Wind Generator on Mizzen Mast

[tomj]

Any thoughts (pro and con) about mounting a wind generator on the Mizzen Mast (Alberg 37 Yawl), and thoughts on the AIR-X generator. Have heard some good reports on the AIR-X generator, and saw quite a few AIR-Xs on our trip to the Bahamas last fall (2006).

Comments on 'Real Life' noise (including vibration/noise telegraphed to hull through mizzen) , power output, and mizzen mast mounts are appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom in Kinsale, VA

[irwinsailor]

I just bought a AirX a couple of months ago. It is quieter that the Wind Bugger that I had. I have read that installing on the mizzen can amplify the noise it the boat. Mine is on a pole on the stern.

[AnchorageGuy]

Our Four Winds has been hanging on the mizzen for 8 years. At very high winds, 40+, we get a vibration in the mast. Other than that I can't imagine having it hang anywhere else.

[tomj]

Originally Posted by Chuck Baier

Our Four Winds has been hanging on the mizzen for 8 years. At very high winds, 40+, we get a vibration in the mast. Other than that I can't imagine having it hang anywhere else.

Chuck,

Thanks for the info - do you happen to have a link to photo of your mizzen mounting?

Thanks, Tom

[marno]

Just watch out that you have enough clearance between your mainsail and you mizzen. I had my Fourwinds "professionally" installed by someone I met at one of the stands at the boat show">Annapolis Boat Show who had a good reputation, and this was the result three weeks later. Fourwinds were very helpful in repairing the blades, but the installers made me (Fourwinds had nothing to do with the install)

[AnchorageGuy]

Sorry Tom, don't have a photo but if I get chance I will take one and post it.

[Celestialsailor]

I just bought an AirX and found a suitable bracket on e-bay for my mizzen. When I install it in June 08, I will post the progress.

[Capt Hook]

We've had a Rutland 913 on the mizzen for nearly 3 years now and it's brilliant. In a blow it used to transmit a humming noise down to the aft cabin but that has reduced a lot now as I suppose it's run in the bearings. I had a stainless tapered box section mount made by a friend. I'll sort out some pics if you're interested.
Chris

[tomj]

Originally Posted by Capt Hook

We've had a Rutland 913 on the mizzen for nearly 3 years now and it's brilliant. In a blow it used to transmit a humming noise down to the aft cabin but that has reduced a lot now as I suppose it's run in the bearings. I had a stainless tapered box section mount made by a friend. I'll sort out some pics if you're interested.
Chris

A photo or two would be helpful - Thanks!

[Howard Just]

On Just Imagine we installed our Air X Marine just above the mizzen spreaders on a custom made bracket. This is the drawing that I gave to the welder and the end result was very good. You can see more details on http://www.worldcruisingguide.net/in...p?area_id=1861

[Unicorn Dreams]

I don't have any pics of mine on Santana, but I have a KISS mounted on the top of the mizzen. Just had a bracket made for the pipe mount and it's above everything else and there's nothing for it to make contact with. Did have problems with an occasional sea gull, but carefully installed animal whistles on the blades and that took care of the problem. No interference with the wind flow up that high and it's totally out of the way. GOOD LUCK

[Celestialsailor]

I had mounted the AIR-X on the mizzen and there was never any vibration. This might be due to the fact the mast was wood. What I did not like about it was the danger of a halyard inadvertently coming in contact with the whirling blades. As we all know.....accident happen. Like Captain Ron said..."If anything is going to happen, it's going to happen out there.

[Kanani]

I would have to balance the idea of that with my love for flying a mizzen stay-sail.

I just have a hard time coming to grips with the idea of having a wind generator aloft like that. So many things could go wrong and have you up the mast when you would least enjoy it.

I used a wind generator at anchor, hoisted on a halyard. Never could bring myself to sailing with one though.....I guess it's just the coward in me..

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Kanani

I would have to balance the idea of that with my love for flying a mizzen stay-sail.

I just have a hard time coming to grips with the idea of having a wind generator aloft like that. So many things could go wrong and have you up the mast when you would least enjoy it.

I used a wind generator at anchor, hoisted on a halyard. Never could bring myself to sailing with one though.....I guess it's just the coward in me..

To be honest I will not use a wind gen again. Solar just worked too well for me. Although I was in a slip at the time. I did have to go aloft and take the damn thing down agian after I blew it up do to an "owner error".

[Kanani]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

To be honest I will not use a wind gen again. Solar just worked too well for me. Although I was in a slip at the time. I did have to go aloft and take the damn thing down agian after I blew it up do to an "owner error".

I had 4, 48A solar panels. They worked OK but I like to use my radar 24/7 at sea. They just couldn't keep up. I had a little Kabota 2 cyl diesel in my engine room that had a 150A alternator and my fridge compressor on it. I had to run that an hour a day for the fridge anyway so that kept my batteries topped off as well.

However, had I felt comfortable with a wind generator aloft, I may have been able to avoid listening to that engine run an hour every day 365. On the other hand, there were many days that the wind generator wouldn't have been much use at sea.......remember...."Gentleman don't sail to windward".