An older boat I recently purchased (27 Catalina) is bare bones when it comes to electrical; one deep cycle battery hooked up to the navigational lights - that's about it. I would like to add the following: 1) 4 to 6 gold cart batteries 2) solar panel that is either 25 or 40 watts 3) wind generator 4) a charger/inverter 5) replace the old electrical panel 6) add wiring so I can be hooked up to shore power and run lights, microwave, etc. I am doing this so I can go on "extended" cruises without reliance on marinas. Some one told me you can run solar power and the wind generator at the same time - is this true and why? What is a rough plan that is workable, I'm thinking switches etc. I'm assuming I will need a switch to change what batteries are being charged or I chose to use. I'm assuming a switch between solar power, wind generator or shore power (inverter?), but I must confess I am pretty new to all of this, so any guidance would be appreciated.