However, in the tradewinds many boats can generate a lot of
power without compromising speed.

this is not generally the statement made by those who have towed water powered
gens behind their boats. In fact, most such sailor report it costs them about
a half knot or more boat speed to generate even 70 watts, let alone 3,000
watts.

People claim lots of things. Are you claiming one of those towed generators is more efficient than
a large prop driving a modern motor generator? And why do you think they did it, was it just to
slow the boat down, or did they think it was the best way to generate some extra power? Are you
claiming you'd rather run a genset a few hours a day to keep the freezer going?

-jeff




"JAXAshby" wrote in message ...
However, in the tradewinds many boats can generate a lot of
power without compromising speed.

this is not generally the statement made by those who have towed water powered
gens behind their boats. In fact, most such sailor report it costs them about
a half knot or more boat speed to generate even 70 watts, let alone 3,000
watts.

no, I was saying that people who use 70 watt towed generators report speed
losses of about 1/2 knot, and therefore some consideration that a 3,000 watt
towed generator would have AT LEAST that much drag, and maybe -- just maybe,
you understand -- rather a bit more.

remember your alleged physics class, jeffie? remember TANSTAAFL?



People claim lots of things. Are you claiming one of those towed generators
is more efficient than
a large prop driving a modern motor generator? And why do you think they did
it, was it just to
slow the boat down, or did they think it was the best way to generate some
extra power? Are you
claiming you'd rather run a genset a few hours a day to keep the freezer
going?

-jeff




"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
However, in the tradewinds many boats can generate a lot of
power without compromising speed.

this is not generally the statement made by those who have towed water
powered
gens behind their boats. In fact, most such sailor report it costs them
about
a half knot or more boat speed to generate even 70 watts, let alone 3,000
watts.