Hydrogenerators

THE HYDROGENERATOR

Originally designed for ocean racing, to meet the power needs of sailing boats, the hydrogenerator has become an essential part of on-board equipment. Its particularly easy operation has finally won over the general public, and yachtsmen in particular.

All you have to do is submerge the hydrogenerator mounted on the boat's transom, and the propeller will turn and generate electricity. The process is efficient enough to guarantee sufficient production to power on-board electrical equipment: instrumentation, GPS, probes, VHF, autopilot, as well as the refrigerator or cabin heating.

Very easy to use, the hydrogenerator is equipped with a lifting system that allows the pilot to lower or raise it depending on whether sea conditions are ideal for electrical production or not (see Cruising 600 model below)

In this category, we offer you a selection ofWatt&Sea hydrogenerators, inventors of the process and widely used aboard some of the world's greatest ocean-racing yachts. Well-known models include the Cruising 600, Cruising 300, Pod 600 and more.

The French brand also offers a model that can be mounted under the hull, just aft of the keel, to simplify installation on certain sailboats whose architecture does not allow for aft mounting.

HOW A HYDROGENERATOR WORKS

A hydrogenerator for boats is a device used to generate electricity using the kinetic energy of moving water. The propeller rotates in the water, driving an alternator that generates electricity.

The higher the boat's speed, the greater the electricity generated. The size of the propeller also affects the amount of electricity generated, as a larger propeller will be able to capture more kinetic energy from the moving water at low speed, while a smaller propeller will be more efficient at high speed, as it will leave less drag.

At anchor, the hydrogenerator can also remain submerged, as the water current will turn the propeller, but it is preferable to use it while sailing for optimum energy production. Electricity production is directly related to the wind speed in knots that drives the yacht.

Hydrogenerators are used in conjunction with other energy production systems, such as wind turbines, solar panels and generators. It allows batteries to be recharged using sailing speed, making it ideal for regattas and increasing electrical autonomy.