Wind generator on a Ketch

ianhlnd · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

I know we've talked about wind generators before, but all applications seemed to be for sloops or cutters. I currently have 4 Kyocera solar panels mounted on swivels on the port and starboard quarters (2 on each side)

Some things you can't do well on a ketch, such as windvane, but does anyone know where a wind generator could be mounted?

I've thought of the mizzen, I already have two radar domes up there, but there is possibly room which would be aft of the swing of the mainsail. Has anyone ever seen such an arrangement, does anyone have a wind generator on a ketch?

Looking for suggestions.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Nice Davits Stan...

I think that davits are a possible solution, but it would help if you posted a photo of your boat...

mike dryver · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

yes you can put a wind genny on your mizzen, but with 2 ray-domes up there already you will quite an amount of weight up there. if your domes are at spreader height you would have to more than likely go higher with the gen. unless your distance forward of mizzen is far enough away from your mainsail and related gear. ie, topping lift etc.

TrueBlue · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Stan,
In the future, please try to make your photos larger. They're so tiny they just barely fit on my 50" monitor.

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Sorry stan... the second line is to the op... Ian... we have plenty of photos of your boat...

But none of the boat in question... LOL...

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Stan-

If you're on a PC...download IrfanView. You can get it here. It has a batch resize function that will make it really simple for you to do that.

Any questions, PM me.

EDIT:

Another good program for PC users is Picasa, which you download from here. It is also free.

If you need a program with a bit more capability than either of them... get I-View Multimedia or I-view Multimedia Pro. Read more about them here. Unfortunately, they were recently bought out by Micro$haft...and the product may not remain the stellar product it has been.

camaraderie · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

Ditto Stan...great program and FREE! You can also use it to reduce the colors to 256 which takes file size down and lets you post bigger pictures in the gallery.

christyleigh · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

.. Sorry to be hijacking this thread... but us old 'Mainframers' sometimes have trouble with all this PC wizbang stuff... so any way... one of these days I'll mount 2 or 3 panels on the davits, and if I ever add a wind gen I'll attach it to the frame somewhere.

aphil138 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

I have a 42' ketch with a wind generator at the very top of the mizzen and a radar dome about 1/2 way up. I believe I have attached a photo.
Just need to be sure it clears the freshwater stay as it rotates when the wind changes direction. Otherwise it will damage the tips of the blades that will cost you to replace plus shipping plus... the fact that you have get up THERE to fix it.
alan

TrueBlue · #10 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007

There is another Nauticat 33 ketch on Narragansett Bay, called Penelope, with a rather large wind generator mounted on the mizzen. It too (like mine) has the radar dome positioned on the forward side of the mizzen, so the generator is mounted directly above it.

We've taken moorings nearby each other often in Newport Harbor, but have yet to visit on each other's boats. So, I don't have any technical info or pictures to share. Aside from the cluttered appearance, the arrangement seems to work well.