Stern Gantry on 28 footer

[thomd]

For some time I have been trying to work out the best way of mounting solar panels and Air Breeze on my Vancouver 28. I don't particularly like the idea of adapting the guard rails and fixing solid panels there as they are quite vulnerable in that position so am thinking of installing a stern gantry that can incorporate wind gen, solar and bimini also. I don't have enough unshaded space on deck to mount the panels there effectively. I know that on a 28 footer a stern gantry is not going to look great but can't think of any other option. I have an Aries installed but I understand they are not effected by a gantry.

I would be interested to hear of solutions others have come up with on a small boat like mine and if anyone has photos of their setup it would be much appreciated to help me design mine.

Thanks.

 

[Tintin]

For some time I have been trying to work out the best way of mounting solar panels and Air Breeze on my Vancouver 28. I don't particularly like the idea of adapting the guard rails and fixing solid panels there as they are quite vulnerable in that position so am thinking of installing a stern gantry that can incorporate wind gen, solar and bimini also. I don't have enough unshaded space on deck to mount the panels there effectively. I know that on a 28 footer a stern gantry is not going to look great but can't think of any other option. I have an Aries installed but I understand they are not effected by a gantry.

I would be interested to hear of solutions others have come up with on a small boat like mine and if anyone has photos of their setup it would be much appreciated to help me design mine.

Thanks.

I had the same conundrum with me old 27ft boat but before I bought all the kit.

I decided it would be cheaper and far less hassle to add a few more batteries and run the engine occasionally, along with a small roving solar panel to keep things topped up when the boat was on its swinging mooring.

I figurred the cost of a wind gen and the A-frame would buy an awful lot of diesel.

 

[dansaskip]

I am faced with the same problem myself but just for solar panels on my Vancouver 28. Currently trying to come up with a good design along with SS fabricator. I'll let you know if I come up with a good design.

Have a photo of similar set up on Van32 which I will post later. Photo posted its a Vancouver 34 though.
Looks like the overhanging panel had been added later, but interesting how arch also used as basis for folding vimimi.

I decided it would be cheaper and far less hassle to add a few more batteries and run the engine occasionally, along with a small roving solar panel to keep things topped up when the boat was on its swinging mooring.

No running the engine is not a suitable alternative if you are planning long passages and want to be truely independant

 

[thomd]

I am faced with the same problem myself but just for solar panels on my Vancouver 28. Currently trying to come up with a good design along with SS fabricator. I'll let you know if I come up with a good design.

Have a photo of similar set up on Van32 which I will post later.



No running the engine is not a suitable alternative if you are planning long passages and want to be truely independant

Thanks would be interested to hear how things progress and likewise if I have any more ideas myself will let you know. Interested to see the photo of the Van32 setup.

 

[thomd]

I had the same conundrum with me old 27ft boat but before I bought all the kit.

I decided it would be cheaper and far less hassle to add a few more batteries and run the engine occasionally, along with a small roving solar panel to keep things topped up when the boat was on its swinging mooring.

I figurred the cost of a wind gen and the A-frame would buy an awful lot of diesel.

Not an option for me because I plan to take my boat offshore and relying on just the engine for battery charging is too much of a risk in my view.

 

[vyv_cox]

Not an option for me because I plan to take my boat offshore and relying on just the engine for battery charging is too much of a risk in my view.

I think you are quite correct. Also, having a flexible solar panel at sea is a complete pain in the backside. Even with six tied lines. four corners plus two long edges, it flaps a lot in any wind and is always in shade! An arch is the only way to go. I suggest you try with inch tube and standard fittings, not too expensive and easily modified. The photo shows our original version that was intended to allow the panels to tilt by sliding the aft struts up and down the forward ones. This proved to be unnecessary and rather too flexible, so I have now lengthened the aft ones and fixed them to the transom. Works very well.

Clearly a bigger boat than yours but no reason why it should not work equally well. In Greece we see plenty of smaller boats with panels on arches.

 

[Blueboatman]

Dylan of this very parish has a neat looking arch on his new acquisition. Maybe in the fullness of time he will strip it off too?