Funny we give names to the equipment too. Auto pilot "Ray-mondo" tender "Running Scared"( boat's name is Courage) and the little out board we named "Murphy" after our mechanic, he didn't work either...
If is not an hassle to do it I suggest you to buy the large propeller. It is rated for a boat speed from 2 to 9 knots and at low speed it pulls out quite more energy then the medium size one. If it is not an hassle to switch the propeller using the large one in low wind situations and the medium one for the rest of the time should make your generator more efficient in the conditions where it has more problem as hydro generators at high boat speed give an impressive output, but they are weak when the speed is low. When you expect boat speed exceeding 9 knots you can switch to the medium propeller that you already have. I am assuming that to change propeller at sea is not a problem, you should have easy access to it when the hydro generator is lifted, it is probably something that needs only few minutes (buy also some spare nuts as it is possible that you loose some of them) and the cost of a propeller is almost nothing compared to the full cost of the hydro generator. I hope that it can help you in getting an even more efficient Sparky. Ciao from Italy.
Thanks you for the advice Andrea! We will certainly take a look at this. It is always great to make more energy efficiently. We love that the sailing community are so helpful. We learn new things every day!
@@supersevenn at higher speeds it turns too fast and will break if you let it turn that fast which is too fast. You can buy the racing version which has variable speed regulation with little hydraulic motor... but... it is twice the cost...
That was our set up we had from the factory when we bought the boat and no, we cannot go without a generator on this setup because the hydro generator only works under way, not while stationary.
You're using wind energy to move the boat in the water and you're slightly breaking the boat with the hydro generator at the same time. With this double conversion of energy it's more efficient to mount a wind generator on top of the mast where it doesn't affect the sails.
We have tried various wind generators on our various boats. While they do work we prefer the water generator. No noise, no extra contraptions to be fitted on the back or on the mast. This unit can easily be removed and stowed and the mounting bracket is small, so it doesn't take up much space on the back of the boat. More importantly, we were running downwind, so the wind generator wouldn't have been that effective anyway.
Potentially better than this would be Ocean Volt, where electric engines can self-generate. Love to hear your thoughts, and more particularly whether Bali would have plans to replace diesel with electric, now that the technology appears to have matured?
Cal B. Yes, we like the idea. Bali is not doing anything like this currently but it doesn’t mean it can’t be done. We are doing a lot of development and upgrading with them on our boat and they are always open to new ideas.
@@spacegreycoralred I don't know what a Watt & Sea costs, but yes Ocean Volt are pricey but they not only replace Watt and Sea, but also engines. Also, like electric cars, they cost less to run than traditional engines. No oil to change, clutch issues, fuel to clean, etc. You get more time sailing and less time maintaining. I agree that up-front price is a big factor, but even that is changing, as battery prices drop.
@@spacegreycoralred I would say that, as are hydro generators but mainly also engines, the price is way more then 10X the cost of Watt and Sea, for a completely different function obviously, as they also replace the diesel engines. The Ocean Volt systems need a very large li ion battery and the motor and propeller are only a part of the cost as the electronics and the large section cables don't come for free. Then you possibly have also to upgrade the diesel generator as even a big battery don't give you the autonomy and you have to rely on it if you have to motor for a long time. It can be an option for a new boat or if you have to change anyway the old diesel engines as they are worn out, as you avoid to buy diesel engines, but something like the Watt and Sea is the way to go if you only want to have hydro generation.
I love the idea of Oceanvolt, but I also love the idea of not having gas (propane) onboard. Between diesel and propane, you can only realistically eliminate one of them right now on a sailboat capable of crossing oceans. Especially if you also want heating which is what diesel is excellent for. So realistically I'd go for large alternator (Integrel has 8kw alternator!), large lithium banks and solar + hydro, and use induction cooking and electric oven. I love that Outremer has a 4Zero already in production, but parallel hybrid solution like HH44 catamaran is I think more realistic if you want creature comforts and safety margins. You could probably get away with using the engines only a few dozen hours per year, but it's still there when you need it most.
The panini maker is a small grill and “panini” is sort of a catch-all name for the the grill but I also have a bread machine. All of these gadgets draw significant power.
So amps are Ah!? Thanks for that text, now you don't speak the right units.. Came here in frustration over reading your great webpage, where you also just write amps per day.. So now, I assume you have a 12V system! Then I can actually calculate in real energy units (watt-hours).. :-)
![Diggy Graves - Red Vineyard [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8Ro085T0mnQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Funny we give names to the equipment too. Auto pilot "Ray-mondo" tender "Running Scared"( boat's name is Courage) and the little out board we named "Murphy" after our mechanic, he didn't work either...
😂😂😂
Love "Running Scared"!! LOL
Excellent video. I'm researching air, water and sun power now for a 40' cat. Thanks for your help.
You're welcome! We really loved this piece of equipment to generate power on long trips.
I believe the amount of electricity generated is measured in Watts not Amps.
