Wind generators, yay or nay?

[Jim Legere]

Its pretty easy to fit a 30' boat with 2 or 3 hundred watts of flexible solar panels. On top of the dodger, the cabin top - find a spot that isn't shadowed at least part of the day. I had 2 x 100 W flexible panels on the dodger of my last boat. It kept the fridge, the LED lights and the sailing instruments going. Often one panel was partially shaded but I usually ran engine every two or three day when cruising because I ran out of wind, needed to motor somewhere, etc. Batteries were always charged up. Also true if the boat was just left on the mooring.

 

[Alan Gomes]

Hondas and others on deck are not so quiet.

Not even a little bit.

 

[Tin Kicker]

Its pretty easy to fit a 30' boat with 2 or 3 hundred watts of flexible solar panels. On top of the dodger, the cabin top - find a spot that isn't shadowed at least part of the day. I had 2 x 100 W flexible panels on the dodger of my last boat. It kept the fridge, the LED lights and the sailing instruments going. Often one panel was partially shaded but I usually ran engine every two or three day when cruising because I ran out of wind, needed to motor somewhere, etc. Batteries were always charged up. Also true if the boat was just left on the mooring.

Totally agree, especially since they don't need to be out when underway. I've seen panels bungeed to the top of the stowed sail on the boom and another guy simply hangs his from his lifelines. The one with the panels on the boom stows them before departing and the guy with them on the lifelines never seems to touch them. Sure not max sun angle for efficiency but they both work.

 

[Parsons]

Before you make the decision, @fred1diver , go to a marina or storage yard with some wind generators purring away. It's not an unpleasant sound (like a generator), but you certainly can hear them, and not the birds gently singing.

When you say, "I mainly want to keep the batteries full when away from dock, I am running an ice box refrigeration, lights and radio, not sure what my needs are in terms of watts. " You are talking about cruising, not being out on a mooring ball left alone for a week and topping up. The only thing on that list that sucks power is your refrigeration, so that simplifies your research. For a boat-buck, you could get a controller (absolutely necessary) and some portable solar panels to lay out on the cabin top. That should get you through a vacation, with the occasional engine charging if you run low one night or have some clouds and high usage. Look up some old Maine Sail articles on a inexpensive solar setup, and remember to isolate your starting battery so you do not strand yourself.

 

[FastOlson]

The only thing on that list that sucks power is your refrigeration, so that simplifies your research.

So true. That said --- Do keep in mind tho that refrigeration does not Have to draw a lot of amps. There are two facets to the problem. 1) efficiency of the ice box itself. i.e. Is it really well insulated with a good gasket around the hatch ? 2) Is the refrigeration unit itself a modern one that is really actually efficient.
So, first keep the cold air inside. Next remove the heat from inside with as few amps as possible.
Solar and wind are really great to charge up the battery bank, but first.... stop or reduce the waste of power.

 

[ifmdalvey]

I have both solar and wind and if i was buying just one it would most definately be solar.
My two semi flexible 160w panels fit ontop my dodger and bimini with a MPPT controller.
My wind generator is a 450 Silent Wind which is one of the best for low wind speeds and that feed through a PWM controller,
If you can genuinely do wind for $400 that is very good and suprising, my feeling is that watt per $, solar wins hands down.

 

[fred1diver]

On you all convinced me, I am starting to look at solar

 

[Parsons]

On you all convinced me, I am starting to look at solar

Great, now I can start a new discussion to tell you why you are wrong to do it that way

 

[rgranger]

Great, now I can start a new discussion to tell you why you are wrong to do it that way

 

[Project_Mayhem]

If you want to go solar but dont have the space here is my solution. I cut a bimini bow in half and fabricated these mounts that attach to the stern rail. I have a 100w panel. It'll charge a dead battery in less than 24 hours during the summer. A bit of dyneema was needed for additional support

 

[Maine Sail]

Solar hands down.

 

[Michael Davis]

Have a look at the boats doing the Ocean Race. Nothing but solar. The leg there are currently on will be about forty days. Tones of computers , radios etc all run on solar. It’s been the best thing I’ve done for my boat.

 

[MikeHoncho]

Hello everyone, another couple of questions for the hive mind.
was looking at getting solar panels for my boat, but I simply don’t have the room for them.
So I got to thinking about wind generators, I can get a 400w for under 400$cdn.
I don’t know if that would be sufficient for my boat, I mainly want to keep the batteries full when away from dock, I am running an ice box refrigeration, lights and radio, not sure what my needs are in terms of watts.
so my main question is those who have wind generators, do they work well?

Everything I’ve read

Hello everyone, another couple of questions for the hive mind.
was looking at getting solar panels for my boat, but I simply don’t have the room for them.
So I got to thinking about wind generators, I can get a 400w for under 400$cdn.
I don’t know if that would be sufficient for my boat, I mainly want to keep the batteries full when away from dock, I am running an ice box refrigeration, lights and radio, not sure what my needs are in terms of watts.
so my main question is those who have wind generators, do they work well?

everything I’ve read point to they have minimal effect unless in very high, sustained winds. With the limited performance, who wants to hear one spinning all day and all night? Especially those moored around you. I see a application for passages for sure but coastal cruising, not so much.