New Boat 4 Sled

[sleddog]

While PACIFIC GRACE made her entry, WILDFLOWER was overtaken by the 1899 Bristol Pilot Cutter CARLOTTA, under full sail. I hadn't seen CARLOTTA since Canoe Cove in early June. Was HW Tillman still preserved below? CARLOTTA was just in from being named Best Restoration at the Victoria Wooden Boat Festival. Looking good would be an understatement.

The cool thing about the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is every entry has a story. I just ran across the first photo of CARLOTTA, under full sail, taken by Beken of Cowes in 1917.

At 1220, WILDFLOWER was summoned into Point Hudson by Dan the Festival Harbormaster. We took our slip just astern of Mike Higgins' beautiful catboat JEAN ALDEN from Palo Alto. Mike said this was his 10th PTWBF and he had the Festival participation flags to prove it.

I spent the afternoon watching the basin fill up. A nearby sign summed up what was happening: "We're all here because we're not all there.."

 

[sleddog]

For Alan H: Nearby to WILDFLOWER at the Boat Festival was James McMullen's Arctic Tern Skerry ROWAN. James, emerging from under his boom tent, came over to WILDFLOWER for coffee, and we talked about you, Alan. James said for you "to get your ass up here.."

ROWAN, despite her small size, was a gathering point for many on the dock. I suspect part of the attraction was ROWAN's dinghy, all of 3' long, which held 4 junior kegs of beer.

James and ROWAN figured in some of the best boat handling of the Festival. During the Sail By, in front of hundreds of spectators, somehow the beer dinghy, being towed astern, came adrift.

In 20 knots of wind, James jibed his yawl, then jibed again. Deep in the surfline, James plucked his beer dinghy's bow line and towed her to safety. Save the beer. Well done, James.

 

[sleddog]

Part of the pleasure of Port Townsend is visiting with friends, new and old. I attended the Lifetime Achievement awards ceremony honoring Sam Devlin and Carol Hasse, It was held upstairs at the new Northwest Maritime Center, overlooking the harbor, and below was the dinghy beach, renamed in Carol Hasse's honor.

Sam and Carol were founders of the Wooden Boat Festival 36 years ago, and have been active in support ever since. Sam, of Olympia, WA, builds (416 to date) "whimsical" designs, sail, power, and row, using the stitch and glue method and modern epoxy technology. The popularity of Sam Devlin's boats was evidenced at PTWBF by more than a dozen of his designs on display in what he jestfully called the "Devlin Ghetto."

Carol Hasse's beautiful Folkboat LORRAINE has also been displayed at the Boat Fest every year since 1979. Carol is a sailmaker in Port Townsend and spins gold by sticking to traditional methods of construction that helps her quality sails withstand the tests of time.

Carol, a founding board member of the Wooden Boat Foundation, for over 30 years has given back to the community with lectures on all aspects of sail making, as well as Safey at Sea Seminars, and sail training for women and youth.

During the awards for Sam and Carol I glanced around the packed room. There was Jim Brown and Meade Gougeon, founding Fathers of modern wood boat building methods. To my left was John Guzzwell of TREKKA, to my right was Jay Benford. Nearby sat Lin and Larry Pardey, also Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

Congratulations and Well Done, Carol and Sam!

 

[sleddog]

There were over 300 boats on display at PTWBF, and the majority of them were small craft, 26' and under. Almost all had solved typical small boat issues in unique and creative manner. Several rowing craft had fitted the Gig Harbor Forward Facing Rowing System http://www.ghboats.com/options/accessories/forwardrow/

There were several electric propulsion systems in use. Chesapeake Light Craft had caravaned a fleet of their fine kayaks and rowing shells out from Annapolis.

The original Colorado River Running boats from the 1950's were there, all beautifully restored. The queen of this fleet, the SUSIE R, even had a forward facing "rumble seat" for riding the rapids, which during those early years had no dam control.

The kids were building boats at their model boat school. Dan Newland, 3x SHTP winner, joined the fun and has built a sexy Radio Control racing boat, looking just like the big PEGASUS XIV. I asked Dan, who had been up until midnight finishing his new RC boat, what the name of his new craft was. "PEGASUS.XIV" he replied without hesitation.

Small was happening all over Port Townsend. At one point a 6 year old kid dressed in a pirate's outfit and rubber sword walked up to WILDFLOWER and said, "Mister, can I come aboard and take over your boat?" I replied that he was certainly welcome. Aboard he came, and as he peered below, the same kid says again, "Mister, I'm going to take over your boat!"

