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RobertB wrote:Does anyone know of a solar cell that is flexible enough to be semi-permantly attached the bimini so it does not need a separate structure and can be stowed with the bimini?

I have seen others but I just saw these at the TO boatshow this weekend. http://www.humberboats.ca/solar-boat/folding/

Not cheap and less efficient than solid ones .

Well I guess it all depends how you use your boat and your particular circumstances or location.
We run 2x 65w solar panels which along with the etec and in emergencies a 50amp 12vdc generator and cabling from the tow vehicle to keep power up to the start and two other 70AH batteries, we have a 240v mains inlet and a 600w inverter powering the 240v system and yes the emergency generator gets used regularly as we live aboard between 3-5 months a year.
Most of our power is taken by the fridge freezer and without it the generator would not be used? maybe.
It's ok to say that your batteries can do such and such but those batteries need to be maintained at an appropriate voltage and in practice are better being kept within the top 25% getting below 50% will do permanent damage and be much more costly.

The flexible solar cells are an amorphous or non crystalline type which don't produce nearly as much power as the poly crystalline models. While you can drape them over things, and walk on them they are low efficiency by comparison.

I have the 1000W Honda and store it under the helm seat. It plugs into the shore power connector and powers everything in the boat; 5000 BTU AC, heater, coffee pot, microwave, battery charger and lights.

True that it depends on power needs. I tried to work a bit with my laptop this summer on the boat but It's not something I want to make a habit of on this boat. The batteries/engine just could not keep up. I think about the generator option which is the simplest but then I remember those beautiful nights anchored out under the stars with only a few boats around having a glass of wine - and then somebody starts their generator and kills it all... Then there was also the huge powerboat at one of the serviced canal spots on the Rideau that took up the power outlets for 6 boats.

The flexibility of having the generator allows you to charge batteries anytime and leave the quiet times for drinking wine and enjoyment. The Rideau, I'm envious! When I was a kid, 1960, did the Kingston to Ottawa and back. Was an awesome trip. It's on my list for a return trip in the near future.


Marc

[quote="mdeane"]I have the 1000W Honda and store it under the helm seat. It plugs into the shore power connector and powers everything in the boat; 5000 BTU AC, heater, coffee pot, microwave, battery charger and lights.

I like how you have the Generator mounted! its out of the way and I would guess that most of the noise is blocked by the seat. Seeing this just sold me on getting the 1000 watt honda, as It will fulfill all my needs it seems. Now to find the best deal on all the bits I require!
I dont have a hookup for shore power, so I'll just have to run an extension cord when I want to hook up at a dock or marina *if i ever actually go to one for the night* A big THANK YOU to everyone thats helped out.
In my mind I picture myself with the boat anchored out in Lake Michigan at one of the many islands, with the cabin lights glowing, just enjoying life. D@mn this cold weather!!!!

When i replaced my batteries last year I forgot to change the voltage on the auto-combiner (gels charge at a slightly higher voltage) and all those times i was motoring around the batteries were not charging. So eventually we came close to completely discharging the house battery. After changing the auto comb and bridging the batteries to take a charge I was good to go again. What surprised me was how long it took for them to run dry. Running regular lights all evening (1-2 lights) for five or six hours, plus the house VHF for morning coffee/weather, and the CD player for twelve or more hours a day (there is a lot of sitting around in the early spring waiting for weather in Alaska) the one 34D gel cell lasted 7days before the stereo refused to stay on, or the GPS, or the VHF. After that I purchased a flexible 21 Watt, 1.35 Amp (model R-21) Powerfilm rollable solar panel (which the admiral found on ebay for half of the MSRP) that I hook up for the week while we're gone and everything is topped up when we get back.

And none of you are allowed to complain about the cold...it was -40'c or -40'F for those south of the border, and its supposed to stay for at least a week

Bugger the cold it was 44 deg celcius (111 deg f) here a few days ago wonderful aussie summer weather

-38 with wind chill here right now

40 f. and rain in Chicago.. Not good but not what I would expect here for this time of year..

mdeane wrote:The flexibility of having the generator allows you to charge batteries anytime and leave the quiet times for drinking wine and enjoyment. The Rideau, I'm envious! When I was a kid, 1960, did the Kingston to Ottawa and back. Was an awesome trip. It's on my list for a return trip in the near future.


Marc

The Rideau trip was fantastic. We did the whole loop starting from Montreal - up the Ottawa River - up the Rideau to Kingston - down the St-Laurence through the 1000 Islands back to Montreal. Incredible landscape and nice variety along the way. Lots of pretty little towns to stop in including a great little marina (Dow's Lake ) in downtown Ottawa. I do have to say that either a generator or solar panel would have helped me out during that trip, but only because I needed my pc on most weekdays.

We are getting slammed with a storm right now as I plan our 8 day ASA 101-3,4 and maybe 105-6 course cruise in the Florida Keys or BVI. Need something to look forward to.

I'll concur with Robbie on the Rideau experience, though I haven't been right through it like he's done. We're actually trying to find our downsized retirement home in this area, based on our last experiences.
Seeing this thread is has also become a weather report, I'll have to kindly request the Aussies to b*gger off with the 40c in the shade stuff! Not fair!
I always thought 'slip, slap, slop" was the sound your boat made in the marina overnight.

Bought me a Yamaha 1000 watt generator! $739 shipped!

The 1000 Honda will barely run a 5000 BTU air Condition and will run for 4 to 5 hrs here in SW Florida during summer on a tank full. You will need a fuel line running to one of your fuel tanks to keep it running all night.
A 2000 Honda will run 9 hrs running the AC. It also will be less noise as it will be running much less rpms.
You also need to vent the exaust or put it on top of your motor with a 1/2 inch rubber pad and straped to it.
Even with the 2000 you can only run one or two items you mentioned as all require min. 800 watts.
Best to pay the extra $250 for the 2000 and have a quite evening and not over work the Genset.
Thats what 90 % of small boats have here. Also have a Carbon Monoxide monitor below deck.
If you are towing a hard dink, put the gen. in it and have a twin bridel close to the stearn for much less noise.
Dave

mdeane wrote:I have the 1000W Honda and store it under the helm seat. It plugs into the shore power connector and powers everything in the boat; 5000 BTU AC, heater, coffee pot, microwave, battery charger and lights.