Superwind 350 Wind-gen Upgrades

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The Superwind 350 was Practical Sailors top pick of the five wind-generators we reviewed in the July 2007 issue and it was named to PSs 2007 Gear of the Year list. Since that test, the Superwinds manufacturer has made some improvements in the units design and function, including the new carbon-fiber Silent Power Blades.

While the three-bladed wind-gen proved to be exceptionally quiet, its price is still pretty steep, in our opinion. Installing a Superwind 350 will run you about $2,800-$3,000. Thats nearly double the cost of some of the other micro wind turbines on the market.

Practical Sailor talked to Superwinds Mark Dettmer at the Miami Strictly Sail boat show about the wind-gens upgrades and the benefit vs. cost question.

After our interview with Mark, we heard from show-goer Fritz Breckner, a long-time PS subscriber, cruiser, and owner of a Superwind 350. Fritz told us that his experiences with the Superwind reflect our 2007 test results. It has performed well and quietly, he said, for the five years hes had it onboard his 45-foot catamaran, Fritz.

We plan to take a look at the updated Superwind 350 in a future issue of Practical Sailor.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him by email at practicalsailor@belvoir.com.