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Power is always a problem on a sailboat. At least
when talking about boats that travel far by sail. Many choose to
start their engine after a couple of days, or every other day, just
to recharge the batteries. And I see a lot of people make the
mistake of running the(ir) engine at a high idle speed without (any)
load rate. This is a big mistake. During normal use a diesel engine
will throw 5 % of its fuel directly into the exhaust. At a low load
rate this will blacken and ruin the oil and combust even less fuel.
(A gas-powered engine throws 8-10 % uncombusted fuel in the
exhaust). So for God's sake (and your engine's) go by your
propeller.
Many boat owners have bought solar panels. In most
cases, though, these make only a small contribution. My boat simply
isn't big enough to generate e.g. 20-25 amps/day if solar panels
should be the sole provider. I invested in a wind generator that
charges at all times and that's enough for me. Ideally, the perfect
setup would probably be a combination of solar panels and wind
generator. Especially when you're at anchor somewhere with no wind.
Let me confess here that I am sailing at night
without lights. And I'm not the only one if I may add. It sounds
stupid and reckless, but we are all basically going in the same
direction. Of course, I always talk to other single-handed sailors,
and most of them are (both) sailing and sleeping without lights. I'm
sure I know what viewpoint my association, Danish Ocean Cruising
Association, has on this issue. I'll probably get excluded (if I
survive he-he). From time to time I use an oil lamp suspended on the
deck. And when I am in the open sea with no lights at all.
On board Trojka things are so stupidly arranged that
the red navigation light on port side (left), green on starboard
(right) and white astern are three separate lights. Unlike most
newer boats that have a tricolour mast light with only one light
bulb. This means that I consume three times as much power. That is
something I will need to change once I get the mast down. I actually
considered buying a rotating blue light. It might very well be
illegal, and people passing would think I'm a fool. But if I could
get them to mistake me for a submarine, I am pretty sure they will
steer clear of me.
En route |
