Plan-Seavideo
Our Boom BROKE and CRASHED Onto The Solar Arch!!! | (EP. 018)
14 September 2025 · 23 min · 3K views
What this video covers
The crew of a Bristol 455 sailboat fabricates a custom DIY solar arch using aluminum tubing and powder-coated brackets.0:48 During the installation, the boom drops onto the structure after the topping lift fails, forcing the team to reinforce the arch with diagonal supports and through-bolt the bases into the deck.5:20 To resolve a clearance issue where the boom rested on the arch, the crew uses a headsail halyard as a crane to lift the assembly, allowing them to cut six inches off the vertical supports.17:28 They secure five solar panels to the finished frame using rubber-lined mounting hardware and plastic washers to prevent galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and stainless steel.4:58 The project concludes with the crew replacing old, spliced wiring to eliminate potential fire hazards and completing their scuba certification.20:53 The experience demonstrates that structural integrity for a 10-foot span requires diagonal bracing to withstand accidental boom strikes and heavy loads.8:52
Boats in this video
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