Travels of "Emma B" (JD powered Helmsman)

[Al]

Durant,

Dont wish to intrude on a wonderful site story. You often mention the solar panel. As we have simlarly laid out boats, I am asking the size of and amperage of your panel(s).
Location of install, and lastly, I am desiring to add a small freezer, couple of cubic feet, and wonder if your size panel(s) would serve to meet these specs:

Voltage power AC (110V/60Hz - 75W / 0.8A) or DC (12V/24V - 4.5A/2.5A Car Lighter Socket)
Wattage: 75 Watts

[Durant F]

Perhaps a new thread on solar would be better?
I’ve done solar for over 10yrs now both at an off grid cottage and on multiple boats.
-you need an “energy Budjet” meaning “how much do you use?”
Lights LED?
Fridge efficiency?
Freezer?
What other 12v draws do you have?
Charging laptop? Cell?
On and on...

Then

You don’t want to run your batteries low...
They will cycle to 60% multiple times
40% and your cutting lifespan significantly
If you need 100amp hours per day... you should have 300amp hours of batteries

Then, based on that, panel size... (and how much sun?)
If you need 100amp hours charged and 6 hours of sun... you need a big panel capable of 15+ amps

So much depends on you..and how you set your boat up and use it.

There is no definitive answer... all depends on your situation

Here is what I know works for me (others may disagree...but let’s start a solar thread, not here)

- one large panel is simpler/better than multiples

-it must...MUST be adjustable so you can angle it for maximum exposure. A small adjustable panel with out perform a much larger fixed panel!

-an MPPT controller is a must as well. So much more efficient!

-set your boat up for lower draw ei: LED everything, charge things while underway, mount your panel for maximum exposure and adjustablility.


I do not expect to be solely on solar out here. The sun is so unpredictable.
My southern sailboat is pure solar and I can be in the hook for weeks.
My solar here is a fully adjustable 165 watt panel with an MPPT controller.
See tonight’s picture.
Tipped forward
Making 6.6 amps later in the day (8+ earlier)
Batteries at 13.6
This was after coming back to the boat after my hike.
I’ve also attached a picture of the panel tipped backwards.
To me, this is critical!
While I can’t “just” have solar out here in this season, I’ll have no need to start my generator tonight or in the morning before I leave. That said, if tomorrow was cloudy, by noon I’d be starting it.

I sailed a boat for 5 seasons, never plugged in, all LED and fridge only with a 215watt panel and 4-105 amp hour gulf cart batteries

I sailed a much larger boat, never plugged in, fridge and nice size freezer, all LED with a 255 watt panel and 4-230 amp hour batteries

Hope this helps

I’d ask that responses or questions are by PM, or a solar thread started.
Thanks

[Durant F]

I started a solar thread as I’m sure others will both have questions and information to share
https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/...tml#post967177

[Durant F]

Underway to Maple Bay Marina as some cold weather is forecast and nice to be plugged in with electric heaters going for a few days. Need fuel as well and their rib dinner is awesome!
Just a beautiful morning out here!

[koliver]

Frank
Sorry I missed you both going in and coming out of Conover.
I am across Houstoun Passage from Conover, a mere mile away. The house with the flag and the view.

[Durant F]

Keith... had I known I would have waved 🤣
Pretty spot!
I headed to Maple Bay knowing a cold night was forecast...
And it was!
-4 cel at 3am (25 f)
Awoke to a nice bright day with frost on the decks and docks.
Snow forecast for tonight
I’m staying here plugged in!

[C lectric]

Originally Posted by Durant F

Has anyone been to Port Browning marina on N Pender Island?

Many times including last September, 2020. Pub was open, the dining room was closed, but seating limited due to Covid.

Stores at the mall REQUIRED masks. It takes us more though than just 5 minutes to walk to the stores from the marina. It is an easy walk , maybe 10-15 minutes unless you run.

We have also anchored out a few times in years past. If you do this just park the dinghy in an out of the way spot that won't interfere with dock moorage.

The stores are very good and the bakery is excellent although this year I did not go but others of our group did.

[Durant F]

Thanks for the Port Browning info 👍

[Durant F]

Feels great to be underway again towards Nanaimo. Left at 7:30 with Dodd’s Narrows timed. So nice that’s its light earlier now..
Nearly flat calm. The world is good...


