Liveaboard in the tropics: solar vs generator?

[oldvarnish]

I've read a lot of similar threads.

Why is it always one 'versus' the other? What's wrong with a bit of both?

Neither are hugely expensive compared to the value of the boat, and the convenience of having as much juice as you want.

 

[Koeketiene]

Why is it always one 'versus' the other? What's wrong with a bit of both?

Bit of background as to why I asked the question I did.

It had always been my intention/instinct to go all solar if at all feasible.
The Chinese are flooding the market with cheap/affordable solar panels, so it seemed like the obvious route to me.
Our electricity needs are relatively modest (fridge & nav instruments) and I wanted to learn about the set-up of others to find out if the all-solar route was possible or whether most people supplemented their solar panels with a generator.
I'd rather not get another bit of kit on board that would turn out to be noisy/smelly/thirsty and require servicing/spare parts.

 

[TQA]

I've read a lot of similar threads.

Why is it always one 'versus' the other? What's wrong with a bit of both?

Neither are hugely expensive compared to the value of the boat, and the convenience of having as much juice as you want.

It has always seemed to me that it is hard to have both as the wind generators shade the solar which just kills their output.

You can hang the wind generator in the rigging at anchor.

I saw one good set up on a 53 ft Amel ketch with the usual rear arch with 400+ watts of solar and 2 wind gennys mounted on the mizzen.

 

[Ariadne]

My DuoGen doesn't shade my panels very often.

Most yachts get more shade from the boom and sail than anything else. So you can have both and having both, and having both is good, far better than just 1 or the other options.

Either way, I'd guess if you are going long term liveaboard type cruising, you'll end getting a small suitcase genset at sometime...

 

[geem]

My DuoGen doesn't shade my panels very often.

Most yachts get more shade from the boom and sail than anything else. So you can have both and having both, and having both is good, far better than just 1 or the other options.

Either way, I'd guess if you are going long term liveaboard type cruising, you'll end getting a small suitcase genset at sometime...

I did an Atlantic circuit with an electric autopilot, fridge freezer, a small watermaker, which we used every day to make about 5 gallons of water for two people for showers. We had Duogen and 200w of solar. Engine alternator packed in in Biscay and didn't fix it until Trinidad. We didn't need to. Solar and towed genny did the lot. You shouldn't need a suitcase generator

 

[Koeketiene]

I did an Atlantic circuit with an electric autopilot, fridge freezer, a small watermaker, which we used every day to make about 5 gallons of water for two people for showers. We had Duogen and 200w of solar. Engine alternator packed in in Biscay and didn't fix it until Trinidad. We didn't need to. Solar and towed genny did the lot. You shouldn't need a suitcase generator

I briefly considered a towed generator (Aquagen) but discarded the idea.
We're fitting a Monitor windvane this winter and I didn't fancy trailing anything over the stern that might interfere with it.
Going to add 4x100W solars to the Rutland 913 we already have installed.
Should be enough to keep the nav instruments and the fridge going.

 

[TQA]

For long distance downwind sailing it is hard to beat some kind of water generator. I had an Aquair which churned out 5+ amps at 5 + knots. I believe the new generation does better.

But a typical liveaboard spends a lot more time at anchor than sailing so wind or solar is the way to go for a peaceful life. Avoid anything with an engine. Boats who run generators should carry some sort of mark like braiding red wool into the tail on horses that kick.

 

[Cheoy Lee 41]

A custom stern gantry also doubling as davits with 110w of solar and latest Air X, the earlier one threw a bearing during the winter, batteries two Trojan 6v x 245 ah all monitored by Stirling battery management. Currently in Falmouth UK but when further south left the boat for a month with fridge on and upon return fridge cold and batteries fully charged. Also have a 2KW Honda petrol generator which hasn't been used for two years apart from sanding down etc.

 

[Koeketiene]

View attachment 35634

Interesting looking boat.

Had her long? Only ask because I think we looked at her 7/8 years ago when we were looking for our 'blue water' boat.
Think we viewed her in Gibraltar. She didn't have the gantry/davits at the time though.
Just wondering.

 

[geem]

I briefly considered a towed generator (Aquagen) but discarded the idea.
We're fitting a Monitor windvane this winter and I didn't fancy trailing anything over the stern that might interfere with it.
Going to add 4x100W solars to the Rutland 913 we already have installed.
Should be enough to keep the nav instruments and the fridge going.

We have a Wind Pilot self steering and a Duogen on the current boat. You can have both. We also have 320w of solar and a 4.8 kva genset. Just checked the hour meter. We have used the genset 6 hours this season. Mainly to run the immersion heater for hot water for a shower.

 

[Cheoy Lee 41]

Doubt it I have owned her since 2000 but not visited Gib yet. Very satisfied with the charging arrangement at present it seems to suit our needs. She is a Choey Lee 41 Offshore Custom ! the custom means that the original owner was able to modify the interior layout. Built in Hong Kong 1979 and we are delighted with her. Like every liveaboard yacht there are compromises to be made, in our case as the engine is located below the cabin sole, tankage space is restricted, 120 gallons of water and 48 gallons of fuel.