I would like to mount an Air-X wind generator to the top of the mast to keep the batteries topped when anchored away from shore for extended time or on exetnded sail. The unit is only 13 LB but it would need a support that could handle 150 LBS of stress. Is this idea workable?
- Status
TOP OF MAST
Whatever weight you add to the top of the mast has a huge effect on the boats stability. Why not mount it lower, say at the spreaders? Novelman
Whatever weight you add to the top of the mast has a huge effect on the boats stability. Why not mount it lower, say at the spreaders? Novelman
Not at the top of the mast...
I've never seen a wind generator at the top of the mast, or anywhere on the mast for that matter. Besides making the mast much harder to step, and the generator impossible to access if you need to maintain it while underway, mounting a turbine anywhere on the mast will subject it to a lot of motion and forces. I would not mount it at the spreaders, either. Unless you have a very small jib, (90% or less) it will catch on the turbine when you tack. Also there is the weight issue that novelman brings up. Sailors are always trying to lower a boat's center of gravity, and that means as little weight aloft as possible. A 13 lb turbine mounted 25' off the deck is going to heel your boat more than a 150 lb person sitting on the windward side of the cockpit can counteract. Lastly there is the danger aspect as well. If the blades or any other part of the turbine fails, and you've got it mounted in your rig, those parts are going to come raining down on deck, and they're going to be moving rather quickly. That's a lot of reasons that my measly logic can come up with to not mount a turbine on the mast. In fact, I'm willing to bet that there is not a single wind turbine manufacturer that will recommend mounting any of their products on the mast. Wind turbines on sailboats are generally mounted on their own pole at one of the aft corners of the boat, where it is clear of the rig and sails. Also being closer to the boat's axes of motion, it is subjected to far less force as the boat pitches and rolls through waves.
I've never seen a wind generator at the top of the mast, or anywhere on the mast for that matter. Besides making the mast much harder to step, and the generator impossible to access if you need to maintain it while underway, mounting a turbine anywhere on the mast will subject it to a lot of motion and forces. I would not mount it at the spreaders, either. Unless you have a very small jib, (90% or less) it will catch on the turbine when you tack. Also there is the weight issue that novelman brings up. Sailors are always trying to lower a boat's center of gravity, and that means as little weight aloft as possible. A 13 lb turbine mounted 25' off the deck is going to heel your boat more than a 150 lb person sitting on the windward side of the cockpit can counteract. Lastly there is the danger aspect as well. If the blades or any other part of the turbine fails, and you've got it mounted in your rig, those parts are going to come raining down on deck, and they're going to be moving rather quickly. That's a lot of reasons that my measly logic can come up with to not mount a turbine on the mast. In fact, I'm willing to bet that there is not a single wind turbine manufacturer that will recommend mounting any of their products on the mast. Wind turbines on sailboats are generally mounted on their own pole at one of the aft corners of the boat, where it is clear of the rig and sails. Also being closer to the boat's axes of motion, it is subjected to far less force as the boat pitches and rolls through waves.
good points
everyone. And mounting it any lower would be a safety concern on a "small" boat. Spinning blades and crew do not mix
Your best bet is solar. Some can even be walked on. My slip neighbor has a panel mounted on the stern rail of his Gloucester.
everyone. And mounting it any lower would be a safety concern on a "small" boat. Spinning blades and crew do not mix
Your best bet is solar. Some can even be walked on. My slip neighbor has a panel mounted on the stern rail of his Gloucester.Where in Toronto
Hi Sailaway, Welcome to Toronto. I'm at a co-op yacht club on the western shore of Toronto about 10+kts from Downtown. There are many marinas and clubs around this area. Most clubs has recipical that you can visit and stay free for a couple of days at other clubs. We call that club crawl. I used to trailer to a launch ramp until a few years ago when setting up and taking down limited my desire to sail. Now I sail whenever I got time. The other nice thing about lake Ontario is the many many harbors around the area. In case of trouble, weather or otherwise, you are not too far from shelter.
Hi Sailaway, Welcome to Toronto. I'm at a co-op yacht club on the western shore of Toronto about 10+kts from Downtown. There are many marinas and clubs around this area. Most clubs has recipical that you can visit and stay free for a couple of days at other clubs. We call that club crawl. I used to trailer to a launch ramp until a few years ago when setting up and taking down limited my desire to sail. Now I sail whenever I got time. The other nice thing about lake Ontario is the many many harbors around the area. In case of trouble, weather or otherwise, you are not too far from shelter.
- Status