I realize this is a totally different thing from what most of us do, but I was just reading about the Hugo Boss team pulling out of the Vendee Globe race because they lost one of their hydro generators. Granted these guys are doing over 20 knots, but it would seem like they were not very conservative on their power use if the loss of a single generator could knock them out of the race.
There is a LOT to run on those boats and they are built as light as possible. Most of them use LiFePO4 batteries which are lighter and more energy dense. They also do not suffer from "acceptance" issues that typical lead acid batteries do so they can be charged to 100% quite easily. The AP's on those boats, usually two complete systems, demand huge amounts of power as do the many displays, radar and monitoring / weather equipment they use. These boats are also equipped with Immarsat Sat C, Marine Sat comms for internet speeds as fast as 128K and multiple remote cameras for video and still photos. Some of the boats are using canting keels which also require power.. I do know at least one of the boats is currently "Eco" powered and that is Acciona..
Different Vendee boats take different approaches. Mapfre the 2009 winner used Genasun LiFePO4 batteries and charged it all with an alternator and IFG (integrated flywheel generator). Over the entire 100 +/- days of the race she used just 25 gallons of fuel to recharge the Genasun packs because she could recharge at about 300A which meant about an hour every two to three days. Redundant systems are great and with the abuse these boats take it would not be surprising to see multiple systems go down. Perhaps the hydrogenerator was the last resort and other systems were already down. Many VOR boats also use LiFePO4 packs such as Telefonica..
My buddy Bruce was the first American to complete the Vendee Globe. He designed all the systems on his own boat, OceanPlanet. She too used LiFePO4 batteries. Bruce is now the importer or rep for Genasun, Solbian Solar Panels and Watt & Sea Hydrogenerators ...
These boats take TREMENDOUS levels of abuse. Where most cruisers would be sailing under bare poles Vendee racers are flying full canvas and planing at 20+ knots in the roaring 40's...
These boats are also pushing the envelope as far as possible. In the last few days alone the monohull 24 hour nm distance records have been smashed numerous times..
545.3 nautical miles was the distance covered in 24 hours by Fraçois Gabart. He broke the record twice in the last few days and it was recently re-set Dec. 1. Stuff breaks at this level of racing and there is not a lot you can do to prevent it if you want to remain competitive.. Hell even with near coastal sailing stuff breaks all the time....
