That is quite the massive arch, wow!! I feel like I could build my own studio apartment on top of it, lol. At least Constantin feels comfortable scaling it. You're all set for long distance cruising though, now - come to the Caribbean and see us!
Hmm, not sure yet about the Caribbean… (by boat I mean). However, we are self sufficient on electricity now… except when baking in the electric oven. Max production 7kWh in one day, in North Brittany…
What a brilliant and informative video. Very helpful as we are ready to do the same. Based in Scotland but heading South at the end of the year. Might check out Solent Fabrication. Looks very solid.
I would have mounted that arch on starboard mounting plates. The metal is sitting on gelcoat. Also starboard or metal backing plates. Don’t know about all that reinforcement with a deck that thick. That was a waste of time.
Thanks for the video. I'm planning to do something very similar in a Bavaria 51. Please, could you share which solar panel brand/model you used? and after almost two years, any recommendations on the equipment you used then? What would you do differently if you had to do it again? Thanks again for sharing the video (your knowledge and wisdom😁😁).
Hi Juan We used the solar panels from Sunpower SPR-MAX3-400-COM, rated at 400W each. They are wired in series and connected to a Victron MPPT 250/100. We have a 12V LiFePO4 battery bank of 600Ah = 7.2kW. After 2 years we are very happy. Of course, here in Scotland and further north the solar yield is close to zero from September to March, but during the cruising season we generate about 3.5-4kW on an average day which covers our daily needs. On a nice summer days it is much more, we have seen over 7kW of solar yield a day which is enough to run even the water heater from solar… What would we do differently? Retrospectively, I think the only thing we would do differently is the arch. I think I would spend more time (and money) on a proper integrated davit system for the dinghy. Whilst we can lift and hang the dinghy underneath the panels the frame is not made for a 55kg dinghy in rough seas. So, it continues to be stowed on the foredeck. Hope this helps. Good luck with your project! Best regards, Daniel
Our dinghy is 53kg and the engine another 50kg or so. With a lighter dinghy and perhaps an electric outboard you will easily half the weight and then it is less of an issue. If you want to lift a heavier dinghy think about integrating a davit system into your arch. Also, consider the weight on the stern of the boat in general, as in weight trim and boat stability. Try to keep the dinghy as low as possible.
@@sailingpolaris tx for that. I already have davits, but looking to get the dinghy lifted by the arch completely and remove the davits to make space for a wind vane to save the autopilot and batteries on long journeys. You didn't consider having the arch go forward a little bit more?
You have built a landing pad for the drone! :)
That’s actually a great idea😂
Wow, I‘m really impressed at all the DIY work you‘re doing and still after all this years, Swiss precision. Dad would be so proud!
There were days when I thought I could not do this any longer - and I could feel his kick…
That is quite the massive arch, wow!! I feel like I could build my own studio apartment on top of it, lol. At least Constantin feels comfortable scaling it. You're all set for long distance cruising though, now - come to the Caribbean and see us!
Hmm, not sure yet about the Caribbean… (by boat I mean). However, we are self sufficient on electricity now… except when baking in the electric oven. Max production 7kWh in one day, in North Brittany…
What a brilliant and informative video. Very helpful as we are ready to do the same. Based in Scotland but heading South at the end of the year. Might check out Solent Fabrication. Looks very solid.
Glad it was helpful! Let me know if you want more details.
I would have mounted that arch on starboard mounting plates. The metal is sitting on gelcoat. Also starboard or metal backing plates. Don’t know about all that reinforcement with a deck that thick. That was a waste of time.
Hello, may be I missed it but what type of solar panels did you use? Make, performance, dimensions?
3 x 400W, Sunpower SPR-MAX3-400-COM,
sunpower.maxeon.com/int/sites/default/files/2022-02/SPR-MAX3-400%20SPR-MAX3-395%20SPR-MAX3-390_0.pdf
Thanks for the video. I'm planning to do something very similar in a Bavaria 51. Please, could you share which solar panel brand/model you used? and after almost two years, any recommendations on the equipment you used then? What would you do differently if you had to do it again? Thanks again for sharing the video (your knowledge and wisdom😁😁).
Hi Juan
We used the solar panels from Sunpower SPR-MAX3-400-COM, rated at 400W each. They are wired in series and connected to a Victron MPPT 250/100. We have a 12V LiFePO4 battery bank of 600Ah = 7.2kW.
After 2 years we are very happy. Of course, here in Scotland and further north the solar yield is close to zero from September to March, but during the cruising season we generate about 3.5-4kW on an average day which covers our daily needs. On a nice summer days it is much more, we have seen over 7kW of solar yield a day which is enough to run even the water heater from solar…
What would we do differently? Retrospectively, I think the only thing we would do differently is the arch. I think I would spend more time (and money) on a proper integrated davit system for the dinghy. Whilst we can lift and hang the dinghy underneath the panels the frame is not made for a 55kg dinghy in rough seas. So, it continues to be stowed on the foredeck.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your project!
Best regards,
Daniel
@@sailingpolaris Any thoughts on how you would improve to carry the dinghy? I have a Bavaria 45 Cruiser 2011 model and about to head down this path.
Our dinghy is 53kg and the engine another 50kg or so.
With a lighter dinghy and perhaps an electric outboard you will easily half the weight and then it is less of an issue.
If you want to lift a heavier dinghy think about integrating a davit system into your arch. Also, consider the weight on the stern of the boat in general, as in weight trim and boat stability.
Try to keep the dinghy as low as possible.
@@sailingpolaris tx for that. I already have davits, but looking to get the dinghy lifted by the arch completely and remove the davits to make space for a wind vane to save the autopilot and batteries on long journeys. You didn't consider having the arch go forward a little bit more?
I wish I had seen you guys in Largs, I was there just after you. Had work done by 360Boat Services, not DDZ that you worked with.
No backing plates?
Sure we did… 😉