What's Wrong With This Picture?

[Lake-Effect]

In fairness, that first boat is in "sailing" mode, not "solar charging" mode. With sails down and sun on the stern, there probably enough exposed panels.

But... yeah. Too much stuff aloft.

[senormechanico]

Look again. Radar, two wind generators, FIVE antennas are all causing shade.
The only benefit for that boat when anchored is ONE solar panel won't be shaded by the main.

Amorphous panels can be shaded 50% and give out 50% of the power (which is very little in the first place) whereas mono and poly crystalline panels put out a lot more, but are severely compromised with even a little shading.

Up high and aft is usually the best place for panels, but not with junk above it.

Steve

[Blue Crab]

I've seen this behavior. It's called late-stage three foot itis. There just isn't enough room! The last, and usually fatal stage, is the full-cockpit enclosure indicating the owner will next be looking for a trawler.

[shadow]

I LOVE stormy weather!!! That is my idea of one of my dream boats.. Nice share!!!

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by shadow

I LOVE stormy weather!!! That is my idea of one of my dream boats.. Nice share!!!

You won't like the sound at 2 AM when you are SURE you must be dragging anchor because of the noise.
Even if it's well damped, you will hear it and get tensed up.
Solar panels are relatively quiet.
And no, I don't own a solar panel company, I've just already been through this excercise.

Steve

[Sailtexas]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

I've seen boats like this in real life several times, but as a double page photo spread in a well known sailing magazine portrayed as how to do it? Really?

This is why so many people say, "Solar Doesn't Work".

Of course it doesn't when there's a ton of other stuff ABOVE IT !

Last summer in the Canadian Gulf Islands, I saw a Lord Nelson 41 with a very well constructed arch/bimini, but with nearly the identical setup above the panels...
Argh.

That's not a Lord Nelson 41

[daddle]

What a nightmare. All that clutter. See it too often. Probably should have bought a much bigger boat. Given such a junk oriented lifestyle I would guess the solar panels are simply a 'green' political statement. Yachts like that run their gensets for hours a day. Ya know, freezer with steaks and ice cream, air con for their weak constitutions, etc, etc. What a nightmare of a lifestyle.

[djaustralia]

GO GO gadget CLUTTER!

[djaustralia]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Look again. Radar, two wind generators, FIVE antennas are all causing shade.
The only benefit for that boat when anchored is ONE solar panel won't be shaded by the main.

Amorphous panels can be shaded 50% and give out 50% of the power (which is very little in the first place) whereas mono and poly crystalline panels put out a lot more, but are severely compromised with even a little shading.

Up high and aft is usually the best place for panels, but not with junk above it.

Steve

I don't think the MAIN would be raised while anchored!

[djaustralia]

Originally Posted by Sailtexas

That's not a Lord Nelson 41

He said he "saw one" last summer. He didn't say the photographed yacht was a nelson.

[atoll]

he is obviously not cruising the med otherwise he would have a passerelle boarding ladder as well hanging off the back

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Sailtexas

That's not a Lord Nelson 41

Read my post again, noting the italics below.

Last summer in the Canadian Gulf Islands, I saw a Lord Nelson 41 with a very well constructed arch/bimini, but with nearly the identical setup above the panels...

Steve

[Sailtexas]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Read my post again, noting the italics below.

Last summer in the Canadian Gulf Islands, I saw a Lord Nelson 41 with a very well constructed arch/bimini, but with nearly the identical setup above the panels...

Steve

I missed that. I wondered why you wouldn't recognize a LN having owned one! Along the same lines when I bought my LN there was a nice stuffed leather office chair with armrests installed (sans base of course) at the helm by the previous owner! I'll post a photo when I find it. Thanks for the correction amigo : )