[tdw]

Currently our solar panels are mounted in a frame over the cockpit. Keeps the cockpit nicely shaded but limits the number of panels, blocks view up to the mainsail and shading from the boom is probably effecting the panels performance.

I'd like to put an arch on the stern which would allow us to increase the number of panels and unblock the view to the main. General shade for the cockpit can be easily sorted and we could then extend our boom cover back over the cockpit itself, whereas it now of course has to stop where the panels begin.

My big problem is how high above the windvane does the arch need to go so that the vane still operates properly ? Is it a practical idea to even consider it ? I really do not want to lose the vane (Hydrovane btw) if it can be avoided.

 

[westsailpatti]

That is one fine looking boat MALO 42 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com I would say you could do anything because you have the room . Maybe you could talk to a SS fab arch guy I'm sure they would have some great ideas . Possibly you could get some ideas from Dani & Tate . Look around on their blog as there are pics in other topics of their arch and vane
Solar Panels | Sundowner Sails Again
PS Andrew , that is one funky dog .

 

[aeventyr60]

I don't know the exact height you will need to make the arch for your hydrovane. I do know that my monitor windvane works fine with the SS arch I had fabricated in NZ. One of the considerations in not making the arch too high. I 'd start by putting the paddle on and then standing on you back deck and taking a few measurement. I had a long list of little goodies to make the arch an intergral, functionl part of the boat. Some of the goodes are:

Dinghy Motor lifter
Flag Pole Mount
Fishing Rod holder
Method to hold paddles, poles and other long devices
Radar mount.
Solar panel attachment points-I used the tubes.

I also made a removable helmsman Bimini out of sunbrella that comes off quickly and easily, I like to look at the stars at night.

Pictures when I get a chance. Here are the only one I have now.

 

[tdw]

That is one fine looking boat MALO 42 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com I would say you could do anything because you have the room . Maybe you could talk to a SS fab arch guy I'm sure they would have some great ideas . Possibly you could get some ideas from Dani & Tate . Look around on their blog as there are pics in other topics of their arch and vane
Solar Panels | Sundowner Sails Again
PS Andrew , that is one funky dog .

Dog ? DOG ? Well I never. That my fine feathered friend is a Wombat .... well it was. Even my eyes had a problem looking at it. New one is a kinder gentler me.

Thanks for the kind words re the boat.

Ref the arch my only concern is making sure the airflow around the vane is not detrimentally effected by the arch and the panels. That I presume will be determined by how high the arch is off the deck.

This is a pic of our current setup.

 

[aeventyr60]

Ref the arch my only concern is making sure the airflow around the vane is not detrimentally effected by the arch and the panels. That I presume will be determined by how high the arch is off the deck.

The airflow will hopefully be coming from the stern quarter, as you are no doubt a gentleman. Even to Windward the flow is not adversely affected on my setup.

 

[tdw]

Ref the arch my only concern is making sure the airflow around the vane is not detrimentally effected by the arch and the panels. That I presume will be determined by how high the arch is off the deck.

The airflow will hopefully be coming from the stern quarter, as you are no doubt a gentleman. Even to Windward the flow is not adversely affected on my setup.

No doubt ? What a fine fellow you are.

You have any pics of the aforementioned setup ? Looking at your profile pic it's a bit hard to tell what is going on back there but it seems similar to what I'm thinking of. Wind genny doesn't pose any problems ? How much solar do you carry ?

Our radar and wind genny are on the stern so I'm also wondering whether or not the radar at least would be better located on the mast.

 

[smurphny]

I had the same concern but have found there is no problem with having the arch and panels near the vane. I do believe that if angled the solar panels would probably disrupt the air flow and that it would have an effect. I try to keep the panels flat when using the windvane so airflow stays constant. Wish I had a picture but the plane of the panels, when flat/parallel to the water pretty much bisects the vane.

 

[JonEisberg]

I agree with the others, as long as the arch is somewhat above the top of the air vane, I would think it would not be all that much of a problem... Perhaps a bit of disruption of the airflow, but not that big a deal...

It's the aft cockpit enclosures that can be the killers for a vane... I sailed a Tayana 42 aft cockpit once with a full greenhouse... Once the apparent wind came forward of the beam, the Monitor vane became pretty useless...

 

[krisscross]

This is a pic of our current setup.

And you also want to add an arch there?

 

[tdw]

Aev ... I missed the post of yours with the pics. Thanks.

KrissCross .... instead of, not as well as.

One of the reasons for doing this is to open up the cockpit cos like Aev I like to lie in the cockpit at night and look up at the stars.

 

[krisscross]

One of the reasons for doing this is to open up the cockpit cos like Aev I like to lie in the cockpit at night and look up at the stars.

With my luck I would just get bird sh.t in the eye.

But seriously... if all the stuff you already have does not mess with your vane, chances are the the arch will be fine.

 

[tdw]

Well thanks for all that, most informative. My main concern had been that the WV would be buggered by being surrounded by all that crap. Seems not to be the case. Which is nice. I neither need nor want davits. Seems to me that a combination of foredeck, halyard and spinnaker pole works quite nicely thank you very much.

Now all I have to do is convince the Wombet that its a good idea. She can handle two solar panels over the cockpit but for some reason three over the stern on an arch has her worried. I think she has an image of a four storey wall of white water coming over the stern and is a wee bit freaked out by that. What a wuss.

My answer is that scattering the solar panels to the four corners of the earth might be the least of our worries. Me, i'd be more worried if we had a bloody inflatable on davits hanging off our arse. Not to mention my soiled boxers.