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#91
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.   
#92
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... 
#93
Boat Bits / Re: LiFePO4 batteries going ma...
Last post by s/v necessity - March 22, 2025, 02:23:05 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gLIv7wa01Q

They have come down a bunch in the in just a few years! :)  I'm feeling bad for buying new lead acids last summer.  LiFePO4 is starting to look like a no brainer for my house batteries...
#94
Gear Here / Cheap(er), very easy non-manua...
Last post by CapnK - March 22, 2025, 09:50:37 AM
$1016, if I counted properly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wisuyHdsv-A

In the comments is mentioned a 12V high pressure motor/pump ( Pumptec Pumptec 107SS-105/M925 12V Pump & Motor ) as an alternative, but it's a $850 alone... and in the video, even using the 1500W inverter, he's making a gallon in under ~6 minutes of runtime. He estimates 100 watts per half gallon.

Not really saltwater-rated products, BUT - it's easy to make freshwater to clean them with, to make them last longer. Might need to replace the $79-99 pressure washer every few years, everything else looks like it would be OK WRT salt.

And looking at those, there are battery operated washers with enough PSI which may well work.
#95
Routes and Destinations / Re: Launch Sites
Last post by wolverine - March 20, 2025, 03:11:24 PM
😄😄😄 Yes the man is a wealth of information. He responded with some great ideas. He even provided links!
#96
Boat Bits / Re: Anchors and Rodes
Last post by CapnK - March 20, 2025, 02:37:28 PM
You're right - not much room there!

Maybe make a platform that sits *over* the lights and cleats, on which to mount a roller?
#97
Routes and Destinations / Re: Launch Sites
Last post by CapnK - March 20, 2025, 02:22:30 PM
Tap on Charles Brennan over on the TSBB, he likely knows some - or knows someone who does. :)
#98
Routes and Destinations / Launch Sites
Last post by wolverine - March 19, 2025, 08:21:21 PM
Looking for Florida Keys launch ramps were vehicles and trailers can be stored for a couple weeks.

Any suggestions?
#99
Boat Bits / Re: Anchors and Rodes
Last post by s/v necessity - March 19, 2025, 11:06:53 AM
Anyone got any ideas on what I can do for keeping my primary up front? Best I have been able to figure out so far is to just rig a simple roller, so retrieval is easier, and then lash the anchor to the siderail, or the cleat.  So far I've been carrying it back to the cockpit locker.

I might be able to move the navigation lights up onto the pulpit and be able to shoe horn something in there, but it'll be tight.  And I'm reluctant to start cutting up the bow fitting.  I know others have dealt with this by having a custom bow fitting made and installed.

I have thought that mounting it at the stern might be the way to go...  Not sure how that would work out though. I would think that retrieval might be more difficult, or atleast I'm not sure how I feel about dragging the boat backwards towards the anchor and then being pointed the wrong way (assuming a lee shore)

Oh and thanks for the discussion, I'll be running the #33 anchor up front, perhaps the #25 manson can be a secondary.
#100
Boat Discussion / Re: An old girlfriend just cal...
Last post by CapnK - March 18, 2025, 10:15:42 PM
Quote from: Frank on March 04, 2025, 11:03:46 AMCapt K
Secret to good photos now that digital are free, is to take lots!
Surely 1 or 2 turn out ok, then delete the rest 😄

True dat!!! ;D lol