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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Another project.... solar panel mount

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/02/2005 : 13:38:50

More prep work for the hoped for Lake Superior Cruise this summer. I have a Unisolar rigid panel and while the decision to go rigid has proved to be a good one in that it provides enough charging during cruising, it hasn't yet found a great home on the boat.

With it's 16 x 50 size, it was felt that eventually the best location would be off the stern some place but a lot of thought failed to come up with a good workable solution, at least one that incorporated any esthetics.

Giving up temporarily on the stern, another look was given to the cabin top. Locating there wasn't without problems but there does seem to be solutions for those wishing to use a rigid mount.

[url="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/solarpanelsupport.html"]Rigid Solar Panel Mounting[/url]

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

N/E Texas and Great Lakes
Arlyn's Sailing Site

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 03/02/2005 13:45:21

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2005 : 14:04:23

Arlyn,

Where are you cruising on Lake Superior this smmer and when? John Vining and I are cruising the Keweenaw Pennsula of Michigan the last week on June. Perhaps we can link up at some point?

As to the solar panel, I mounted a Sieman's 10 watt on the stern pulpit last year. As you ascertained on your 250, there's no real good spot to keep it out of the way. I'm opting to stay on the stern but am going to mount it on an aluminum mast so it doesn't interfere with deck operations.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - aeckhart on 03/02/2005 14:05:37

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2005 : 14:44:19

Al, we might cross paths... I'm planning to launch from the Keweenaw around either the 21st or 28th of June and cross to Isle Royale and circumnavigate and do some hiking.

When returning from Isle Royale, will change crews and sail eastward possibly all the way to White Fish Bay.

That raises a couple of questions needing guidance with. Which of the two harbors on the N/W Keweenaw would be better to put in at and would provide truck and trailer storage for two weeks?

Then, my crew change will likely move the truck and trailer east. I was sorta thinking to the state park, is it at Little Harbor? Or, the harbor just around White Fish Point. Do you have personal knowledge of either of those or/and any suggestions.

I'm shooting for about a month on the water and while normally trailer to Michigan and visit some, I'm thinking we will take a more direct route up through Iowa (not a dime's worth of difference between it and Wisconsin distance wise and it avoids Chicago...yeah!) and forego a Michigan (LP) visit this summer.

Y'll sure ya don't want to do Isle Royale? At any rate, if the weather is not good for a crossing, we will kill time at the Keweenaw and can link up with you and John. Should be able to make that happen some how.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2005 : 19:06:58

The project has been scrapped... have been talked out of doing it becaue of shading of cabin top location and difficulty in providing angular positioning. Will stick with what is being used now.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2005 : 19:27:46

Arlyn,

I too have been trying to find a home for my solar charger. During the Bimini trip my batteries when low enough that cabin lights were quite dim. We had to run the motor to see. And fuel was at a premium. So I bought a solar charger when they were on sale. But my stern has the OBM and the grill there. I have been trying to come up with a mount off the pulpit seat. But then it would be in danger of hitting the dock or pilons. If you could be a little more specific about the life line mounting I think I might go that course. Looks good.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2005 : 21:35:47

Ben, I don't have any pics of the solar panel hanging but will try to get pics and more details for you soon.

The system used now does allow the panel to moved to either side of the boat and tilted one axis.

I would also suggest the tennis ball corners...

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2005 : 22:36:56

Arlyn,

I don't know much about the White Fish Point area. I've only been as far south and east as Grand Marais, about 25 miles from White Fish Point. John Vining may have some insight since he lives near Sault Saint Marie, which is close.

John visited Isle Royale last year. He can brief you on his experience. His biggest complaint was the high cost of everything - gas, food, etc.

Our plan is to launch John's boat in Chassell, MI, on the Keweenaw waterway, on the 22d and depart on the 23d or 24th from the North Entry for Eagle Harbor or Copper Harbor. Eagle Harbor is an easy one day sail, Copper Harbor about 10 miles farther. A quick tour of Manitou Island and then on to Lac LaBelle for the night on the 24th or 25th, then to Grand Traverse Bay on the 25th or 26th. We will then go to the Huron Islands for a night, then back to the south entry to the waterway. We should be back on the 29th or 1st of July.

Where are you launching? It's possible to reverse our schedule to make a rendezvous a possibility. If anything, you can visit Houghton and have a beer or two with me. The waterway, Portage Canal, is beautiful and you might enjoy a brief stop here.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2005 : 23:13:24

Has anyone toyed with the idea of a permanent stainless steel arch for the stern of a 250? I have been mulling the idea for some time now and have been searching for ideas. Something that would combine bimini shading, solar panel mounting, and mast support for trailering. I am currently on travel in San Pedro (it's raining in L.A. AGAIN!) and have taken some pictures of an arch on a small boat in the marina here (Cabrillo Beach Marina). It was formed in conjunction with the stern pulpit. I have seen other mast supports involving an arch on other trailerables and don't believe the loads would be that difficult to overcome. The gears are still turning...

