Wind turbine installation on a boat

Generally, on a sailboat, the marine wind turbine will work better away from the sails and at a certain height. The rear arch is therefore an ideal location. But also ensure it is not overhanging the solar panels (due to shadows). There are many mounting kits suitable for your needs.

The most frequent criticism of wind turbines is noise, often caused by poor installation or a low-quality product.

There are two types of noise:
Aerodynamic noises (depend on the wind turbine).
Mechanical noises (depend on the installation).

Aerodynamic noises are due to air escaping over the trailing edges of the blades. To avoid these noises, prefer wind turbines that limit their rotation speed (the faster they spin, the noisier they are).

Mechanical noises come either from internal friction of the rotating shafts or from vibrations transmitted by the mast to the boat.

Internal friction can be controlled by regular maintenance (lubrication, tightening, cleaning). As for vibrations, they can be greatly reduced if the mast is mounted on silent blocks.

Nevertheless, a wind turbine always produces a slight noise when it turns, so at anchor, consider the neighbors and stop the blades, at least during the night, if your batteries are not too discharged.

For more details on the different types of wind turbines and on the electrical installation (batteries, regulators, cables, etc.), we recommend reading our comprehensive 'marine wind turbines' report by clicking here.