SmoCo Sailing · video

What this video covers

Armand and Liya install a custom aluminum solar arch on their sailboat, *Cosmo*, while moored in a marina. The project requires extensive structural modifications, including removing teak trim and fiberglass to access the stern lazarettes for mounting the arch feet.0:10 The couple struggles with precise alignment, repeatedly hoisting the arch with halyards to trim the legs and drill mounting holes.7:52 They encounter significant difficulty securing the feet due to the boat's curved hull and the lack of clear manufacturer instructions.14:33 To achieve a secure fit, they use ratchet straps to tension the aluminum frame and employ custom backing plates with thread-locking adhesive inside the cramped lazarette compartments.14:23 After several days of labor, they successfully bolt the arch to the hull and prepare to mount the solar panels.22:30 The installation proves physically demanding, requiring the crew to contort into tight spaces and manage metal-on-metal tensioning issues.17:03

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