 

[sleddog]

I made a quick trip Sunday to LA for a memorial for George Griffith, who died at sea last week at 91 aboard his beloved ULDB powerboat SARISSA, surrounded by his family while on a passage back from Catalina.

George was an inspiration for many and is perhaps best known as the Father of the Cal-40.

Early on, George was interested in speed and design of boats. He built his first boat in 1930 at age 9. During WW II he was charged with surveying destroyers to ensure they were capable of max speed.

In 1941, George skippered his 45' cutter PAJARA in the Transpac, and until his recent passing, remained Transpacfic Yacht Club's and LAYC's most senior member. "It just means I've lost a lot of friends," George recently remarked.

Early on, George understood the value of keeping a boat light. I first met George as an 8 year old in 1953, when our families were building two Lapworth 36's side by side at Chapman and Kalayjians yard in Costa Mesa.
We flipped a nickel, and the Griffith's CASSANDRA assumed sail #1, HOLIDAY was #2. The racing record of these two boats helped put the young Bill Lapworth on the map. The nickel went under CASSANDRA's mast.

Although Lapworth's name is on the plans, it was really George Griffith who fathered the Cal-40. George personally shaped the flaired "surfing" bow, and insisted on a mast a foot taller and spade rudder. He promised Jensen Marine 10 orders and took delivery of hull #1, PERSEPHONE in 1964. Griffith also crewed on PYSCHE, Cal 40 #3, when she won the 1965 Transpac, and started a new era of surfing to Hawaii. This influence continues right up to present day with the resounding win of the Cal 40 GREEN BUFFALO in this year's 2012 SHTP.

Besides his sailing legacy, George Griffith leaves behind his lovely wife of 62 years, "the Light of My Life," Millie Griffith.

In a fitting send off, members of LAYC gave George a 21 gun salute, pooping 21 bottles of champange simultaneously.

Kimball says it all much better than I: http://blueplanettimes.com/?p=9815

 

[sleddog]

While waiting for the George Griffith ceremony to begin, I perused the back walls of LAYC in San Pedro. There was an old framed piece of paper, answering a question I never thought to ask:

"What was the first toll paying vessel to transit the Panama Canal?"

The answer was right there on the piece of paper. The 60' yacht LASATA, owned by LAYC Commodore Morgan Adams, had the distinction of being the first toll paying vessel to begin transit of the Canal on August 14, 1914. The framed piece of paper was LASATA's admeasurement and receipt, which showed Commodore Adams payed $57.60 for his 48 ton ship.

Adams, a gifted navigator, was on a voyage from Jacksonville, Florida to Los Angeles and surprised Canal authorities who had expected a much bigger ship to be their first customer.

During WW I Adams served as navigator of the battleship OREGON, and commander of the torpedo boat FARRAGUT.

Morgan Adams later won the 1930 Transpac with his 136 foot schooner ENCHANTRESS. His navigational skills exceeded his weather skills when ENCHANTRESS, sailing rhumb line, reeled off 759 miles in the first three days of Transpac, only to run smack into the Pacific High where they drifted along for the next week, barely making 100 miles/day.

 

[AlanH]

It's been about 6 years since I got up to the Festival. It's a serious "happening" and I loved every minute of it. That year, the high point for me was crawling around in John Guzzwells "Trekka", which is now at the Victoria Maritime Museum, I believe. Also in attendance was his re-think of the design, which he built as a cutter. The boat was cold molded, but not epoxied...he used a different adhesive. The boats name is "Dolly", he built it for his wife and there was an extensive Wooden Boat article about it, in the early 90's. What an absolutely lovely little boat. It's since been sold and the new owner brings it every year.

Back then I was quite all agog about Sam Devlins designs, and so spent a lot of time looking around at examples. That was the year of the Port Townsend 15, a performance dinghy with a carbon fiber gaff rig. A number were built as projects at the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building. I also went to a Brion Toss workshop on splicing wire rigging and sat in as one of his journeymen showed us how to splice a wire eye. That's probably not something I'll ever do, but it was sure interesting. I went to a couple of design forums that were held in Carol Hasse's sail loft, too. All in all, that was an absolutely magical three days, and I would love to do it again. We stayed with good friends Jack and Elizabeth. Jack was doing CAD work for one of the local big yards, but since then has scored the ultimate....a teaching job at the school. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

If I'd done a slightly better finish job on Vingilothiel, I could rep for CLC up there, which would be a kick.

