Sailing Uma · video

What this video covers

To prepare a boat for an eight-month solo circumnavigation, the crew installs a 550-watt solar array using five MPPT controllers.9:25 The project involves fabricating custom stainless steel brackets to mount flexible solar panels on the lifelines, the foredeck, and the dodger.0:05 To maximize deck space and avoid interference with genoa sheets, the team relocates existing deck organizers and hard-mounts two panels directly to the foredeck.7:36 They design the rail-mounted panels with a multi-position latching system, allowing the panels to fold flat for sailing or extend outward for full sun exposure.15:20 The electrical system utilizes a centralized board with individual fuses for each MPPT, simplifying future maintenance and troubleshooting.2:53 The installation prioritizes modularity, ensuring the sailor can easily remove or reposition panels for storm preparation or sail changes.11:45 The project demonstrates that flexible, carbon-core solar panels can be hard-mounted to curved decks and withstand heavy use while providing significantly higher output than traditional flexible alternatives.17:00

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