Wind generator mounting

[ksutton]

Intend to install a wind generator before season starts again, probably a Rutland 913. It will have to go in the usual place, at one corner of the transom area. I can see fitting kits which you can purchase consisting of the long vertical mounting assembly tube with a fixing bracket on its base and clamps to attach a couple of angular stays to the pushpit tubing. I have not found anything to attach this vertical generator mounting tube to a horizontal or vertical pushpit tube, or even a corner bracket. I have seen some boats use stainless jubilee hose clips, but it looks a bit crude. Anybody know if there any dedicated stainless (or even nylon) clamps on the market to do this.

 

[doug748]

I had a pair of 1/8" * 4" plates neatly welded between the top and bottom tubes of the pushpit on both sides. On one side I have the wind gen, held by a pair of U bolts; the other side has a wooden pad with the Navtex aerial attached. Aerials seem to pop up like mushrooms, so next year I shall probably attach a short mast and put the lot on a small plinth on top. I had to remove the pushpit and cart the lot down the welding shop, in your line of business you might know someone who could visit the boat.

 

[Cloven]

Mine has a square SS plate with two U-bolts on the wind genny upright - one each side of the horizontal pushpit rail and two more U bolts on the horizontal pushpit rail either side of the wind genny upright. Simple and works very well. I also have a base plate attached to the transom and two rigging wire stabilising stays using old dinghy bottleneck srews.

 

[alan17]

Mine is mounted on a home constructed tripod with one of the legs vertical. The aerogen sits on this vertical pole. The other 2 simpy stabilise the whole assembly. Whatever you decide to do make sure the blades are well above head height even standing on the coaming. At first I did not and gashed my head!

 

[ksutton]

Thanks for all your help and suggestions

 

[Noddy]

I'm just about to mount one in the next few weeks.

Anyone got any pictures please??

Particularly interested in ideas for rubber mounting. I was going to incorperate some engine mounts.

Paul

 

[00Si00]

Yes, I would also like to see pictures of this if anyone has any. Im also about to mount a rutland 913 on the stern of a sadler 32. I have found some interesting kit - not in stainless or ally, but in galvanised steel. Look here...
http://www.alvinkeyclamps.co.uk/Buy_Alvi...ings_Size_8.htm
I think with a little imagination I could construct something very sturdy with all this.

 

[halcyon]

You do not need rails to fit it to, ours bolts down onto the deck.

Carries wind gen, radar, stern light, back-up whip ariel, plus odds and ends.

Hand made by previous owner from ally tube, does work, it's done two tras-Atlantics.

Brian

 

[Jonny_H]

Here's ours - it is on a gantry, so a little different to a usual installation - we got a local s/steel fabricator to make the whole bracket you can see for £100.

We have placed a piece of 8mm neoprene (wet suit material) between the bracket and the gantry, so that there is no metal from the bracket touching the metal of the bracket. When you tighten the bolts up this compresses to around 2mm, but is very effective. Last week in Fleetwood with the mega winds all you could hear in the aft cabin (directly below the gantry) was a gentle hum.

Jonny

 

[RestlessL]

I have a Rutland 503 on a 1.5" pole which fixes to the pushput using a Sea Sure clamp plate.

John

 

[Cloven]

Pic of setup as per thread above

 

[dratsea]

Paul,

Engine mounts work well but remember they are NOT Stainless steel. I did try some windsurfer mast UJ's they are Stainless..... but do not work! I ended up towing the wind generator in the middle of a dark night and pouring rain!

John