Solar panels on rail

[Syversens]

Hey all,

I'm thinking of getting solar panels for our Beneteau 361 99. I have a dodger and bimini but sometimes we like to fold up the bimini and I'd prefer not to have it on there... I heard someone mounted them on the rails and could fold them out to catch sun and hang alongside hull when not in use. I think that would work great back in the cockpit as those sides are unused but I can't find any vendor or specs for a system like this. Anyone made one like this or can point to somewhere you can buy one?

thanks!
Gaute

 

[Caboteur]

Where to put the solar penels?

Just finished doing this.
I used to have two 35W panels on swivel mounts on either side of the cockpit... we forgot to bring them in a couple of times when docking or transiting a lock; they don't look so nice after that.
On our new boat, the stern is much wider so I managed to mount two 85W panels behind the bimini. I dislike arches and davits so I managed to install the panels with only two 1 inch stainless tubes. The Bimini folds out of the way and the solar panels don't go further back than the swim platform.

Pierre, Le Caboteur

 

[Pops]

Caboteur, do you have any photos of your installation? I'm installing solar soon on my H27 (when I figure out how I want it). Thanks.

 

[Caboteur]

Photos?

No, but I will be returning to the boat which is about 100Km from here on Monday, I should take some pictures & post them around the end of next week.

Pierre, Le Caboteur

 

[Syversens]

Re: Photos?

Photos would be greatly appreciated. Also how you attached the panels to the rail, types of hinges and that stuff... Did you make it yourself? Looking forward to pics...

thanks!

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Also looking forward for pictures!!!

 

[Caboteur]

I went to the boat yesterday, took a few pics & then put on a coat of antifouling. Since it is snowing to-day I have the time to put this on the forum.

I had the tubing bent & installed by a local canvas & awning shop, I installed the panels & wiring myself. These are two 85W panels & should be more than enough for all my needs; the boat is on a mooring & I would appreciate using the fridge all summer.

You can see the swivel panels on my old boat: these were 35W each & weren't enough for the boat to be completely autonomous, but they helped. On the Atlantic crossings (3) they kept the engine running time to just under an hour a day, usually before the HAM net. However we forgot to take them in when docking & hit immovable objects & dockhands more than once.

I am having the same shop make me some fender bags; I baught those on my old boat "ready made" but can't find them any more. They were very good so if I could find some I would appreciate. They free up enough space to be able to bring a pair of folding bikes down the coast to the Bahamas this fall. (subliminal message to Merry Prankster... we will probably spend three weeks in the Albermarle & Pamlico sounds, local knowledge & help appreciated)

 

[Syversens]

nice! I went to the boat the other day too and found that panels tilting out from the side rails might easily be swiped off by a bad docking from my neighbor or myself.. not sure I want to go that way. the bimini seems a great place to go but I like to fold them up from time to time... I like the location all the way in the back like that. I found the price for the panels werent as good as I though and its dropped down a bit on my list but still on thanks for pics!