Fuel Cells vs Solar and Wind

[Seas the Day]

I recently came across a blog which highlighted the great satisfaction a single handed sailor had with his EFOY Comfort fuel cell system. This methanol based battery charging system requires not sunlight or wind and operates 24/7 if required. I believe they have penetrated the European market, not sure about the US. Sounds great so I'm interested to see if anyone has experience with these. Please let me know your thoughts.

[a64pilot]

Only one member that I know of and it killed his batteries, not sure exactly why but I’d suspect chronic undercharging, that is what they usually die from.
Plus I believe the refills are rather expensive?
May well be the wave of the future though. I for instance think that electric automobiles will eventually mature to hydrogen fuel cells and not batteries.

[Seas the Day]

I spoke to someone who used a unit in the Melbourne to Osaka yacht race and was very positive. The fuel runs out about AUD1.00 per hour, not bad at all. I would only use it a lot during solo coastal cruises to mainly drive the autopilot. Can you recall the manufacturers name in the situation you mentioned? This one is German so it has to be good, right (LOL)?

[phantomracer]

USA here, efoy on board for a few years. Working great. I dont have the real estate for solar.. and solar doesnt work well at night. Very pleased with the EFOY.

For full time cruisers, it is probably a good augment for solar/wind rather than a replacement.

[rgleason]

EFOY is used with Mini Transat 21' to help the single handers by powering electronics and autopilots.

[hellosailor]

methanol fuel cells are used (even industrially) in the US as well. Very good if you want a long term "standby" power source. Less useful if you have to find places to buy highly purified methanol. Which is generally unavailable at US marinas, and not especially cheap.