Since its creation and its use by all ocean racers (Vendée, Globe, Volvo Ocean Race and today Mini-Transat...), the hydrogenerator has shown its qualities. This propeller, which turns in the wake of the yachts as they sail, efficiently recharges the batteries.
This almost infinite source of energy is also of interest to cruising enthusiasts. And particularly those who are looking for long-term autonomy, sailing boats that do not often reach ports.
Difficult to install a hydro on a sailboat with a skirt
For aesthetic or technical reasons, hydrogenerators are not easily installed on yachts with sloping skirts or transoms. Mounting them outdoors always requires custom adaptation. And the handling (raising and lowering the unit), to ropes that are difficult to handle once leaning at the back of the boat. What works very well on a racing yacht, is much less practical on a cruising yacht.
The pod under the hull!
To meet this demand, Watt&Sea has just tested a new mounting solution: the pod under the hull. The hydrogenerator is definitively fixed under the hull just behind the keel. It is bolted through the hull. It protrudes underneath and looks like a sail drive.
Its aluminium mast places the propeller 10 cm below the hull bottom. Protected by the keel, the tests carried out on a Dufour 42 in the summer of 2017 showed that the propeller was not at great risk. No impact with floating objects or even algae getting caught in the propeller.
Identical performance
Offered as standard with the 240 mm diameter propeller (10 A at 5.6 knots), this model accepts a range of 3 propellers that can be chosen according to the average sailing speed of the yacht (between 3 and 20 knots). The power output increases exponentially above 6 knots. To produce more at low speed, it is possible to use the 280 mm model. To produce at higher speed with less drag, the 200 mm model can be used.
An operation that can be forgotten
Under the hull, the hydrogenerator runs continuously: the propeller keeps turning. When the batteries are full, a simple ON/OFF switch that can be placed on the chart table interrupts the charge. The hydrogenerator comes with an inverter that also accepts solar panels as an input.
This model can be fitted on a new boat as well as on a second-hand model, whether it is a monohull or a catamaran. Requiring no maintenance, it will only need to be cleaned during the refit just like the rest of the hull.
POD 600
- Hydrogenerator: Rated power 600 W
- Converter: Max. power 600 W, 12 V / 24 V autodetected, 48 V optional, Input for solar panels 7.5-50 V / 14 A
- Fixing pole: 100 mm
- Standard propeller: 240 mm
Technical data
- 5 knot production: 10 A at 12 V (120 W) with 240 mm propeller
- Maximum operating speed: 15 knots with the 240 mm propeller
- Compatible batteries: Lead, Lithium (for others, consult the manufacturer)
Congestion
- Hydrogenerator: 5 kg
- Converter: 1.5 kg
- Pod length: 360 mm
