Flight Level Zerovideo
Solar Panel Upgrade and Outboard Engine Hoist Install
8 January 2026 · 12 min · 2K views · US East Coast
Man installs solar panels on sailboat arch in marina
What this video covers
Chris and Karmen upgraded the solar array on their Beneteau 57, Vanishing Point, to increase energy independence while cruising.▶ 3:49 The project replaced three ageing 330-watt monofacial panels with three 590-watt bifacial panels, increasing total solar capacity to approximately 1.7 kilowatts.▶ 5:51 The new 144-cell panels operate at 52.5 volts, compared to the 39-volt output of the previous 108-cell units.▶ 6:08 To accommodate the bifacial design, the crew removed the canvas shade beneath the arch to allow light exposure to the underside of the panels.▶ 7:57 The installation utilises the existing Victron lithium battery system and MPPT controllers.▶ 5:07 Additionally, Chris installed a Cato Marine engine hoist on the stainless steel arch, which required drilling and tapping the tubing.▶ 1:06 The boat retains its original 220-volt, 60-hertz European electrical system to avoid the complexities of frequency conversion while in the United States.▶ 4:09 The solar upgrade resulted in a threefold increase in power production, potentially allowing the owners to rely less on the boat's 9.9 kW generator.▶ 11:07
Boats in this video
More from Flight Level Zero
From Flight Level Zero — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.