SmoCo Sailingvideo
[Ep 14] Solar Arch DIY, This Time We Finish But Break Something Else | Part 2
June 29, 2025 · 26 min · 2K views · Shelter Island
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.▶ 2:37 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.▶ 13:52 After several days of labor, they successfully bolt the arch to the hull and prepare to mount the solar panels.▶ 23:41 The installation proves physically demanding, requiring the crew to contort into tight spaces and manage metal-on-metal tensioning issues.▶ 16:59
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