Arlyn,
As a side note, I have been able to free up three BUs recently and would like to know if that second steering mod is still available. I am not pleased with the play in my steering and the last time I was out in stiff winds down in San Diego I jumped a link on the chain (for the second or third time). As I hope to install an autopilot soon I believe your steering mod is a must have pre-requisite. E-mail me direct and let me know if your kit is still available. Thanks.

Edited by - on

haji
Deckhand

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USA
6 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2005 : 10:22:30

I too have been pondering a Stainless arch. Would incorporate into the line of bimini and be used for boom gallows, antenna mounts, solar, speakers, shower etc. This would not be the cheapest of of endeavors, but would seem practical. I will look at laying design, but am still waiting on my C250 delivery, I hope in the next few days. I have found arch manufacturers that will build them custom starting a around $2300 (ouch).

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2005 : 07:54:47

Al, tentative plans were to launch from either Eagle or Copper harbor but that was part of my question as to truck and trailer storage. I can move up a week so that we can link with y'all for a day or so before making for Isle Royale.

We can put in along the waterway as well and work out to one of the N/W harbors for departure for the crossing to Isle Royale.

The afternoon or evening departure makes sense from the waterway, I do the same sometimes when crossing Lake Huron towards the Georgian Bay. It is 90-100 miles depending. Coming back, I'm comfortable coming into Harrisville day or night.

Of course, we will be looking for a fair weather window to make Isle Royale so may linger Keweenaw if needed and if so, could do Manitou Island with Y'all. Springing across is not much difference from Manitou Island than it is from the waterway.

Would appreciate your help with the truck and trailer but know you have a cruise going on as well so if it can be done easily then great, but if its any problem, we will do otherwise.

My brother in law will be making the Isle Royale cruise with me and he and my sister will meet us at Keweenaw someplace and my wife Lin will vacation with my sister. Will do a crew swap after returning from Isle Royale.

Doing the waterway might give my sister (a fair weather boater) a leg and she would enjoy it if its scenic. She could do it either departing or after returning from Isle Royale... or both.

Lots of options.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2005 : 09:05:02

Arlyn,

I think we have the makings of a plan.

Do you want to store your truck/trailer indoors? If not I have lots of room for both you and John.

If you'd rather launch from Copper Harbor and meet there, they have a great, newly rebuilt facility. If you want to dock there for a day or so you can reserve a spot via the DNT web or call. The Harbor Master's wife is my dental hygeinest(?). If you have any questions I can get the answers for you. We have loads of Isle Royale expertise here. If you have any questions please ask. I have friends in the Isle Royale Boaters Association who can help if needed.

Eagle Harbor is not so good these days. The DNR has sorely neglected the marina. Our club offered to buy it last year but they gave it to the County and a historical organization. Everything is still servicable but......, I wouldn't leave my truck/trailer there for any length of time at all.

Lauching in Houghton, or better yet Chassell, is advantagious since it's close to civilizaton in case you need to make last minute repairs, gives you a tour of the waterway/Portage Lake, and, in the case of Chassell, allows you to dock for a couple of days free. Of course, you also get to meet my wife, partake of our hospitality, sail with John and I, and store your truck and trailer in our yard.

Convinced yet?

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

kbq
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2005 : 13:13:24

Arlyn -

Maybe you should kit up something like this:

[url="http://www.svendsens.com/metalworks/products.html"]super mount[/url]

Take care of the solar panel, outboard hoist, and everything else all at once!

Somehow, though, I think I'd have a hard time convincing the Admiral that we need this...

Kevin
"wait for me"
250wk #751

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2005 : 21:24:10

That thing has everything but a radar mount. oh wait... thats a added option!

Edited by - Tom Potter on 03/07/2005 21:25:27

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2005 : 01:02:21

I have an old Siemens 35W panel hanging off my stern. It's pretty large, and I don't like sailing with it. Docked, though, it does a great job keeping the batteries charged.

The attachment is with L shaped stainless bracket attached to a vertical mount of the starboard catbird seat, resulting in a 2 foot pole extending horizontally off the back of the boat. The panel has a dual swivel mount that allows you to adjust it in two directions.

I can't take credit for the setup -- I bought the boat with it. It works well, although a smaller 10W panel would be more manageable. I'll take pictures next weekend at the boat. The admiral has declared a cleaning day.

I'd much rather be sailing ..... if you know what I mean.

Max

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2005 : 00:35:53

Here's the solar panel on the back of "Lazy Days":

The panel is mounted with a triangular brace that slides into a sleeve mounted on the starboard catbird seat and held at the correct height with a cotter pin. The sleeve is attached to the catbird seat rail with with common hose clamps. The sleeve looks like a custom welded part.

The mount on the back of the solar panel is adjustable in two directions. I have no idea where this mount came from .... it's unlike anything I've seen with other solar panels. It looks more like something you'd find for making workshop tables and jigs.

Like I said, this big panel isn't nice to have on your boat for sailing, but it may give some ideas for developing a mount for a smaller panel. I remove the panel when sailing .... which is relatively simple to do, just unplug the wiring, loosen the clamp, and slide it off the bracket. I've only done this at dock in the marina ...... I expect it would be a hassle anchored out on the water.

Max

Edited by - mday on 03/14/2005 00:51:47

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