solar panel

[jorg027]

I bought a solar panel to use as a battery charger, but I'm not sure where to mount it. It's about 20x30". It would be great not to have to remove it when sailing. I thought about mounting to the flip-up hatch. Anybody put a solar panel on their 23?

 

[C Jones]

Jorg027, The solar panel I found is 24"x24" I was going to mount it on my hatch.

 

[jorg027]

Jorg027, The solar panel I found is 24"x24" I was going to mount it on my hatch.

r u gonna mount it to be secured even while sailing? or will u make it removable?

thx!

Jack

 

[C Jones]

Jorg027, I am going to bungee it on to start with then Sail with it several times to see if my hatch location will work. My h23 faces west in my slip. I was thinking of putting a piano hinge on the port side to get some angle towards the sun in my slip. They recommend 45deg. for full output. I will put a stainless latch on the starboard side to secure it for sailing. I have shore power so my battery charger keeps it up just fine for now. I sail mostly nights all summer so my battery being charged is a priority.
I wish my h23 had a stern rail to mount it to.

 

[jorg027]

I am going to bungee it on to start with then Sail with it several times to see if my hatch location will work. My h23 faces west in my slip. I was thinking of putting a piano hinge on the port side to get some angle towards the sun in my slip. They recommend 45deg. for full output. I will put a stainless latch on the starboard side to secure it for sailing. I have shore power so my battery charger keeps it up just fine for now. I sail mostly nights all summer so my battery being charged is a priority.

Thanks for the info Jones! I'm on a mooring, so direction/angle won't be a factor for me. I think I'll follow you example by securing it temporarily at first.
BTW I saw your h23 pics...Wow!
Nice job maintaining and improving! 3 questions:
How did you get the boat SO white? The nonskid texture on mine gets clogged with dust/pollen, and it's got slightly off-white aged look.
How did you install bow cleats? I've looked on this forum for info on that subject and haven't found any. It's a project I've wanted to do for a while.
Is your extinguisher mounted under your step? Mines on the sliding galley. Not a bad spot, but yours appears more out of the way.

Thanks!

Jack












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[C Jones]

Jack, Thanks, its nice to hear all your hard work is noticed.
My boat was in pretty good shape when i got it.
I wash it 2-3 times a week with rolloff and bleach.
I just finished a 2 coat wax/cleaner job with 3m medium oxidized wax/cleaner
then 2 coats of Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine wax.
I plan to put a 2 coat high speed polish job on it next. Just on the smooth parts
I did my hull last year on the trailer but I would like to do it again now. I just have to figure out how to do it out of a dinghy and not get electrocuted.
I used a small 6" polisher I bought at Harbor freight on sale for $14 for the topside wax
I figured if it lasted one year I had my monies worth
Lots of hand work but the polisher saved me tons of hand work.
Also if your windows or sliding hatch gets cloudy/ dingy just polish them and they look very good again.
For my port and SB bow cleats I had wood under my rear pulpit deck mount. I just pre drilled and screwed into it.
The center bow cleat has a 4" square x 3/16" stainless steel backing plate.
Yes my fire extinguisher is mounted under my cabin step. The PO did that.
I have a update on my solar panel. I can't mount it to my hatch due to my companion way/ hatch cover.
I may have to just bungy it on in the slip and remove it for sailing.
Goodluck, Charles