Its that time of year. Pictures of your Boat decorated for the Holidays

walt

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Jun 1, 2007
3,541
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
Fort Lauderdale requires a minimum of 1000 watts for their audio specs. I used a 1000 watt amp with the inverter last year with no issue but had fewer lights
What is the audio for? Singing Elvis on the sailboat at Christmas.. NICE!!! LOL!!!
 

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
What is the audio for? Singing Elvis on the sailboat at Christmas.. NICE!!! LOL!!!

The Winterfest Boat Parade is broadcast on live TV, and streamed live over the internet on Staurday night at 7:00 pm est. I think there are 7 cameras and two helicopters. My understanding is they had issues in previous parades with very poor audio quality from boats blasting distorted/clipped music from under powered systems. It was such an issue that there is a complete audio requirements manual issued to each captain. I just make the cut with my 1000 watt amp. They were suggesting 2000 - 3000 watts, and even included lists of commercial audio rental companies, and appropriate equipment based upon the size of your boat. Ill try to post a picture of my system later tonight after I get it set up and tested.
 
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Likes: walt
Oct 19, 2017
7,977
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
I just make the cut with my 1000 watt amp. They were suggesting 2000 - 3000 watts, and even included lists of commercial audio rental companies,
Or... It could be a silent parade.
- Will (Dragonfly)
 
Apr 16, 2017
841
Federation NCC-1701 Riverside
Management decided I can't hang the house lights off a ladder anymore but apparently it's ok to walk around a cluttered deck 6' above the concrete driveway.View attachment 144334
HOA Officer: Sir, you cant leave your sailboat in the lawn. It must be parked in the road in the direction of traffic, and for no more than 3 days.

Me: Waaaaaat? That's a Christmas decoration. Ill take it down after new years.
 
Oct 19, 2017
7,977
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
Will. Did you mean a ‘Silent Night’ parade?
No, I meant, if it becomes too restrictive and too expensive to meet the requirements imposed for better sound quality because people complain about bad quality sound at a free parade then they may windup with participants opting not to play any music. I was just being flip.
- Will (Dragonfly)
 

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
So the audio system is on the boat and tested.

2017-12-08 00.16.27.jpg


Once I had it set up I decided to test my power usage using my Victron Energy battery monitor.

Audio system by itself is using about 6.5 amps of DC through the inverter at about half power (I couldnt crank it up due to the time of night I was working at in a residential neighborhood)

Christmas lights are using about 4.5 amps through the inverter.

My standard cabin lights use about 2.1 amps

So total DC load is bout 13.1 amps

My shore-power charger is only 6 amps so no running this through the inverter on shore- power (but why would I?)

I disconnected the shore-power charger, and started the up the engine.

At idle, I was still drawing about 2.5 amps off the batteries which would be the same load as using the cabin lights at anchor.

At half throttle, the alternator was handling the inverter and the cabin lights while pumping 9.5 amps back into the batteries. So I think I will be good to go for power for the parades.
 
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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Here's a skimpy picture of my Beneteau 32 in the Annapolis Parade of lights a couple years ago. The theme was The Wizard of Oz, and that WAS a rainbow when it all started, and ruby shoes.The winning entry was presented by my Beneteau club- CB2 for short.
 

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pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Here are some pictures from Sunday's 55th annual Pompano Beach Lighthouse Point Boat Parade

This is one of my sailing club members boats called Imagine

2017-12-10 17.58.59.jpg


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