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Post by so40gtb on Feb 1, 2014 4:25:10 GMT
The bimini on our SO40 is now 14 years old and worn out. I have proposals from canvas shops to make a new one, but ...
My spouse and I will enter semi-retirement in a few years and expect to do some cruising measured in months rather than weeks. Some of the areas we wish to explore have few or no marinas, so we will be anchoring and without shore power frequently. This causes me to contemplate a more extensive refit in conjunction with the bimini replacement, looking at reworking the bimini ribs to support solar panels and perhaps other relevant equipment.
Has any other SO40 owner traveled this path? How did you configure the bimini support bows to be solar panel ready? Did you place the panels and have the canvas shop fit the bimini thereafter? Or place the canvas and then determine whether cutouts for solar panel support were needed?
Many thanks for any input!
--Karl
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Post by On y va on Feb 1, 2014 15:41:47 GMT
Hi Karl,
Although the question is not specific to a SO40, I do have the same boat and have been thinking about the same as I bought a solar panel two weeks ago.
Problem is that the bimini is foldable, which makes having fixed solar panels awkward. I don´t like to sail with my bimini out really, so I will most likely chose some form of frame, but small. But I don´t want a huge 30mm or 40mm tubed A-frame, as it doesn´t really go with the sleekness of the SO40´s profile and it is weight at totally the wrong place. Also, I want the solar panels to be tilt-able at least forward and backward, to be able to at least point at the sun a little bit better than just flat.
But in my opinion, using the bimini frames is not the way to go. But.....each to there own.
Marco
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Post by Trevor on Feb 2, 2014 9:59:57 GMT
Hello, I sewed my solar panels onto the bimini. I wondered how good the flexible panels would be and I now know they are magnificent. I was concerned about weight on the canvas but that was not an issue either as the panels weigh so little. I was also concerned at the moisture being trapped and causing mildew. Once again, no issue. If I really wanted to fold the bimini ( wouldn't happen but let's speak hypothetically) I can unzip the panels and remove them. I have 300 watts of solar now and think I could just get by with that much long term. The installation appears on H&T here www.jeanneau-owners.com/hintsandtips/so42dsbimini.htmlI hope this helps, Regards, Trevor |
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Post by MalcolmP on Feb 3, 2014 8:24:23 GMT
I have just posted these similar thoughts on the show solar thread - jeanneau.proboards.com/thread/3004/show-solarSailbleu's recent post and photos help with an idea I am having about putting flexible panels on the bimini. As I like to fold the bimini I think I may simply have pockets made in sunbrella that the panels can slide into - with a hole (maybe with drawstring) of course where the cells are - but wonder if I may only loose a small amount of potential energy if I actually had clear sprayhood style windows over the panels? , which would be much neater. With the wiring connected by plug in in-line waterproof connections on the bimini frame the panels might then also be removed for storage (both to increase lief and reduce theft)
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Post by Trevor on Feb 3, 2014 10:34:51 GMT
Hi Malcolm, That sounds like a great idea and an alternative but I still like the idea of the zippers. They completely part company with the other side of the zipper like a jacket zipper does and you have one side sewn onto the bimini and the other side sewn onto the panel. The flexible panels can easliy have a zipper sewn onto them. The result means you can remove the panels by simply unzipping them. It really does work.  Regards, Trevor |
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Post by ianpowolny on Feb 15, 2014 7:57:02 GMT
Malcolm,
As you know Etta and I are about to set off on our 2014 journey in April. Where can we buy a similar arch to the one 'Hoppy' has?
Ian
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Post by MalcolmP on Feb 15, 2014 9:11:49 GMT
Malcolm, As you know Etta and I are about to set off on our 2014 journey in April. Where can we buy a similar arch to the one 'Hoppy' has? Ian Hi Ian I think you will almost certainly need a bespoke fabrication if you want a full arch. That way you might also incorporate things like a derrick arm for lifting the outboard. I would suggest you ask Angus at Euroyachts who are good stainless fabricators on the West Coast. Down south here one of the best is Mr Stainless in Suffolk, but you will need to find someone similar who can easily get to the boat etc Have a look at Google images for " Yacht Radar Arch" should give you some ideas Malcolm |
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Post by ianpowolny on Feb 19, 2014 11:41:00 GMT
Hi all, I got a quote of around £2500 inc VAT for an arch for the 45DS. This should include dinghy davits and solar panel frame work from Mr Stainless and Stainless Marine Fabrications. I say 'should' as I'm always sceptical when I get a first quote and haven't worked it up to a final version. When I add the cost of a complete new bimini (£2234 inc VAT) from Tecsew it's getting expensive. The arch was bassed on a photo form Kato Marine.
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Post by chuckr on Feb 22, 2014 12:43:50 GMT
we have had SoulMates 10 years and same bimini -- we spent a lot of time in miami and caribbean and painted our bimini white using a elasticmatic roofing paint - it made it really waterproof and cut down the heat in the cockpit a lot -- we have been cruising over 6 years in the caribbean and crossed the atlantic in may of 2103 - we put rigid solar panels on when we started crusing and they added a bit of stability to the bimini - the framing was designed to attach to the exisiting bimini and we beefed that bimini structure up a bit -- we added side curtains last year before the crossing -- a couple of pics are attached i hope -- if need more let me know and i will take and share   Attachment DeletedAttachment Deleted |
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