Aquair 100 on small yacht

[thomd]

Has anyone used an Aquair 100 on a boat under 30 feet?

I have a long keel 28 footer and sail as an average around the 4 to 5 knot mark. I note the Aquair starts producing power at 3 knots and generates about 2 amps at 4 knots.

Interested to hear if others have experience of using Aquair on similar sized boat to mine and if the associated drag was a problem?

I have solar panel mounted on stern gantry but have ruled out a windgen due to lowish apparent winds in the trades and shading effect on the solar panel. Extra charging needed to power the fridge.

Thanks.

 

[Neil_Y]

OK I know I haven't tried it on a small boat, but in the trades you are generally powered up so sailing at 5 knots I would guess?

I used one on my 40' Bav, we didn't push the boat for speed prefering to have a relaxed sail, the generator was chucking out enough power to run fridge, lights, laptop, radio and we never needed the engine. Make sure you get the low speed impeler we had both for when we surfing at 8+knts. That fact that it is producing power 24/7 is it's strength and it is also a great quiet wind turbine when at anchor.

Drag, I don't think you'd notice it, as you don't bother trailing it when you're doing less than 4 knts. The drag of the boat/hull will still be the biggest percentage. Ocean passages are never about getting there quickly in my view.