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Just a quick note:
Amorphous silicon solar panels, though their output is significently lower per square metre, are not so immune to the shadow problems, and are capable of charging in cloudly conditions rather than requiring direct sunshine.

Solar technology has vastly improved over the last 5 years.

Wind Generators: I found that the small Rutland (model 503?) failed to 'point' properly on a pitching CO26, very rarely charging except for when in harbour. Not ideal! I'm not sure whether it was a balance problem with the vane vs. prop, or whether it was more fundamental - that the undulation of the boat was making the mounting pole swing round in a cone thereby 'spinning up' angular momentum...
They also generatre horrid amounts of MF noise - ruining Navtex reception. And can't be stripped away to reduce windage for Storms.

My next investment will most definitely be in Solar.

Back from a summer Falmouth --> Porto Santo --> Azores --> Falmouth run,

Best day was 134nm (the day after a gale, broad reach with a F6-7 rushing along), worst was 18 or so.
Particularly suffered in light airs - F2 was too little to run the self steering and so the boat drifted whilst asleep. It takes at least a good F4 to fully power up the rig, when one is laden down with all the necessary weight for blue-water work.

The general average seemed to run between 70 & 80nm per day; a rather pitiful 3kts!

I think the best way to improve the speed would be to get rid of any internal engine, and serious consider weight distribution.

Re: Windvane Pacific Light

Sailed Fantana for over 3000nm, unbelievably reliable. Only issue is that you're very exposed when you stand on the transom to physically twist the vane to change direction! Design is very simple, no grease or oil - all big milled bits of aluminium.

It sits on a marine ply & stainless steel construction, steering the boat by a ~4mm diam chain fitting in a little jammer screwed into the tiller. Small (<15 degree) corrections can be made by 'hopping' the chain along, and you can disengage the pilot in a flash. You need to build / have built some kind of block for them to dangle off the back on, if you look at the windpilot website, Fantana is the 'model' for co26s.

The vanes themselves are a simple (template supplied) bit of marine ply, held in place by a pinch grip. The little trim-rudder is similarly simple, and would be repairable pretty much anywhere. You change the angle of the vane depending on the strength of the wind. It doesn't steer brilliantly in a blow when downwind with a following sea.