interesting weekend

[fred1diver]

so I had the chance to go out on a 3 day sail with a friend and my son, it was pretty interesting, it started out as a nice afternoon sail to go anchor near the canadian parliament to get ready to watch the canada day fireworks, a part from the little storm that blew in it was a great evening.
the next morning I asked my buddy to raise anchor, he kept complaining it was heavier than normal, he found out why when the anchor was in sight, there was a good sized rock that was cradled by the anchor, we sailed for a bit to go to rideau falls where we anchored to do a little fishing, no fish were caught but when it was time to raise anchor, my buddy still complained about the anchor weight, but this time it was even heavier. As much as he tried to raise it, it would not budge, looking at the anchor rode we found out why it was so hard to raise, it was caught around the swing keel, we manouvered around to free the rode, a good 15 minutes then he again complained about too much weight, this time he had caught a nice 10 lbs boulder, it wasn't his day.
the rest of the day went by uneventfully and we did manage to catch a nice 4lbs catfish, but the Bbq was out of gas so no warm dinner that evening.

the next morning we went for a nice sail and headed back to the marina to drop off my friend and to pick up another one along with his son, the wind had really picked up and I'm not completely at ease sailing in big gusts of wind so we motored along, heading east to petrie Island, a nice beach. later when it was time to head back to the marina the wind had really picked up, it was hard for my little 4hp motor to take us back about mid way in the return trip my motor started making a weird noise, it wasn't long until we found out the problem, the throttle handle retaining screw had come loose and the arm flew off the handle, easy repair since we hadn't lost any parts, so back on our way, it was coming close to diner time and the kids were complaining that they were hungry, luckily my friend had brought a propane tank but my lighter went dead on me trying to light the Bbq, so cold diner again, the as soon as we started back on our way the chart plotter went dead, my battery was dead from 2, 3 day weekends, so I had to avoid the sand traps and make my way home without a depth finder, we made it back no problem, but all in all an interesting weekend.
now I'm left with the question, should I get a second battery or a solar panel?

 

[rgranger]

A solar panel will cost about as much as a new battery... and it will make your batteries last a lot longer before you need to replace them. Cost wise... in the long run... I think the solar panel is the way to go.

 

[fred1diver]

I don't know anything about solar panels, I don't know what size and wattage I need, and the hardest part will be where to mount it, I only have a 23ft trailer sailer, not a lot of room for a panel

 

[jssailem]

Fred. Here is an interesting read. Back ground info to help in decision making. I'm beginning to look for a solution in my boat. Will be watching your thread for ideas.

https://www.emarineinc.com/Best-Marine-Solar-Panels

 

[Brian D]

My panel is located on the starboard stern rail. It sits so the bulk of the panel is outboard. It is 50 watts (about 2.5 amps) and serves me well.

 

[fred1diver]

I'm afraid I'd break it when lowering and raising the mast, my starboard rail has my Bbq.

 

[Brian D]

Here is my thread. You can take the panel down when not in use.

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...y-have-solar-on-the-boat.156270/#post-1057965

 

[Bad Obsession]

I have a great solar set-up on Saga. I am running a 100 watt flexible panel to a Genasun GV-10 charge controller. My house bank is 2 GC2 batteries for a total of 230 amp hours.

The flexible solar panel sits out of the way on top of my bimini when in use. I store it down below when the boat is at her slip. I simply tie it to the bimini. I may eventually add velcro to attach the solar panel but the tying on works for now.

If you can swing it check out the Solbian Flexible Panels. They are expensive but worth it. I am running a Renology Flexible panel but there have been a few reports of them causing fires. My set-up probably won't cause a fire since the panel doesn't sit against anything rigid but that is another reason why the panel is not hooked up when I am not there. I will eventually upgrade to a Solbian Panel someday.

 

[fred1diver]

nice setup, but unfortunately I don't have a bimini

 

[rgranger]

Your power needs are kind of low... so you really don't need to go big or even worry about a controller so long as you don't leave it plugged in while you are gone for a period of time

Check out something like this... 5W for only $12
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5W-12V-Port...173038?hash=item41ad86e4ee:g:kPQAAOSwX~dWn0ZM

Or this 10W for only $26
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-12V-Pol...276919?hash=item3f544d12f7:g:xzMAAOSwiLdWBchv

(I feel like one of those late nite TV infomercial guys... but wait there is more!)

But in all seriousness, for under $100 you can set up a 6W solar panel and charge controller... bolt it to your companionway hatch with some wing nuts and use a bit of lock tight to keep the casual thief from walking off with it. You could run fans all night long and never worry about running out of juice. BTW. Does your outboard have a charging unit?

 

[Bad Obsession]

I would never cruise without a bimini. After having one you learn that they are worth so much. Shade on a sunny day, cover on a rainy day. I can take this one up and down pretty quickly too.

If you want a good solar set-up then this would be a good addition. You won't regret the bimini. I was out 12 days without going into a slip. I had almost full batteries the entire time, even after a few days of rain.

 

[rgranger]

I said 6W but I meant 6A.

W = V x A

 

[fred1diver]

BTW. Does your outboard have a charging unit?

no it's only a 4hp engine, as far as I know it doesn't have an alternator

 

[fred1diver]

bad obsession, I only have a boom tent, a bimini would be more trouble than anything since I always take the mast down.

 

[BILLNPR]

I use a solar panel from Nothern Tool, http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660269_200660269

I just tie it to the foot of the mast most of the time when sailing. When in the slip on the trailer at home, I leave the panel on the seat in the cockpit. Battery is always ready to go at full charge. I even use it bring up anow auxiliary battery which is weak to run my depth finder and charge my cell phone.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I can leave my bimini on my boat, folded down, and still remove the mast if I want to. I can take it up and down pretty quickly too. It is all about the design of the system. Me, I would rather take the trouble and save my skin from the direct sunlight.

I would hate to rig my mast everytime I sailed. I may have more rigging with my boat because I have to remove three stays just to drop the mast.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Yep, just as I remembered, the Bimini is folded down and covered and the mast was dropped over it. It works well. I have to remove my dodger, totally, but the rest seems to work just fine. I remove the bimini for the season and store it inside though.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

now I'm left with the question, should I get a second battery or a solar panel?

A barbeque lighter!

 

[jepomer]

I used Ganz flexible solar panels flush mounted on the foredeck. 110 watt array that keeps the house and motive batteries charged. The panels will conform to the curvature of the deck. AND you can walk on them! They are slippery when wet, but there is plenty of deck space to walk and not slip.

The motor is a Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 purchased in 2011. The boat is (normally) on a mooring with no shore power. The solar panels keep the four GC2 batteries and one Group 27 charged. The Genasun charge controllers are set for 12 vdc nominal input. One provides the nominal 12 vdc for the house battery. The other provides the nominal 24 vdc for the motive batteries.

The picture was taken during an unplanned careening exercise.

 

[fred1diver]

I just finished charging my battery and the charger tells me that there is a problem with the battery, not sure exactly what but it gives me an alarm code, so I guess I'll have to get a new battery, solar charger will have to wait