We are currently preparing our Dufour Grand Large 380 (2014) for blue water sailing, starting with several months in the Med and a Transatlantic crossing. For her energy management (approx. 400 Ah batteries), we are considering a wind generator, in addition to a second alternator; so far, solar panels are also an option. We are excluding a diesel generator due to several reasons.
I would like to learn from others what your EXPERIENCES and SUGGESTIONS are with regards to WIND GENERATORS?

• power generation in relation to wind speed in "real cruising conditions"
• noise below deck - if installed on aft deck
• installation - physical considerations (e.g. space), materials, cost, tips & tricks etc. 
• maintenance
• comparison of brands (e.g. Superwind 350, Air-X from Primus Wind Power, D400 wind generator)
• benefits vs. risks
• ...

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Thanks, Vanessa

Dear Vanessa.
We started in 2008, with a towed generator, sun panels on our Bimini, two alternators and a generator. 
The generator was mainly to power our 240V water maker. 
When we arrived in the Caribbean 2010 we added a D400 and moved the sun panels onto an arch on the stern.
Now (2021) we have new sun panels on a hard Bimini using MPPT controllers. Sold the D400 and towed generator.
Changed the water maker to a 12V and still have a generator.

Our thoughts are, the sun panels are better than a wind generator, although the D400 was great and worked well, when we had good wind to work it.
The towed generator was an old design (rope towing a prop) it worked well but we only used it on long trips.
The new Watt&Sea are worth a look and if we did not have a generator would invest in one. 

Totally agree with Dick, the ACC sight, is well worth the time and cost.

If you would like a chat during this lock down please send me an email. We are in the UK and Nimue is on Vancouver Island BC,
so we have time to spare.

Regards.
Anne & Michael Hartshorn.

+x

 

Michael & Anne Hartshorn - 1 Jan 2021

Dear Vanessa.
We started in 2008, with a towed generator, sun panels on our Bimini, two alternators and a generator. 
The generator was mainly to power our 240V water maker. 
When we arrived in the Caribbean 2010 we added a D400 and moved the sun panels onto an arch on the stern.
Now (2021) we have new sun panels on a hard Bimini using MPPT controllers. Sold the D400 and towed generator.
Changed the water maker to a 12V and still have a generator.

Our thoughts are, the sun panels are better than a wind generator, although the D400 was great and worked well, when we had good wind to work it.
The towed generator was an old design (rope towing a prop) it worked well but we only used it on long trips.
The new Watt&Sea are worth a look and if we did not have a generator would invest in one. 

Totally agree with Dick, the ACC sight, is well worth the time and cost.

If you would like a chat during this lock down please send me an email. We are in the UK and Nimue is on Vancouver Island BC,
so we have time to spare.

Regards.
Anne & Michael Hartshorn.

Hi again Vanessa,
A couple of further thoughts, likely already on your mind.
In the Med a wind generator might not have much use: most of the time to little or no wind and almost never at night. When it blows, it blows hard and many feather their generators (or they feather themselves).
This is far less the case in the Carib where the trades are usually present and of sufficient speed to produce good power.
I believe that generally, and especially (but not exclusively) in those latitudes, cruisers are getting a lot more out of their solar arrays: if you can find the real estate. One area to explore (I hear) are portable solar panels, some light weight and rigid (the best producers) and some flexible (less power generated). This might be an option when anchored and stored underway.
For reasons written about elsewhere in the Forum, I would resist the temptation to put solar panels on your stanchions in any way.
With regards to noise: it is important to consider that you not be bothered on your boat. You might also consider others. I know when I go into an anchorage, and look at potential neighbors, I notice wind generators and choose to anchor far away: too many are quite disturbing (not so much the noise per se, but more the changing levels and tones as a boat swings to the wind and the wind speed varies). This is particularly the case if you are not benefitting from the amps produced. This may have improved in recent years.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

+x

 

Dick - 1 Jan 2021

+x

 

Michael & Anne Hartshorn - 1 Jan 2021

Dear Vanessa.
We started in 2008, with a towed generator, sun panels on our Bimini, two alternators and a generator. 
The generator was mainly to power our 240V water maker. 
When we arrived in the Caribbean 2010 we added a D400 and moved the sun panels onto an arch on the stern.
Now (2021) we have new sun panels on a hard Bimini using MPPT controllers. Sold the D400 and towed generator.
Changed the water maker to a 12V and still have a generator.

Our thoughts are, the sun panels are better than a wind generator, although the D400 was great and worked well, when we had good wind to work it.
The towed generator was an old design (rope towing a prop) it worked well but we only used it on long trips.
The new Watt&Sea are worth a look and if we did not have a generator would invest in one. 

Totally agree with Dick, the ACC sight, is well worth the time and cost.

If you would like a chat during this lock down please send me an email. We are in the UK and Nimue is on Vancouver Island BC,
so we have time to spare.

Regards.
Anne & Michael Hartshorn.

Hi again Vanessa,
A couple of further thoughts, likely already on your mind.
In the Med a wind generator might not have much use: most of the time to little or no wind and almost never at night. When it blows, it blows hard and many feather their generators (or they feather themselves).
This is far less the case in the Carib where the trades are usually present and of sufficient speed to produce good power.
I believe that generally, and especially (but not exclusively) in those latitudes, cruisers are getting a lot more out of their solar arrays: if you can find the real estate. One area to explore (I hear) are portable solar panels, some light weight and rigid (the best producers) and some flexible (less power generated). This might be an option when anchored and stored underway.
For reasons written about elsewhere in the Forum, I would resist the temptation to put solar panels on your stanchions in any way.
With regards to noise: it is important to consider that you not be bothered on your boat. You might also consider others. I know when I go into an anchorage, and look at potential neighbors, I notice wind generators and choose to anchor far away: too many are quite disturbing (not so much the noise per se, but more the changing levels and tones as a boat swings to the wind and the wind speed varies). This is particularly the case if you are not benefitting from the amps produced. This may have improved in recent years.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

Hi Anne & Michael,
Where are you in Newfoundland? We have cruised there the last couple of seasons till covid kept us from returning to Alchemy in Lewisporte this season.
My best, Dick