mast flies made of stainless steel wire and nylon cloth flag are …
… quite common. Especially in the Optimist-Dinghy class, for some mast makes special aluminium pole mast flies are used. When using a burgee as a wind indicator, a yachtsman's "pig stick" is traditionally seen on classic yachts. The burgee stick is raised above the height of the mast with a halyard or a flag-line. A windsock is also often seen on classic boats. A common sight in the mast top of many sailing yachts is popular arrow-shaped WINDEX-type wind indicators. These can also be seen attached to the VHF rod antenna or combined with a wind gauge.