Solar or Wind

[Liam -Santa Cruz]

I had been agonizing for months over whether to rig the boat with Solar Pannels or a Wind Generator.
Most of my sailing is San Francisco to Mexico. Although there is pleanty of wind in San Francisco once south as far as The Channel Islands you can't always count on enough wind to turn a generator. That is especially true in the Sea of Cortez Mexico. So I was leaning toward solar.
A while back my wife and I were aboard a boat with an Air-Breeze wind generator. She said that she would not likely ever get used to the sound and vibration. After all, one of the reasons we cruise is to get away from that sort of thing. So the decision was made... go solar.
I orderd a SolarStik with a transom mount. My wife had said "just spend the money and buy quality." It arrived last week. When I unpacked it I was absolutely blown away! The quality of this thing is truely amazing. The design, materials, and workmanship are flawless.
Before it arrived I was starting to have a little buyers remorse.
Not now. I am absolutely thrilled and can see why it costs what it does. I will say that it is worth every penny.
I installed the transom mount yesterday. It took me about 5 hours to plan, measure, cut, mount, and fasten. This thing is bullet proof. I could probably lift my boat with this transom mount bracket! I will do the wiring and complete the installation today.
My hat is off to the team at SolarStik. You guys are a class act all the way.
I am stoked!!

 

[sailingdog]

IMHO, you've paid a huge sum for two 50 Watt solar panels, a BlueSky MPPT charge controller and a really elaborate stainless steel mounting post.

 

[newly anonymous]

solar is nice, yeah...

...but it doesn't work all that well at night. Or when sailing under the marine layer. Or in the rain. Or...
More and more cruisers seem to favor dual systems: solar + wind. Agonistic thinking (solar vrs wind) makes more sense to bloggers than actual cruisers.

 

[sailaway78]

My .02

Solar vs Wind
There are plenty of pro's and con's over both systems, and the claims for both are generally somewhat over blown. A 50 watt rated solar panel will produce 50 watts only under ideal conditions. A 400 watt wind machine will produce 400 watts only at wind speeds at or over 25 knots. In real life, if you can get half the rated output on either, you are doing pretty good. If you look at the watts of both systems, wind is much more bang for the buck. A 400 watt wind machine is roughly the same cost as a bare 80 or so watt solar panel. The wind doesn't blow all the time and the sun doesn't shine at night, so I consider that a wash. The deciding factor for me is that when offshore, you can put a propeller attachment on the wind machine, ( some of them ) and have dependable, consistant output, with no noise, no vibration. Makes no matter if the wind is blowing or the sun shining. And you still have spent a lot less bucks than equal solar power. Being as you have sprung for the bucks for a Solar Stick, you are pretty well commited to solar.

 

[Rick D]

Good For You... Give Us A Follow-up

In the ten years we have moored in Cat Harbor, Catalina Island, I have seen a shift from wind to solar among the full-time boats. There is plenty of wind in Cat, but it doesn't blow all day. The combination of both seems to be a good solution. However, I was on one boat that the wife insisted the wind generator be tied off when she was aboard since it was so irritating. It was one of the early ones tho. I use three 22-watt solar panels when I am there. They handle the separate freezer & frig compressors, the inverter draw, radio and CD player for about eight hours during the summer. With perhaps double, I could bank some for the evening, but not enough to break even I suspect. However, I have learned by trial and error that the panel orientation to the sun makes a really big difference. Rick D.

 

[Ross]

Re: Good For You... Give Us A Follow-up

I think that conservation should be an important part of the decision of solar or wind. With the newer LED lamps coming on line and the advances in refrigeration systems should make an energy budget easier to manage.

 

[liam-santa cruz]

interesting responses

Thanks everyone. I am interested to see that there is such a negative rancor. I don't get it. I was just sharing a decision to add gear and being happy about it.
Basically two 50 watt solar panels, a Blue Sky controller and an amazingly cool and high quality way to mount it. Whats the big deal?
I did not realize that this was such a charged topic.
I don't mind paying a fair price for quality. I appreciate good things and I am willing to pay for quality. Some people drive Corrola's and shop a Walmart. That's okay. But they shouldn't be bitter if others choose something better.
I have a really fine sailboat but there is always someone who has a better, bigger, or finer sailboat. Should I be angry or resentful? That would be a crappy way to live life.
Would I have gotten a whole bunch of att' boys and thumbs-up's on this forum if I would have written a post about how to take some duct tape and dumpster findings to make something really "cool" for my boat?
Really, I just don't get it.

 

[Phil Herring]

Just a thought...

People tend to be a bit suspicious of a guest to in forum who's first post is a product endorsement. The Solar Stik product has some fans here, too, and was developed by a forum regular. My hunch is, had you registered and eased into the community you'd probably get better response to this post.

