To Bimini or Not

[KeelsonGraham]

They are the dogz danglers. I'm waiting for the prices to come down (or for the Chinese rip-offs to appear).

I’ve just been talking to the UK equivalent, Sail-Gen. Parts shortages mean that they have nothing to sell for the next few months. What a shame.

 

[Dantp]

You will likely want solar to keep up with your fridge while in the Caribbean. If you don't have an arch or bimini it makes sense to combine them.
Our solar panels are in an arch that creat shade in the rear of the cockpit while sailing, and we add extra shade at anchor.
An unavoidable gap between the panels for the backstay gives us a view of the mast from the helm.
We also collect water from them.
It would be nice to have more shade but we couldn't bring anything much further forward without interfering with the end of the boom and mainsheet so it's a compromise.
How about a strongly built Bimini with designed mounting for rigid panels at the back, and a forward section that can fold back under sail for better stargazing on nightwatch (I don't think we touched the wheel for the whole crossing but I know some people like to helm).
I'm sure a hydro gen is great on a boat big/fast enough to consistently sail at 7+ knots.

 

[geem]

You will likely want solar to keep up with your fridge while in the Caribbean. If you don't have an arch or bimini it makes sense to combine them.
Our solar panels are in an arch that creat shade in the rear of the cockpit while sailing, and we add extra shade at anchor.
An unavoidable gap between the panels for the backstay gives us a view of the mast from the helm.
We also collect water from them.
It would be nice to have more shade but we couldn't bring anything much further forward without interfering with the end of the boom and mainsheet so it's a compromise.
How about a strongly built Bimini with designed mounting for rigid panels at the back, and a forward section that can fold back under sail for better stargazing on nightwatch (I don't think we touched the wheel for the whole crossing but I know some people like to helm).
I'm sure a hydro gen is great on a boat big/fast enough to consistently sail at 7+ knots.

We use a Duogen. It's a hydro gen and wind turbine in one. Had it since 2003. Done 3 Atlantic crossings with it. I realised how how good it is recently when we broke it and couldn't use it. We had a power deficit that meant we had to turn stuff off. It caught a net at night and broke an aluminium bracket. We got it welded up in Antigua and it's back running again.
It makes 200-250ah per day at 12v. It makes nothing like as much as a wind turbine unless it's blowing 20+ kts.
Edit
Just realised we have done 5 Atlantic crossings with it?

 

[dansaskip]

I have solar panels mounted on an arch and I used the framework of the arch with the addition of 2 extra frame members to support the bimini. The forward frame is hinged so it can be folded up against the arch if desired or needed.

 

[Norman_E]

A typical bimini frame made of 25mm tube is nowhere near strong enough for rigid solar panels. I used flexible panels (5 x 20 watts) on my bimini, held in place with velcro, but for rigid panels there is no real substitute for a proper arch made of bigger diameter tube and well braced.