SmoCo Sailingvideo
[Ep 13] Erecting a Solar Arch Tower on Our Sailboat, How Hard Could It Be? | Part 1
June 27, 2025 · 24 min · 725 views · Shelter Island
What this video covers
The owners of a cruising sailboat, *Cosmo*, install an aftermarket aluminum solar arch and tender davit system while moored at a transient slip in the Port of San Diego.5:33 The project requires mounting the arch to the stern, which necessitates drilling through the fiberglass hull and managing interference with the existing backstay.13:20 The crew encounters assembly challenges due to vague manufacturer instructions and missing components in the tender handler kit.9:33 To position the arch for mounting, they use a combination of halyards and lateral lines to hoist and cant the structure into place.15:55 After initial attempts to fit the legs into the deck-mounted feet fail, the crew uses ratchet straps to apply tension and pull the legs inward to achieve the necessary alignment.19:12 The installation involves accessing the interior of the stern lazarette to secure backing plates and hardware.17:28 The project also includes adding 820 watts of solar capacity to the vessel's electrical array.14:45
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