The James is right...I DO need to get up there for the show, again!

The wooden boat forum has several picture of the beer pram! I think I NEED one!!!

 

[AlanH]

There were over 300 boats on display at PTWBF, and the majority of them were small craft, 26' and under. Almost all had solved typical small boat issues in unique and creative manner. Several rowing craft had fitted the Gig Harbor Forward Facing Rowing System http://www.ghboats.com/options/accessories/forwardrow/

There were several electric propulsion systems in use. Chesapeake Light Craft had caravaned a fleet of their fine kayaks and rowing shells out from Annapolis.

The original Colorado River Running boats from the 1950's were there, all beautifully restored. The queen of this fleet, the SUSIE R, even had a forward facing "rumble seat" for riding the rapids, which during those early years had no dam control.

The kids were building boats at their model boat school. Dan Newland, 3x SHTP winner, joined the fun and has built a sexy Radio Control racing boat, looking just like the big PEGASUS XIV. I asked Dan, who had been up until midnight finishing his new RC boat, what the name of his new craft was. "PEGASUS.XIV" he replied without hesitation.

Small was happening all over Port Townsend. At one point a 6 year old kid dressed in a pirate's outfit and rubber sword walked up to WILDFLOWER and said, "Mister, can I come aboard and take over your boat?" I replied that he was certainly welcome. Aboard he came, and as he peered below, the same kid says again, "Mister, I'm going to take over your boat!"

HA!~ classic. If you saw a tall, brown haired and brown-bearded, quiet-spoken fellow working at the kids model boat table, that's my friend Jack. Elizabeth was surely running here and there, taking pictures. They have both volunteered at the show for years and years...probably almost 20 years, now. Jack and Elizabeth are quite involved with the Schooner "Adventuress", as well.

I see that you got a picture of a John Welsford "scamp". This boat is currently the topic of a huge amount of over-the-top devotion from guys who wish to cruise the 11 foot, cuddy-cabined, standing-lug rigged plywood lapstraker, hither thither and yon. I'm curious what your thoughts are, now that you've seen one.

 

[BobJ]

Now that you've cruised around Puget Sound and environs in the little cat - I'm curious what changes, if any, you want to make.

 

[sleddog]

I'm guessing we cruised about 700 miles and visited 30-35 harbors and anchorages. Likely we motorsailed 80% of the time at .3 gal/hour. The most wind we saw underway was 20-25, and we reefed twice. The most water we anchored in was 35', but usually much less, maybe 10' at low water. Mosquitos were evident in only one anchorage, Prideaux Haven.

The biggest surprise was the amount of floating eel grass and kelp. We kept the daggerboard raised 90% of the time, and often kicked up the rudder every 15 minutes or so.

The design and construction of WILDFLOWER proved excellent. Nothing came unstuck, although we did blow out a 30 year old spinny in 20 knts. TWS. Despite continual lookout, we did hit considerable flotsam and jetsam, often small pieces of wood disguised as kelp. It would go "bang," but I can't find any scratches or damage. Underway, we sighted maybe a dozen large logs that would have caused damage or worse. Most motorboats in the Pac NW carry spare props. We never sailed at night.

I really can't think of anything I would change if we were starting over. Stability was never an issue. The boat carried quite a bit of gear, provisions, fuel and water, and came down to her waterline. Loaded she was 2" deeper than unloaded, and about .5 knot slower on most points. Max loaded speed I saw was 10.8, but we may have gone faster. Average cruising speed for the duration was about 5.5. Our speed instrument was a Velocitek Speed Puck. But we didn't always leave it on because it sucked AA batteries and would go flat in less than 10 hours.

That said, I have a three page list of improvements and fine tuning. We need to fine tune the trailer for ramp launching. I need to become more familiar with rotating the mast. Or I will pin it on centerline. The mast rotation causes some difficulty raising and lowering halyards, as aft pull on the halyard to the winch causes the mast to rotate. (All halyards cleat on the mast.)

The dinghy question remains open. We carried a 9' Avon Redcrest rowing inflatable. It worked well, but did not tow well either on short or long scope. Bringing it aboard and deflating was also a pain. It weighs 50 pounds. Kayaks won't fit, nor will a SUP.

