There are several ways and places to mount a wind generator aboard: attached to a stern arch, on a pole, forward of a mizzen mast, in the rigging, or even overboard and towed astern. Towing is the only option not suitable for the KISS.

If you have an arch or are planning to install one, we can provide you with a diagram & dimensions for your archbuilder to design a KISS-base into the arch. Or you can print out the diagram & dimensions from the bottom of the KISS page.

Manta Catamaran Mount

If you own a Manta catamaran, John designed and makes Hotwire's Manta Bracket, gussetted and powdercoated white, for $245.00, especially designed for Manta arches.

Pole Kit

Hotwire Enterprises has pole kits available for $375.00 which include the pole (1-1/2" Schedule 40 aluminum pipe, your choice of white powdercoated or polished anodized), two 1" stainless steel struts, and Hotwire's hardware kit. To save money on freight (and who doesn't like to save money!), you can pick up a pole and struts near you. They're standard marine materials. Then order just the hardware kit.

Pole Mount Hardware Kit

Hotwire's Pole Mounting Hardware Kit ($175.00) allows you to install your tower with no welding necessary. Our kit includes instructions, highly polished marine grade stainless steel hardware, and a selection of plastic isolators. Everything is provided except for your deck throughbolts. Their length will depend on the deck's thickness where you mount your pole.

Mizzen Bracket

Hotwire's Mizzen Bracket ($245.00) is designed to be mounted on the mizzen mast, somewhere near the spreaders. It will not allow 360 degrees rotation, but that's seldom an issue. When you're at anchor or on a mooring, the boat is always pointing into the wind. When you're dockside, you're usually plugged into shore power and have turned the KISS off. When you're sailing, you generally have the wind somewhere abeam. Our bracket will allow the KISS to turn into the wind 75 to 80 degrees on either side. The only time this would be a disadvantage is if you're doing a downwind circumnavigation.

We prefer this mount over one atop the mast for safety reasons. During installation or servicing, with this lower mount, you can use a halyard to support the weight of the bracket and later the weight of the KISS rather than have to hoist them over your head with no safety line. This position also keeps weight lower for better boat balance & safety. And the wind generator is easier and safer to reach to remove the blade assembly when preparing for a hurricane.

Hoisting Bracket

If you have no mizzen mast, no place to erect a tower, no arch... when you've exhausted your options and still can't figure out where to put a KISS... John has designed Hotwire's Hoisting Bracket which can be used to hang a KISS from the rigging once you've dropped the hook. $245.00

Contact us for further information or to place an order. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover.

Vibration Isolator

Hotwire's Vibration Isolator was developed to reduce vibration through the mounting structure of a wind generator. It is constructed of aluminum, pipe within pipe, separated by rubber similar to a car engine mount. This is an optional installation that goes at the top of a pole under a wind generator. It is also available as a built-in design feature on Hotwire's mizzen bracket.

We have installed one on the KISSmobile. Our old RV is flimsily constructed and had shuddered noisily when the KISS blades spun. Although it's an entirely subjective evaluation, our impression is that the noise caused by vibration has been reduced by at least half since the addition of the isolator.

$165.00

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