As we have not participated in two Newport, Bermuda races in a row now I am feeling as though it is ok to add more cruising stuff to the boat. Fact is we are coastal cruisers first and foremost. One of the biggest challenges we face as we spend time on the boat is battery charging. In the past 9 seasons we simply ran the engine to charge batteries. Motoring in and out of harbors, a little motorsailing, powering when we didn't have to and simply running the engine. It certainly worked but... I am tired of running the engine all the time! So, this past weekend, I took a step in the direction I said I would never take and began installing a wind generator.

I decided to go with a Superwind unit as they are very quiet! That and they need no intervention in the case of high wind speeds! Dorsey was "less than happy" with the thought of the thing showing up on our already decidedly cluttered boat but when I began making noises about simply replacing the boat with a trawler she gave in (it is s ploy I use whenever I want something for the boat, she knows the game but she always gives in).

In any case it comes off easily enough if we ever want to do another Bermuda race and I think it looks fine. Dorsey even admitted that it looked much better than she thought it would, especially after I removed the decals from the steering blade.

Next year the Dodger and Bimini will be recovered and I will try to see if we can integrate a couple of flexible solar panels....

Bruce