Blog – Page 50

wind generator woes

July 24, 2013 by Carly Filed Under: Refit, wind generator

I am about ready to gouge out my eyes from looking at a computer screen for too long. I’ve been given the task to find a good wind generator. We have pretty much no room on the boat for solar panels – we may try and squeeze in two on our bimini but they won’t be that efficient 100% of the time because of our mizzen boom. So we need a bloody good wind generator. Oh and a quiet one, we wouldn’t want neighboring boats throwing eggs at us!

I have narrowed down the winners to: Ampair 300, Superwind 350 and the D400.

Ampair 300

We currently have an Ampair 100 installed on our mizzen and it is so quiet that we forget it’s there but unfortunately it’s had it’s day and doesn’t produce anymore amps. I checked out the specs on it and apparently never really produced a lot of amps in its hay day. Step up from the 100 is the Ampair 300. Only 3 blades so it will be louder that the 100, I haven’t been able to find any youtube videos on it but it has to be louder due to having only 3 blades. It is expensive ($2909) but there are a lot of retailers out there for parts. Ampair has been around for a long time and has a great reputation. Puts out great amps in low wind even tho it has only 3 blades, cut in speed is 6 knots. At 20 knots you’re looking at roughly 200W.

Superwind 350

I found a few youtube videos on the Superwind and it sounds whisper quiet and got a good review from the “Practical Sailor” . The Superwind has also got a pricey tag attached at $2399 and I’m not too sure how easy it will be to get parts. It has 3 blades so it probably won’t be that great in low winds but high amps in high winds. Cut in speed is 7 knots. At 20 knots you’re looking at 350W. From what I’ve found this wind generator plateaus out at 350W I guess for safety (don’t know a lot about this stuff).

D400

Carl originally wanted to go with the D400 and of course I had a heart attack at the price tag so of course I thought he was going for the mega high tech over the top super model of all generators. Thought I could find a better deal – HA! Well it turns out the D400 gets top reviews on Cruisers Forum. They are the beast amongst the 3, weighing in at 15kg (33lbs). Price tag $2495. The D400 has 5 blades and from what I can tell off youtube it’s super quiet. Cut in speed is 5 knots (because of the 5 blades). At 20 knots you get 200W.

Conclusion

The Superwind is a mega amp creator but doesn’t start working until 7 knots. I haven’t read of a lot of people owning them but seems to be quiet. Ampair 300 doesn’t pump out mega amps compared to the Superwind but starts working sooner. It has a huge price tag so I think that one is crossed off the list. The D400 is a whale and would make our poor mizzen mast cry but it has the lowest cut in speed, got rave reviews and is pretty good with the amps.

Because of the D400’s 5 blades and low cut in speed we probably will be going with it. Lots of people mount it on their mizzens so I’m sure our old gal will handle the extra bulk. My tail is between my legs and after hours and hours of research I will be going with the wind generator that Carl originally suggested. Bastard!

I’m sure you’ll find more sophisticated reviews out there on wind generators, I recommend going to Cruisers Forum and asking around. The Rutland 914i got great reviews and super quiet but we will be requiring more amps then it can provide. It’s got a great price tag and if we had a good solar bank I’m sure we would be going with them.

I will of course do a follow up when we install the wind generator.

Carly

Hanging at North Sails in NOLA

July 17, 2013 by Carly Filed Under: Refit, rigging, sails

All our sails are ready and so is the new tides track system. Replaced our half battens on the main to full, hmmm how am I going to fit it all in my car??!

Dropped off all our standing rigging. Don’t they usually do vessels of our size but we’ll give them a go. We’ve also started to sand down the masts to prep them for painting. They have a fair bit of corrosion but hey nothing that the do all husband can’t tackle.

video update

July 15, 2013 by Carly Filed Under: deck hardware, Galley/Cooking, Refit

Here’s a quick video of our interior and some exterior. The interior is in the middle of getting painted.

Carl is finally out of the engine room

July 9, 2013 by Carly Filed Under: Refit, watermaker

After days and DAYS of work Carl got the little generator for the watermaker up and running. Had a lot of inverter problems but I had faith and he got ‘r done! It’s a little louder that what we wanted but she sucks way less fuel that the boat engine.

Heads have been installed but not functioning yet, bathrooms have also have their final coat of paint on them. Chose an off white so it wouldn’t be as cold with snow white. Super glossy so easy to clean. Everything is going to look shit hot. He were bummed about having to remove and paint majority of the beautiful wood work but we didn’t want to live in all that rot. I don’t think it’s going to look all that bad, the trim work really pops with the white.

Painters are still working on the dodger and deck. The masts will hopefully come off today if Carl can get all the wiring disconnected in time.

We are spraying in a insulated barrier in the girls’ room for heat, it’s looking really good and you can’t even tell that there’s a think layer of foam.

Forgot to bring my camera to the boat today, excuse the phone pictures.

rain, paint, mess and broken stuff

July 7, 2013 by Carly Filed Under: Uncategorized

The painters have started work on the boat and everything is a total mess! We’re painting the interior, they’re painting the exterior along with fighting our two motors – when is two better than one? Right now it’s not! It hasn’t stopped raining for almost a week which is perfect timing to have little holes all over the boat. We took out the stanchions, mast boots etc for the painters so now the boat is like a moist cave with water trickling down the sides. Wonderful. And the bilge pump has decided to crap itself.

Carly

getting excited

June 26, 2013 by Carly Filed Under: Kids, Sewing

I have been working hard on the girls’ mattress covers. They turned out better than expected – I’m a crappy sewer. They have even passed the test of being jumped on for hours. Next is the sheets. Got some good deals at Tuesday Morning for sheets. I checked in our closet and it looks like I haven’t bought new sheets in about 5 years.

We are super excited our neighbors next to our non existed business has agreed to lift us out with their crane. This is fabulous news, now we don’t have to motor to Louisiana or Biloxi. We are going to take off both masts for maintenance and haul her out. Hope her bottom isn’t scary looking.

North Sails in Metairie LA is giving our sails some much needed love. We have decided to replace the track on the main and mizzen with Tides Marine track and slide system. We also raised the mizzen about 6 inches for better clearance of the bimini. North Sails is shortening the mizzen and putting full battens in the main. They are also replacing the sun covers on both roller furlings. I failed royally at this, I guess my sailrite sewing machine wasn’t’ up for the task.

All is moving forward. We have 2 months to get out of our house and move onto the boat. Home inspection tomorrow, eek. Lots and lots to do, I may end up putting the girls back in full time daycare (sad face) to help Carl with the boat and moving out of the house.

Big C is going to swim lessons twice a week and I’m going to start lil C as soon as she gets that horrible cast off.

The girls are getting so big. They are going to LOVE our upcoming adventure!

Carly