GB36-where to install 4 solar panels

[SteveK]

36 Classic Grand Banks Specifically.

Has anyone installed 4-100 watt panels on a 36 GB Classic.
The top of Bimini is the best location for all round sun.
My concern is adding 80-100 lbs to the Bimini frame, can it handle it?

Looking for pictures, mounting methods actually used successfully on a sister ship.

 

[koliver]

Is your Bimini frame aluminum or Stainless? Is it 7/8" or 1" tubing?
Is it necessary to put the panels on the Bimini, or would hanging the panels from the upper railing suffice?
See this: https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s31/my-new-solar-system-44588.html
Since mounting those twin 160w panels, I have run for weeks at a time without needing to generate power except for hot water. Mine are shaded by the Bimini occasionally, live happily in the horizontal position for weeks at a time, don't interfere with rafting, don't require any messing with the Bimini.
This past summer we cruised with a GB. Its Bimini would not have supported any solar, as it was Aluminum tubing. My own is 7/8" SS tubing, but if I was going to put panels up there, I would prefer 1" tubing, or flexible panels (weight is considerably less).

 

[DavidM]

Look at flexible panels. They weigh less than half of rigid ones. I put three, 100 watt panels on the bimini of my catamaran sailboat. I just sewed through the eyes of the panel into the bimini fabric to attach them. Worked great.

Flexible panels aren't as efficient as rigid ones, so it takes more surface area. Older ones didn't last very long, but maybe newer are better.

David

 

[SteveK]

Keith, this is all your fault, you and that Tom in Nanaimo!
I looked at your wing mounting two panels and decided I am too lazy to deploy them and deal with extra wiring runs.

I have the 4-100 watt panels in the garage. I dismissed one 400 watt panel and dismissed flex panels after my research led me away. So other panel options are not considered now, thanks.

I have 1 inch stainless.
I can almost do chin ups on the tubing, almost, so I know it has a limitation. I am confident the tubing will hold an extra 100lbs vertically. It is horizontally I have concerns and may need to add bracing for those side to side rocking days.
Making it top heavy. Thus my directed question to others with GB36 and how/where they mounted.

 

[Comodave]

On a previous boat we had to add some sideways bracing to stop the bimini from racking. We went from 1” tube to 1.25” and it was amazing how strong it became. But even with 1” if you add some angled sideways support it should be fine. I glassed in a 1/4” aluminum plate where the braces were attached to the deck, but I do that for almost anything I attach to the boat if they have any ability to put much load on the fittings.

 

[SteveK]

On a previous boat we had to add some sideways bracing to stop the bimini from racking. We went from 1” tube to 1.25” and it was amazing how strong it became. But even with 1” if you add some angled sideways support it should be fine. I glassed in a 1/4” aluminum plate where the braces were attached to the deck, but I do that for almost anything I attach to the boat if they have any ability to put much load on the fittings.

Dave, I was thinking the same. The front has straps now, no movement, the rear could with weight added. I thought of adding 45* stainless or straps to the mast may do the same. perhaps the stainless is best, or both.

 

[Comodave]

If you go with a S/S tube you shouldn’t need straps too.

 

[SteveK]

If you go with a S/S tube you shouldn’t need straps too.