Annoying wind generator in marina…………………

[Frankie-H]

I have an Air Marine, the predecessor of the Air-X. It makes an appalling noise but it can be reduced to a silent 10 rpm by a shorting switch supplied with the kit. I would consider myself guilty if I accidentally left it 'on' while away from the boat for any length of time.

I consider use of any machine noisy enough to be a nuisance to other berthholders to be unacceptable for any more than short periods, whether it be a wind genny, diesel genny, cockpit speakers or barking dog.

Had an Air Marine for many years. Their paperwork also states that it should be turned off in 'very strong winds' to protect the bearings.

 

[Frankie-H]

I have no problem with gennys its the inconsiderate b***ers who remove their mainsail from the inmast reefing leaving the foil to "slam" and"bang" in the mast all winter.

There is a simple answer to this problem, which can also damage the foil and loosen the connecting screws between the sections.

1. Find a sail slug,which will fit into the bolt rope track. You may have to shape it a bit but this is not difficult.

2. A suitable length of rope about the same diameter as the rolled sail to take up the gap between the foil and the outer cover.

3. Attach your main halliard to the top of the slug and the length of rope to the bottom. Tie them on with some fine string.

4. Put the slug into the sail track and haul to the top of the mast.

5. Use your furling line to rotate the rope round the foil, allowing it to drop to the bottom of the mast as it revolves.

6. Tie the ends off and you have a safe and quiet foil for the winter.

Make sure your string has enough turns and is strong enough. It does ruin your day if the string breaks when you come to pull the halliard down in the spring.

 

[Frankie-H]

'Clambering onto your boat' would certainly be justified if you are inconsiderate enough to clear off leaving a nuisance; marinas often do this then charge for the 'work'.

I'd suggest you are the bully saying how dangerous it would be to mention the lack of seamanship & consideration to you.

Yachtmaster-sail- 1992 -Chief Instructor - dinghies - 1977-84 sailed since 1970, skipper since 1978. Considerate to others. Various pro' time on boats of all kinds...

+1

I had my first dinghy in 1955 and have sailed ever since. I have never hesitated to climb aboard to quieten an anti social halliard or frapping rigging. Nor have I ever hesitated to change chafe points on a mooring line or retie fenders. I have always told my neighbours what I have done and, over the years have received many libations in return. I have never met an agressive boat owner, who was not grateful for my intervention. Not only have I sailed for over half a century, I have lived aboard full time for 16 years.

 

[Robin]

+1.

Just a note about keeping the blades turning. Errmm bit of a stoopid comment imho. The wind doesn't blow all the time. Even in the UK there are totally windless days. Does that mean the warranty is invalid??? Pfaff.

The risk I was told was that the bearings developed a flat spot if held in one spot too long. On our Aerogen6 large on the last boat and the Aerogen4 standard on the one before that we always tied the blades off with enough slack so they could rotate up to a quarter turn, risk quietly removed without recourse to rocket science.