If is not an hassle to do it I suggest you to buy the large propeller. It is rated for a boat speed from 2 to 9 knots and at low speed it pulls out quite more energy then the medium size one.
If it is not an hassle to switch the propeller using the large one in low wind situations and the medium one for the rest of the time should make your generator more efficient in the conditions where it has more problem as hydro generators at high boat speed give an impressive output, but they are weak when the speed is low. When you expect boat speed exceeding 9 knots you can switch to the medium propeller that you already have.
I am assuming that to change propeller at sea is not a problem, you should have easy access to it when the hydro generator is lifted, it is probably something that needs only few minutes (buy also some spare nuts as it is possible that you loose some of them) and the cost of a propeller is almost nothing compared to the full cost of the hydro generator.
I hope that it can help you in getting an even more efficient Sparky. Ciao from Italy.
Thanks you for the advice Andrea! We will certainly take a look at this. It is always great to make more energy efficiently. We love that the sailing community are so helpful. We learn new things every day!
why can't you use the large prop even at higher boat speeds ??? what is the drawback ?
@@supersevenn at higher speeds it turns too fast and will break if you let it turn that fast which is too fast. You can buy the racing version which has variable speed regulation with little hydraulic motor... but... it is twice the cost...
Good vid ya'll.
With a bit more solar and a 600 instead of 300 Watt and Sea you could ditch the generator, no?
That was our set up we had from the factory when we bought the boat and no, we cannot go without a generator on this setup because the hydro generator only works under way, not while stationary.
You're using wind energy to move the boat in the water and you're slightly breaking the boat with the hydro generator at the same time.
With this double conversion of energy it's more efficient to mount a wind generator on top of the mast where it doesn't affect the sails.
We have tried various wind generators on our various boats. While they do work we prefer the water generator. No noise, no extra contraptions to be fitted on the back or on the mast. This unit can easily be removed and stowed and the mounting bracket is small, so it doesn't take up much space on the back of the boat. More importantly, we were running downwind, so the wind generator wouldn't have been that effective anyway.
Also I don't think they will break the boat even slightly :) It will probably not even be slowed down noticably.
where can you get them in usa? is there an email to contact the company?
Hi John
Here is the network link. You will find a dealer closest to you on www.wattandsea.com/en/network/
Potentially better than this would be Ocean Volt, where electric engines can self-generate. Love to hear your thoughts, and more particularly whether Bali would have plans to replace diesel with electric, now that the technology appears to have matured?
Cal B. Yes, we like the idea. Bali is not doing anything like this currently but it doesn’t mean it can’t be done. We are doing a lot of development and upgrading with them on our boat and they are always open to new ideas.
Aren’t the Ocean Volt systems 3X the price of the Watt & Sea
@@spacegreycoralred I don't know what a Watt & Sea costs, but yes Ocean Volt are pricey but they not only replace Watt and Sea, but also engines. Also, like electric cars, they cost less to run than traditional engines. No oil to change, clutch issues, fuel to clean, etc. You get more time sailing and less time maintaining. I agree that up-front price is a big factor, but even that is changing, as battery prices drop.
@@spacegreycoralred I would say that, as are hydro generators but mainly also engines, the price is way more then 10X the cost of Watt and Sea, for a completely different function obviously, as they also replace the diesel engines. The Ocean Volt systems need a very large li ion battery and the motor and propeller are only a part of the cost as the electronics and the large section cables don't come for free. Then you possibly have also to upgrade the diesel generator as even a big battery don't give you the autonomy and you have to rely on it if you have to motor for a long time. It can be an option for a new boat or if you have to change anyway the old diesel engines as they are worn out, as you avoid to buy diesel engines, but something like the Watt and Sea is the way to go if you only want to have hydro generation.
I love the idea of Oceanvolt, but I also love the idea of not having gas (propane) onboard. Between diesel and propane, you can only realistically eliminate one of them right now on a sailboat capable of crossing oceans. Especially if you also want heating which is what diesel is excellent for.
So realistically I'd go for large alternator (Integrel has 8kw alternator!), large lithium banks and solar + hydro, and use induction cooking and electric oven.
I love that Outremer has a 4Zero already in production, but parallel hybrid solution like HH44 catamaran is I think more realistic if you want creature comforts and safety margins. You could probably get away with using the engines only a few dozen hours per year, but it's still there when you need it most.
When you say "panini" do you mean a bread roll? (as in.the Italian nome for a bread roll)
The panini maker is a small grill and “panini” is sort of a catch-all name for the the grill but I also have a bread machine. All of these gadgets draw significant power.
@@Catamaranguru so it's a grill press!
@@deningman you got it. My English is clearly not great!
So amps are Ah!? Thanks for that text, now you don't speak the right units.. Came here in frustration over reading your great webpage, where you also just write amps per day.. So now, I assume you have a 12V system! Then I can actually calculate in real energy units (watt-hours).. :-)
?
@@Catamaranguru You are welcome..