A while back we purchased a wind generator off Ebay for really cheap. It has just been sitting, collecting dust while we tackled more urgent projects, like our engine. Now, it’s time for us to install it. I purchased my mounting hardware online and as for the poles and mast I went to our local metal shop and bought some schedule 40 aluminum pipe. I was originally going to get the poles powder coated but figured the plain aluminum would work fine.

Installation was really straight forward. It just took some coordination to hold this and hold that to make sure it was plumb. I had to be careful in placement of the base to make sure the stays cleared the railing and lifelines. I ended up attaching one end to the stern rail and the other next to the toe rail. All of the stays and the mast are thru-bolted and have rubber feet to isolate the vibration. I think the hardest part was crawling in and out of the cockpit locker to run the 8 gauge wire. At times it felt like I was wrestling a 25 foot long, 8 gauge anaconda in an area a contortionist would find tight.

After installing the new wind generator and our new house batteries (4-6volt Deca Batteries), I stepped back to admire our new “off-grid” power maker. One thing was missing though, WIND! Two days went by before the wind picked up. It was frustrating sitting at work and looking outside at the 25mph wind. As soon as I pulled into the marina, the wind died again. Fortunately the next day had some great wind and I sat back and giggle like a little school boy while it spun like crazy.