Not a criticism, but take it as free advice... and worth every penny.

 

[liam - santa cruz]

hey ross

yes, i have changed all my lighting to l.e.d.'s. that has made a huge difference in amp demand.

 

[liam- santa cruz]

thanks phil

actually i have been participating on this site for about three years. i know that there is a sort of "good old boys" network happening here. that is actually why i prefer guest status. it is that old groucho marks thing... "i wouldn't want to be in any organization that would have someone like me for a member".
I am not trying to sell solar sticks. i just happen to be really thrilled that I just added one to my gear inventory and thought i would share it. my guess is that anyone who took a good look at one would agree that they are quite nice. and, of course, it isn't for everyone. but then neither is radar, ais, or liferafts.
personally, i think that people who spend their money on big-screen plasma televisions or hummers are foolish consumers. but that is their choice and i would never criticize them.
sorry if i seemed to get a little defensive.
congrats on the new and upgraded website. good work.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Let's see some pictures

What type boat? I know of another Hunter owner who will be getting one this winter and can't wait to see the install. Do worry about the flames you get. Are you happy with it? That's all that matters......

 

[knowitall]

Liam - dont

Would I have gotten a whole bunch of att' boys and thumbs-up's on this forum if I would have written a post about how to take some duct tape and dumpster findings to make something really "cool" for my boat?
Really, I just don't get it.

 

[knowitall]

Liam - you don't owe anyone an apology!

"|Would I have gotten a whole bunch of att' boys and thumbs-up's on this forum if I would have written a post about how to take some duct tape and dumpster findings to make something really "cool" for my boat?"

 

[Phil Herring]

So, if I said you can't would you register?



I've always appreicated that Groucho line.

I saw the Solar Stik at Pac Sail Expo last year or the year before. It was a very impressive piece of hardware. (BTW, the Boat Babe wasn't there so I was completely objective.) All the math is way over my head so perhaps ignorance is bliss, but as Jim says, if you like it, that's what matters.

 

[Ross]

yes, i have changed all my lighting to l.e.d.'s. that has made a huge difference in amp demand.

Liam , I am the resident curmudgeon. This forum ain't big enough for two! Just take your licks like a big boy and join the fun. I am glad that you can afford the toys for your boat. I am also the resident tightwad so I am not much impressed with conspicuous consumption. You should make your boat please you as I have done with mine to please me. Nobody else in this world really cares. I will seek the best function at the lowest price for almost everything. If you prefer a Rolls Royce to my 21 year old Volvo that is just fine as long as you don't scorn my choices.

 

[Franklin]

Mr. Guest:

For what it is worth, it was my first impression too that you were just trying to sell something.

I believe if one is cruising, then he should have both. If he's just looking to keep the batteries charged while on a mooring, then solar is the way too go. If you can only afford one, go with wind as said before, on average you get more amp per $.

 

[Ross]

With my energy consumption rate, 30 minutes of engine with a 50 amp alternator every three days replenishes my batteries. Read a book, light a lantern, turn off the TV and stereo. Either get away from it or stay at home.

 

[Maine Sail]

Hermit,

Chill out buddy his IP matches his said location. Until we know differently we need to treat Liam with the respect anyone new to this board deserves. Brian & Steph (Solar Stik) are based out of St. Augustine Florida and Liam is in California.

The Stik is a beautiful piece of equipment and I can see why an owner would want to let others know about it. In this day and age where marine stuff seems to last months not years it's nice to see a quality piece of equipment every now and then..

P.S. Liam has posts on here going back to 2005 and he IS a registered user but chose not to log in or does not know his new login name with the change over to the new site. Before we jump down the throats of unregistered users lets all take a deep breath because they may actually have been participating here for a while!

 

[Ross]

Rick D , you should live as it pleases you. Read my post to Liam. I don't care if you have all of the latest gadgets and toys that you can find at the latest boat shows. If you want to brag about how you have been able to live luxuriously aboard your boat that is fine with me but don't expect me to applaud your extravagance.

 

[Maine Sail]

OK, I deleted my nastiness. It all seems suspicious though. It's weird how the post says solar or wind but he's already made up his mind.
Liam, you could just post 'solar stik testamonial'.
He likes to go 'sailing' in places there is no wind, so the solar stick is perfect?

Hermit,

As I said above Liam has been here since at least 2005. I know what boat he owns and what his last name and is he is a contributor just like you. This site does NOT mandate registration as Phil wants it open to all comers. Please try to keep this civil. You say you removed nastiness yet then replaced it with more questions of Liam's credibility? This just adds to the controversy..