Hydrogenerator - Watt & Sea

[Nasa]

We have just purchased a Fountaine Pajot Helia 44 and optioned it with a Watt & Sea Hydrogenerator. I've done heaps of research but thats reviews and product brochures. Has anyone had any personal experience and would care to comment.

[DeepFrz]

Several of the boats in the Vendee globe have had problems with them. One took out the rudder steering link between the two rudders.

[barnakiel]

Yes. Twas' Hugo.

He was sailing at 18 kts at the time of the accident.

b.

[dan360]

Here's mine fixed to my new Outremer, I read the news about the Vendee failure with interest. There are two models of course, the racing one on the VG boats is CF and somewhat lighter than the Cruising version. The cruising version is specified as good up to 20kts, the racing one supposedly for over 30. If you read the report he said that he heard a vibration, so maybe it was a resonance issue or it wasn't quite fully clipped down? In any case I intend on being careful at higher speeds.

[WattandSea]

The problems met during the Vendee globe are because of the installation on the boats. The hydrogenerator work well but the installation made by the team itself are wrong.

We remain at your disposal if you have any questions

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, WattandSea.

[NahanniV]

Originally Posted by WattandSea

The problems met during the Vendee globe are because of the installation on the boats. The hydrogenerator work well but the installation made by the team itself are wrong.

We remain at your disposal if you have any questions

It would be useful to know what was wrong with the installations, so that the mistakes will not be repeated.

Thanks,
JM

[WattandSea]

The sailor team had made light installations and they have under estimated the power of the hydro when boat is sailing at 20 knots and more. When the boat is too speed, hydrogenerators have to be in top level

[DeepFrz]

I understand that Jean Le Cam had asked the vendor to make some changes so that he could inject oil into the gears and bearings from time to time. Would you care to comment on that. Also not all problems were installation problems, although some certainly were.

[Cowabunga]

Originally Posted by Nasa

We have just purchased a Fountaine Pajot Helia 44 and optioned it with a Watt & Sea Hydrogenerator. I've done heaps of research but thats reviews and product brochures. Has anyone had any personal experience and would care to comment.

Have you possibly got any photos of the instalation on your FP 44? Is it stern mounted with the short version or back beam mounted? I'm considering installing one on my FP Belize. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

[Nasa]

Check the FP forum - Helia / Generator thread. Photos of the install there. Its recessed into the bridge deck.

[Andina Marie]

While they should be great for working and racing boats, the average cruiser only spends about 2% of the time or less actually sailing under sail. It is no good at anchor unless you are in a very active tidal creek. At least a wind or solar generator can give you some output 24/7 if there is wind or 9 hours if there is sun.

[gbanker]

nasa and dan360; so, how have the units worked out?

[Nasa]

GBanker.The unit itself appears to work fine, producing more than advertised in terms of amperage. The problem is with the install by FP. As it is mounted under the bridge deck an extension is added to the unit to increase length. This increase in leg length increases the pressure at the pivot point for the unit adding more pressure on the impact absorbers leading to the unit not deploying vertically. This has added pressure to the extension join area. I'm sure this is a work in progress for FP to find the right componentry but for us we were the guinea pigs a little. I am in the process of discussing this with our dealer. FP have been great so far and I'm sure these issues will be resolved also.