Recent posts

#11

Boat Bits / Re: LiFePO4 batteries going ma...

Last post by s/v necessity - March 27, 2025, 05:58:58 PM

I see it's common to use a 200ah battery.  I'm not seeing much of a cost incentive (compared to running two 100ah.)  Is there anything I might be missing here?  (I'm leaning towards running multiple 100s)  I'm headed up to the boat here soon to take some measurements!

#12

sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I Know Where I'll be Frida...

Last post by s/v necessity - March 26, 2025, 01:06:41 AM

https://www.windtideandoar.com/

Ran across that earlier this week.  Looks like it might be a while before we can see it here in the states.

#13

Boat Bits / Re: LiFePO4 batteries going ma...

Last post by CapnK - March 25, 2025, 11:14:41 PM

I picked some up this year: 2x 100Ah "Dr Prepare" brand for the house bank, and 1X 50Ah LiTime for my little power skiff, to run nav lights, bilge, and a trolling motor. Did use the 100's to run Chinese diesel heaters this winter on boat, and in shop and van. They are amazing.

#14

sailFar.net Discussion / Re: I Know Where I'll be Frida...

Last post by CapnK - March 25, 2025, 11:11:00 PM

Cool.

No pun intended... ;D

That reminds me, I've been wanting to (re-, I think) watch the video about the young guys who took an Albin Vega to the Antartic... Berserk, or something like that? Will have to look it up...

#15

sailFar.net Discussion / I Know Where I'll be Friday

Last post by wolverine - March 25, 2025, 07:32:30 PM

Posted at the Piggly Wiggly...

#16

Boat Bits / Re: LiFePO4 batteries going ma...

Last post by wolverine - March 25, 2025, 07:26:10 PM

I have them in my Compac 19 and would like to have them in my Orion too. That will take some rewiring. 2 lead acids for the deisel and 2-200ah lithiums for the house.

#17

Boat Bits / Re: LiFePO4 batteries going ma...

Last post by Frank - March 25, 2025, 06:30:04 PM

They have been a total game changer cruising here for me.
Can't praise them enough...

#18

Gear Here / Re: Solar Panels

Last post by CapnK - March 24, 2025, 08:18:11 AM

From what I've read, like the rest of solar, they have gotten better with advancements in the tech over the past few years. I've got 2X 100 watt rigid panels for the bimini roof solar watercatching system planned, and am thinking to supplement that with flexibles.

#19

Gear Here / Re: Solar Panels

Last post by wolverine - March 23, 2025, 02:33:33 PM

I've had good luck with them. A small 25 watt flexible panel came with my Compac 19 and served me well for over 10 years. I sat in the cockpit and it received enough light to keep the batteries topped off. I had a cheap $100, 100 watt flexible panel on the Seidelmann for 3 years working great. It was bungeed to the top of the bimini. I recently bought a small 50 watt flexible panel for the Compac. I'm thinking of installing on the cabin top in front of the sliding hatch using stick on velcro. The hatch has enough clearance to slide over the panel, and the velcro will allow me to remove it when trailering. If the velcro doesn't work out, I'll try installing snaps on the companionway hatch and installing that way.   

#20

Gear Here / Solar Panels

Last post by s/v necessity - March 22, 2025, 06:59:08 PM

I'm looking to put some solar on my small boat. I'm trying to avoid having racks and supporting structures though.  I was thinking of getting some flexible panels that I could store or hang while under way and then deploy while at anchor.  Thoughts anyone?  I see that many folks haven't had the greatest luck with flexible panels...  But then again it looks like some folks seem happy...