Can someone direct me to where I may find information on the average wind speed in Treasure Beach? Does anyone know the average land wind speed for the area?

12 to 16

It depends on your actual location, and the time of year. For example, the wind at Back Seaside (east of Great Bay) can be pretty strong coming off the Sea, and is steered due west by the hills. You can see the strength of the wind by just looking at how the trees on the hillside are bent westward. I've always imagined that this would be a great location for a windfarm.

Elsewhere in the area, unless there's an actual storm/hurricane we don't get much wind. That is because the predominant Northeast Trade Winds must traverse mountainous terrain before reaching our South Coast (another reason why the area is typically semi-arid because the moisture bearing winds are dry by the time they get to us).

During the "cooler" months, we occasionally experience a little North Wind which sends the locals scurrying for sweaters and jackets.

Then there are days when not a leaf moves, and you can stand in the shade dripping like a faucet.

For what it is worth, whenever I come back to TB my fishing friends see me and say "Uncle Peter come, breeze deh blow!" Frankly, there is usually a steady 10-20 knot southwesterly breeze during the day which falls away during the evening and night. Around Christmas you can have days of calm. In the hurricane season wind can come from just about any direction. Other times mostly from SE to SW. Northers are unpredictable. Are you after windsurfing? If so I don't think you will be dissappointed!

If you're windsurfing, at http://www.oceanweather.com/data/index.html you can click to the area including Jamaica and get a view of wave height and direction, which is of course directly related to our winds.
I would have said the prevailing wind is onshore out of the southeast. I'd say google's 12 to 16 mph is a pretty good estimate for late morning to late afternoon on sunny days. I have a little hand-held anemometer at Hikaru, but have never tried to record averages.

I'm guessing that Real Big Man is looking for the info for a wind turbine or similar. Though he may have a wind/kite surf rig that goes on land as well.

Guessing is correct - wind generator.
Big up to all who have contributed to this thread.

I have two options: 1) A generator that kicks in at 6mph and is best suited for areas with average wind speeds of 6-12mph. 2) A wind generator that kicks in at 13mph and is best suited for areas with average wind speeds of 13mph and above.

Does anyone have an opinion on which would be most appropriate?
Any feedback would be appreciated.

Option #1 seems more appropo. That seems more like erring on the side of caution, and in line with the speeds posted above by three different people. Mr Real Big Man, this is exciting if you're serious about it.

It would depend where you put your generator. Some places in TB get a lot more breeze than others. I stayed at Rainbow Point and if we opened the louvres wide in our bedroom things would blow around. We had to use a little quilt at night to be comfortable. I have been other places at roughly the same time and the air seemed to hardly be moving.

I'd be hesitant to go to the expense and trouble of installing a Ginny without either doing some proper year-long wind studies with an anemometer or at least going to the proposed location and seeing how the winds are at several times of the year. Of course, time and money may not allow for doing it the 'right' way.

When I was doing the environmental club and Turbine projects at Munro, I got a free subscription to Home Power. Its a great DYI source for all kinds of alternative energy projects. They may have suggestions.
http://homepower.com/home/

Its exciting to hear about this project. Please keep us updated on its progress, Big Man.

Check out Honeywell's WT6500 wind turbine.
See what you think. Not sure what one would cost but if you find out (Please) let us know. 1LOVE

Hey, the Honeywell wind turbine system made by Windtronics is in the range of $6000US. Wish manufacturer's would stop raking us over the coals.

Mr Real Big Man, anything new on the windward side?