Wind generator -- repair or cut off?

[GrowleyMonster]

Well, a wind gen works whenever the wind blows, with or without sunshine. Sometimes that is a really good thing. Sometimes a meh thing.

For the noise and the spinning blade hazard and the solar shadowing, you don't get much return in amps. Solar is the champ. Except when the sun doesn't shine. If you mostly enjoy sunny days where and when you sail, the wind gen is just a PITA. Busted blades and tail fin? Pretty strong case for getting rid of it unless you think you might some day be glad to have it. In which case, yeah, fix it, but fix it cheap. Don't need it for the most part? If you have a place to store it, I would take it down and keep it down until you do.

The old mast has got to be good for something. Before taking an angle grinder to it, I would give it a few months to see what sort of antlers or sensors take root there. And you could decide that it is a good place to mount a wind generator when you do need it.

[sailingharry]

Growly,

You have hit on our solution. The pole holds up our stern light, so removing it causes problems right there. We have another issue -- it is supposed to be a slip fit, but I don't have what it takes to pull that slip fit.... So for this year at least, it will be an unobtrusive conversation piece.

The Caribbean is penciled in for the winter of 23/24, and it may be justified there/then.

[chrisr]

as the man said, it all depends upon your personal circumstances

for us (full time cruising live-aboard) it works to cover all the bases...we have solar...we have wind...we have a diesel generator. what we don't have is low batteries - ever

so wind doesn't produce a lot...so what ? it's part of the mix. solar does the heavy lifting but wind is topping up 24/7.

of course if it's one or the other, solar is the go...but best to cover all options.

cheers,