In the family of hydrogenerators, competition is not raging. Yet the solution of "making" electricity using the power of the sails is really interesting on a sailing boat. Indeed, the power consumption on board a sailing yacht can be significant. Between the electronic equipment, including the automatic pilot, and comfort equipment such as the fridge, daily consumption can reach 200 Ah.
Lateral lift
Seatronic, a company based in Saint-Malo specialising in on-board electricity, is launching a new model. This is distinguished by an innovative lifting mechanism. Rather than rising backwards (like the competing models Watt&Sea and Switec), the Seatronic swivels sideways. So there is no effort to put it back in the water when the boat is moving forward. Moreover, by rotating freely on its axis, the hydrogenerator always remains vertical even when the boat heels.
While this method of fixing is ideal for dismantling the hydrogenerator (it is held by a pin on its axis), it also has the disadvantage of not having any security when it comes to encounter a floating object. It is true that this is quite rare in the transom, which is already protected by the keel and rudders. One axis (which breaks) was nevertheless provided for safety.
A hydro for cruising
This model which is equipped with a 3-blade carbon propeller of 28 cm diameter is efficient from 3 knots (according to the manufacturer's data) and charges 110 W at 5 knots and 270 W at 9 knots. It is therefore perfectly dimensioned for cruising yachts. The maximum power of the generator is 1.5 kW used at 30% of its power (i.e. 500 W max.). The weight of the set is 7.1 kg.
A hot prize
The machine is delivered with its MPTT regulator capable of supplying 12 or 24 V to parks. It is available at 2,780 euros (2020 prices). This price puts it almost 1000 euros cheaper than the Swi-Tec (3,660 euros) or the Watt&Sea Cruising 300 (3,490 euros)
