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KetoNomad · 12-08-2017, 06:01

Hey looks like I'm stuck in the marina for about another week and I'd like to use that time to better prepare the boat for cruising.

I'm on an Albin Vega and it's only got one 20 watt NASA solar panel on the sliding hatch cover so that's as good as worthless in England and most everywhere else. I notice most fulltime cruisers that own Vegas seem to put one 110watt rigid panel up on a frame above the pushpit. Seems like the only out of the way option on such a small boat. The current charge controller is a Solara SR60UL which seems to be as worthless as the panel it's connected to.

Just looking for advice from other Vega owners who've kitted their boats out for cruising with minimal to no expectations of shore power.

Another question: the battery charger is just concerned with converting AC to DC right? In other words I don't need to worry about it if I plan to be on the hook most of the time, right?

Hobie_ind · 14-08-2017, 08:06

We met this couple who built an arch on the back of their Vega. There are some photos early in the blog of it.

Nicely built out of laminated plywood then sealed with epoxy. Looked nice. I'm not sure how much solar they put on it, but they commented they rarely had to run their engine for power.

Sailing Tarka

AmericanVagrant · 14-08-2017, 13:33

If you want bling, paint them gold when you're done

**Pete7** · 14-08-2017, 14:19

Keto, lets start with the basics, you will need a copy of this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boatowners-...2745047&sr=1-5

Next have you done any sort of electrical budget? worth having a search on here and looking at how much you use per day, both in harbour / marina and at sea. Then you can spec how much solar you need.

This is a Moody 31 with 150w of solar on a former rib a frame and 30w of solar panel in front of the sprayhood and a 60w suitcase folding panel that is used only in harbour. In England during the summer this will run the fridge, laptop, lights and stuff in harbour quite happily providing we don't get a weeks worth of cloud and rain. In the winter, no chance.

I don't know what your budget is but this looks cheap:

Stainless Steel A Frame for boat see pics for sizes

Pete

KetoNomad · 15-08-2017, 01:24

AV, is that your new boat's decks? Jayzuz it's huge compared to your vega haha. Hope you're enjoying it

**Pete7** · 15-08-2017, 01:39

Keto, the alternative if you are on a limited budget is to forget stainless steel as its very expensive and use something like this with the powder coated finish.

https://www.themetalstore.co.uk/products/tube-clamp

KetoNomad · 15-08-2017, 02:00

Yeah I guess I'll see what's available when i get to a proper chandler.

**Pete7** · 15-08-2017, 02:24

Chandlers aren't going to have this stuff, you need to either have it made or make it yourself unfortunately. Even buying the stainless steel tube and fittings in a chandlers will be a fortune.

UK price for made to measure a frame will be north of £600, hence the suggestion of DIY.

Pete

KetoNomad · 15-08-2017, 03:56

Yeah I'm thinking for a start i may just go with two 55watt panels on the corners of the pushpit. I'd hate to have to stoop above decks because of a solar arch. Probably won't use much power especially once in warmer climes. Im sure I could jury rig mounts out of something for that. £600 is way more than it's worth.

Reefmagnet · 15-08-2017, 05:59

Very easy to make a tripod arch on a Vega. Clamp 2 X bits of 1" stainless tube to the Pushpit using hose clamps and the vertical rails. These need a slight bend just above the top of the rail facing forwards and towards the centerline connect these at the top using tee clamp fittings to a length of tube long enough for your panel. Use another straight piece of tube to form the centre leg of the tripod using a tee piece clamp at the top and anchor it to the back of the rear coaming using a bimini fitting. Use u-bolts to attach the panel to the horizontal tube. If you go upmarket and use alloy clamps with thumb screws instead, you can make the panel angle adjustable. Throw in a waterproof automotive style electrical connector and you can also make it removable. You can make this tripod with little more then a saw, drill and some sand (to fill the tube to stop it kinking when bending) and it should only take a few hours to build.

Had photobucket not gone rogue, I could have posted a picture of an example. I had a 120 watt panel attached to my frame and it was about 6 ft tall.

Actually, found a picture...

Reefmagnet · 15-08-2017, 06:13

Curse you photobucket....

KetoNomad · 15-08-2017, 07:31

Ahhhh so that's YOUR Vega! Been seeing the pictures for years. I bet everyone remembers you haha.

I might give that a try but I think for now I'm more inclined to attach right to the sides of the pushpit. I'm 6'8" so creating more low clearance areas on the boat seems masochistic.