solar panels above bimini,why not?

[nello]

 I am new and do not know if is here the correct place for putting a new discussion. I bought one month ago a sloop 365. as I sail in caribbean and have 4 solar panel I thoungh to install them above the bimini. but never I saw that in caribbean expecially in  monohulls. I am asking Why ? before I had ( lost in honduras last year) a cat and had not problem to install them on davits but in 365 no much space. Before I install would know opinions. maybe would better make a binimi structure in steel ? But is heavy and do not know other problems I can meet in the future. expecially in storm. I have not experience in 365.tks for your info and suggestion.sorry for my english

[Dale Tanski]

nello,

Sounds like a good idea to me.  If you had the ketch I would be concerned about the mizzen boom but you should be safe putting them up there.  How do you like the boat so far?  Does she live up to your expectations especially after a cat?  Are you staying in the islands?  What would you recommend to others with 365's heading down that way.

Good Sailing
Dale Tanski

[INCOMMUNICADO]

Nello,I think you have a sloop there is option of using the bimini with ridged or flexible panels.But if not I have a 185 amp panel mounted on davits.I also carry a Honda EU-2000.Here is a site  that has rail mounts bimini, davit mounts and control panels.Look at all your options all over the net.Then make a choice that is best for your situation.I am not trying to be vague there is alot of information out there and what fits me maynot be good for the way you use your boat.emarine.com .We are happy to have you on the site with use.Allen

[nello]

hola marusca y incommunicado first of all sorry for my english. with 365 till now I am without experience. I hope she can front storms.I met a lot of  them and made me stressed. refer catamaran yes is another way to sail.all positive but whit it I did not felt total safety. Santo domingo is ok but not for sailing. much problems and desert about services. my target is to go to los roches and  san blass -panama- so I quite did the entirely round in the caribbean sea.
to put the solar panel, around 400 w I have,on davits is impossible and not convenient. an hard bimini would be ideal but ( and is for this I am asking at forum ) around no many sailors use this system. bye amigos

[wedelstein]

I went for 2 100 watt panels above the binimi. I like it better than over the Dodger. I would go larger if I did it again. Very often I loose almost 50% of the output due to the Mizzen shadow. When I live on the boat in the Bahamas I do what I can to move the Mizzen Boom to avoid the shadow. I am not always successful. So far the most output I have seen is 10 amps under ideal conditions. Most of the timw I see about 3 to 4 amps here in virginia not going out of my way to avoid the shadow. This makes it possible to run my engine to keep up every other day instead of every day.

[Leo]

We are thinking about solar on the Bimini too, would this be an issue in storm conditions? Maybe make them easily removable?

Leo