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I have approximately 6,000 watts of Sun Power panels and 2 each Outback controllers - 60 Amps each at 48v nominal. System was installed fall 2008 and has been working since with no issues. Battery is LiFePo 1,000 AH 48 volts. I highly recommend Outback controllers along with their inverters...

71 and counting. Been boating 60 + years.

Amused I get a kick out of the speculative comments in this thread. The boat sunk because the owner failed to maintain her and was out in weather for which he was ill prepared. As noted above, an 8d battery was not properly tied down and broke loose in heavy seas, hitting the stuffing box and...

Download Sun Seeker Lite - a free app. It gives you the angle of the sun above the horizon throughout the day for your location. Subtract this angle from 90 to give you the angle of the sun from the perpendicular (to the panels). Multiply the cosine of this angle by the rated watts of your...

There are some hybrid MPPT controllers out there that handle inputs from wind and solar. The most efficient cells are made by Sun Power - they market panels as well as a company in Europe (mounted on flexible ones).

There exist a variety of systems in the electric hybrid world that essentially insert themselves between the output of the diesel and the shaft - of course, the shaft would need shortening and machining to allow for the space required. These can have a clutch, also, to disengage the electric...

I have always felt that the best "take home" system is using the main prop and shaft with some form of power belted to the shaft. A small outboard propeller (or even a small, inboard take-home system with small propeller) will not work as well as the main prop, HP for HP. If starting from...

Good news is that you can put it on your home account as an add'l tv. Next to no monthly cost. You can mount directly to you PH roof as long as radar scan is above it. If it has it's own black box to control the dish, you may get away with a "normal" DirecTV receiver/DVR. Email me directly if...

Awl Grip (and others) sell a high-build epoxy primer. Most likely 2 coats of this, ideally sprayed on, would prepare the surface best. After polishing with 600 grit to 2a mirror finish, spray (or brush) on urethane top coat (not epoxy). This will give you a "factory" finish. Typical oil based...

No. The GH47 has been produced with many fine examples cruising. I believe Ken wants to focus on the lower profile N series in both 37' and 47'.

If you spend more than a day making this one-time mold, you're doing something wrong. It does take some woodworking skills, not beyond the average do it yourselfer. The lamination lulu be picky depending on number of slots.

This has been an educational thread - and a bit if time travel to some of Marin's old posts. Good work!

Shoal. Here's how to make a fiberglass platform with slots and flange. 1. As I mentioned before, make a flat table a bit bigger than plat form and cover with shiny mica. 2. Using your template, set vertical pieces around the perimeter. These should also be faced in the same shiny mica. For...

Quick questions: 1. How do plan on mounting the skiff? 2. How do you plan on getting skiff on and off? 3. Is beam 62"? If snugged agInst transom, you can figure the total wright is out 32" aft of transom. This is where you'll need to calculate load weight. The skiff brings in a whole set of...

I see a few recommendations for the Krogen Manatee. The bigger Whaleback is also a contender. All living is done on one level that opens to back porch. One flight up is the pilot house. A stair leads up. No need to go upstairs unless you're underway. For day to day living, stay down. Save your...

If you're willing to work in fiberglass you can do it yourself. Quick answer to your question - do not use wood core! Closed dell PVC is best. 1. Make a full size template. 2. Make a flat table bigger than template and cover with shiny mica 3. Fabricate a flange that matches the edge of...

Seems that since you have a four year old, you most likely have a job? And will use the boat weekends and vacations? That world voyaging is not likely!? Just curious why full displacement is #1 on your list? A 40 footer will top out at 8+ knots - nowhere near 10 knots - if properly powered...

Vacuum switch? I've replaced mine before.

I have installed Vacuflush systems on the majority of boats I've built since the late '80s. I've unclogged them numerous times. Here's how I do it: 1. Turn off water. 2. Get a long screw driver, wooden dowel or similar. 3. The VF has a 3/4" orifice at the toilet valve. The remainder of the...

In all the cruising yachts I've been involved in since my first large boat venture, Florida Bay Coasters, to the present day, we have ONLY installed AC refrigerators, from 5 cubic feet through 21 CF, run on inverters (Heart , Trace , Xantrex , Outback). I find the design, engineering...

Regardless of the name/builder, I'm assuming it's from the same set of molds?

Buying a steel plate to heat up so you can then heat up an old pot or pan is missing the point - the value of having an induction cook top in the first place is to use less energy with the added benefit of not having a hot cook top keeping burns to a minimum. My guess is by the time you've...

Box Keel Cruiser This concept was not as lean - 7' beam at the WL - 39'6" LOA and LWL - ratio is 5.65:1 - not exceptionally narrow. But sized for shipping by standard 40' container. The box keel is the width of the walkway and approximately 14" deep. Total draft under 24". Designed with...

I am assuming Boomerang is a Vega 30 motor sailor? I can't tell you how much I lusted for that boat decades ago. I may still have the paper brochures tucked away somewhere. How many were built? Love the Navy top on the bridge. Handsome.

I designed a box keel sailboat years ago - the Peep Hen - a micro cruiser 14' x 6' - and built well over 100 units. Most likely my favorite project. More recently I designed an expandable box keel motor boat, the longest of which has not dissimilar dimensions to your suggestion. I'll dig it...