My problem with the masthead-mounted wind vain (1979 Datamarine, Corinthian Series LX-360 Wind Machine) started when this big butt Osprey decided to perch on my mast head mount wind vane support.  The vane was broken off and the support boom was bent. 

     I removed the support boom from the mast head, cleaned it up and sanded the top part over the cable entry (the break as seen in the picture below). 

     I applied JB Weld^© on the top of the brace and slid on a ½” x 6” length of brass tubing for support.  It dried solid by the next day.  The finished product is shown below.

     Next I lubricated the rotating cup spindle shaft lightly and reassembled.  The wind direction unit was sealed so I decided not to mess with it (I've learned this lesson the hard way). 

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     I ordered a new masthead fin from DMI Marine Incorporated (the company that bought all the Datamarine stuff ).   I used 3M 5200^© to secure the fin in place.  Turns out that the weight of the Plexiglas fin acts as a balance to offset the metal pointer on the other side of the head base.  (See picture below)

     Remember the original problem, that feathered thing, I choose to loop some small diameter galvanized screen and Monel seizing wire around the boom arm and tie it with the "ends pointed up," in what I hoped would look like a nasty place for birds feet.  It was easy to do and you don’t notice it from the deck.  My son's suggestion.

     The support boom was replaced back on the masthead unit with a new rubber grommet on the bracket.  Next, I had to realign the masthead unit with the cockpit display.  While I held the fin straight ahead, my son made the screwdriver adjustment to “0 degrees,” on the back of the cockpit unit. 

     The story is still out on how effective the “hurting feet” perch will be, but the masthead unit is working just fine.

     Update:  Four months later and no signs of Ospreys!

  How's this for some Nasty Bird Spikes