Pic is leaving Maple Bay at 7:30 and sun peaking out underway later

[Durant F]

Just a bit early at Dodd’s and had a 2 knot push going through. Only a few minor twirls on the other side. Nanaimo basin is flat calm!
Nanaimo seems like a big city after the smaller places..

[Greg S]

Originally Posted by Durant F

Feels great to be underway again towards Nanaimo. Left at 7:30 with Dodd’s Narrows timed. So nice that’s its light earlier now..
Nearly flat calm. The world is good...


Pic is leaving Maple Bay at 7:30 and sun peaking out underway later

Originally Posted by Durant F

Feels great to be underway again towards Nanaimo. Left at 7:30

Ha! LOL.
I came down to the bay this afternoon to see if you wanted a coffee. There you were, gone. Sorry about the poor weather forecast. I feel really let down by the forecasting. They promised me snow! When we didn't get any Sunday morning they promised some for Monday. Cheated! Makes me feel like Charlie Brown kicking the football. Instead we have bulbs sprouting, daffodils rising, no blooms for a few weeks yet though.

All the best to you on the rest of the cruise.

[Durant F]

Thanks Greg
Sorry I missed you this morning.
Coulda had a coffee and bs session before I left.
I was actually looking forward to seeing snow!
Oh well... uneventful trip.
Wednesday looks good to cross so I’ll be headed to Pender Harbour
Was nice meeting you a few times!
Take care

[Durant F]

Was going to cross the Stait of Georgia this morning to Pender Harbour.
Forecast wasn’t too bad but once out, decided to turn back.
Steep little waves with a short period of only 2 seconds...
5 hours of “up down splash up down splash” didnt appeal to me so I’m back tied up in Nanaimo.
Tomorrow’s another day...

While walking, I noticed a rare boat here, a Rosborough 18.
They were built in small numbers just outside of Halufax Nova Scotia.
Seemed odd to see one on the pacific side although certainly a great west coast boat!
You can see the classic “Cape” lines..
I ordered one in 1988 and used it back home on the river for years.
Nice solid little cruiser.

[Durant F]

Couldn’t help but admire this beautiful, classic work boat next door.
There are a multitude of working boats. Several quite attractive, others, particularly newer ones, not so.
To my eye, this is stunning!
Timeless lines.... so well executed.

[Durant F]

Early start yesterday and had a much better go crossing the Strait from Nano er to Pender Harbour. A day can sure make a difference!
Hugged the inside of Newcastle Island and out Departure Bay. Forgot how many marinas there were along that stretch.
Once out, it was t too bad at all. Things can change quickly on that passage as there is a long fetch for waves to build. Luckily, the forecast was correct.

[Island Cessna]

Originally Posted by Durant F

To my eye, this is stunning!

Timeless lines.

To my eye also. The final generation of wooden BC trollers had a timeless classic beauty. Form following function, executed by masters of their trade!

Bill

[Durant F]

Always feels a bit like “home” pulling into Pender Harbour. My first west coast trips were aboard a friend’s trawler out of Pender Harbour. My first haulouts to storage were here. Once I was in and tied, enjoyed a nice walk to the nearby little plaza for some groceries and a bottle of wine. The next day took an extended walk over to where my friend used to Moore his boat and took the wetland boardwalk along the way. Everything felt familiar and there’s a comfort to that. With its little plaza, cafe, small shops and multiple little marinas, Pender is one of my favourite harbours.

[Nomad Willy]

I’ve never liked Pender Harbour. But in the past I’ve used it seldom and only as an anchorage. But you present as a playground it seems I should rush back.

I remember the store and town (only near the store), the boat shop and a high end restaurant (that we went to w Canadian friends) and the harbour entrance. Next time I’ll explore more.

Thanks to your input I now may like and get a lot more out of Pender Harbour.

[Island Cessna]

Originally Posted by Nomad Willy

I’ve never liked Pender Harbour................I now may like and get a lot more out of Pender Harbour.

Anchor in Gerrans Bay (Whiskey Slough). It is a much more laid back neighborhood than the high end, more densely packed areas. There is a public dock you can dinghy to with road access to the store, plus protected dinghy access to the whole harbor.

[Nomad Willy]

Haha IC,
I’ll look it up.
We rarely run the east side. But perhaps should.
Comox to CR is a drag and Nanaimo to Comox isn’t all that interesting.
I don’t even know if I’m going to get north of the Gulf Islands soon if at all.