New product :Noiseless, highly efficient hydro-generator from Watt & Sea

Kiwi Yachting Consultants brings the latest development in European designed power generation to sailors down-under. Watt & Sea offer high peak power output without the noise, fumes, and unreliability of traditional power plants. The range of cruising and racing options offer a yacht complete energy autonomy with as little as 5 knots of boat speed.

The principle is simple, with the momentum of a yacht under sail turning an immersed propeller from a retractable stern leg on the transom. The refined Watt & Sea design is light, reliable and works in with the 'green philosophy' of the modern coastal and offshore sailor. A rudder-like bracket and hydrodynamic leg means amps are generated with as little as 3 knots boat speed. The environmentally friendly solution has already been nominated for the METS Design Award and won the 2010 Bateau Bleu award from the French Marine Federation.

Kiwi Yachting Consultants Director Richard Macalister has experienced the frustration of powering up at sea during years of racing and cruising offshore. He comments 'The Watt & Sea units are a powerful solution for power autonomy in blue-water racing… and the family agrees that sailing holidays are a lot more pleasant without the fumes and noise of an engine or generator.'

A yacht consuming an average of 2900Wh per day would normally need to run their engine for up to 4 hours to keep batteries replenished. Wind generation or solar panels generally cover around 20% of this usage. The Watt & Sea Cruising hydro-generator will cover your entire electrical system at 5 knots BSP and begin to pump out 500W at 8 knots.

Watt & Sea is distributed exclusively by Kiwi Yachting Consultants in Australia and New Zealand and is available now through boat builders and marine retailers nationwide. The units come in cruising or carbon racing options, and in varied leg lengths starting at off NZD$6995.00.

Technical Specifications

Nominal output: 500W (40A in 12V; 20A in 24V)
Start-up speed: 3 knots
Voltage : 12V or 24 V
Weight : 8 KG (3 KG convertor-regulator)
Dimensions : H - 116 cm or 80 cm; W - 38 cm
Aluminium leg: Delivered with convertor-regulator and 240 mm propeller

( by Tristan Campbell / http://www.marinebusiness-world.com )