After an overnight on our sailboat, we woke up to discover the batteries were dead (and couldn’t start the motor). We made it home safe sailing off the anchor and making our way back home but needless to say it was rough. Why did this happen? Because when sleeping on an anchored boat several lights need to be left on, sailboat engines aren’t run for a long time (so the alternator doesn’t completely charge) and sailing requires several electronics (depth finder, gps) all of which leads to dead batteries if you are not careful.   So we, the market of sailboat crusiers / weekenders have a clear need, we use more energy than the short motoring stints provide. Although many boaters combat this with larger batteries, this issue has led to what I believe the most wide spread adoption (%) of alternative energy within a market. While the smaller wind generators and solar panels aren’t churning out enough amperage for a house they do come in quite handy given the market needs. These smaller devices also deliver a lower price point and a state of mental happiness knowing that power will always come all you have to do is wait.