For those who don't know, RAGTIME and MOKU provided a considerable amount of deck gear, fastenings, and line. I am very grateful for this, and it all worked well. Being able to say the deck gear was "recycled" caused interest.

We were continually surprised by cool discoveries aboard WILDFLOWER and how she performed. The MVP, a big surprise, was John Foster's below deck, bridge deck, ocean hatch. We called it the "Aquarium." Another surprise was how well behaved she was towing behind the car. Despite 8'6" highway legal beam, viz down both sides of the car and boat with the standard rearview mirrors was excellent, and I was never surprised with a blind spot.

What didn't work? Well, the "quality" Stan Sport propane camp stove really was a piece of Chinese crap. The stainless rusted, the paint peeled, the ignitor spring flew out, the plastic control knobs cracked off......The Petit Vivid white bottom paint was also a loser. Antifouling was poor. And any water pollution stuck to the waterline, causing an oily black ring around the bathtub.

I hope to have WILDFLOWER in the Bay Area (Brickyard?) during October, and invite any/all SSS supporters for a sail.

 

[BobJ]

"I really can't think of anything I would change if we were starting over."

That's a great report and a testimony not only to the design, but also to the experience of the owner/builder.

Regarding white bottom paint, this is our first in-the-water season with Micron CSC in Shark White. An unscheduled mid-season haulout provided a chance to see how the paint was holding up. Answer = not that well compared with the white Trilux 33 we'd had for 5-6 seasons (re-applied about every 18 months). The entire forward section of the rudder was bare and there were thin spots elsewhere on the hull and keel. A diver has cleaned the Micron every six weeks or so, I'm told with a cloth diaper. The Trilux was perhaps a bit softer yet seemed more resistent to scrubbing and had better anti-fouling ability. Trilux isn't copper-based so the paint didn't turn green around the waterline. Lastly, you can buy it in an aerosol can so you can touch up the paint more easily when hauled out. If I had to decide today, I'd switch back to Trilux. (Vivid, Micron CSC and Trilux 33 are the only three white bottom paints I know about.)

Rags' inflatable is the smallest Achilles, and it weighs about 35 pounds. I haven't used it much - mostly for the visit to Hanalei in 2008. It is fairly compact - maybe I can remember to bring it by while you're in town so you can play with it.

Is WILDFLOWER up for a visit to Vallejo on Oct 6-7 (The SSS Vallejo 1-2)?

 

[AlanH]

I'm guessing we cruised about 700 miles and visited 30-35 harbors and anchorages. Likely we motorsailed 80% of the time at .3 gal/hour. The most wind we saw underway was 20-25, and we reefed twice. The most water we anchored in was 35', but usually much less, maybe 10' at low water. Mosquitos were evident in only one anchorage, Prideaux Haven.

The biggest surprise was the amount of floating eel grass and kelp. We kept the daggerboard raised 90% of the time, and often kicked up the rudder every 15 minutes or so.

The design and construction of WILDFLOWER proved excellent. Nothing came unstuck, although we did blow out a 30 year old spinny in 20 knts. TWS. Despite continual lookout, we did hit considerable flotsam and jetsam, often small pieces of wood disguised as kelp. It would go "bang," but I can't find any scratches or damage. Underway, we sighted maybe a dozen large logs that would have caused damage or worse. Most motorboats in the Pac NW carry spare props. We never sailed at night.

I really can't think of anything I would change if we were starting over. Stability was never an issue. The boat carried quite a bit of gear, provisions, fuel and water, and came down to her waterline. Loaded she was 2" deeper than unloaded, and about .5 knot slower on most points. Max loaded speed I saw was 10.8, but we may have gone faster. Average cruising speed for the duration was about 5.5. Our speed instrument was a Velocitek Speed Puck. But we didn't always leave it on because it sucked AA batteries and would go flat in less than 10 hours.

That said, I have a three page list of improvements and fine tuning. We need to fine tune the trailer for ramp launching. I need to become more familiar with rotating the mast. Or I will pin it on centerline. The mast rotation causes some difficulty raising and lowering halyards, as aft pull on the halyard to the winch causes the mast to rotate. (All halyards cleat on the mast.)

The dinghy question remains open. We carried a 9' Avon Redcrest rowing inflatable. It worked well, but did not tow well either on short or long scope. Bringing it aboard and deflating was also a pain. It weighs 50 pounds. Kayaks won't fit, nor will a SUP.

For those who don't know, RAGTIME and MOKU provided a considerable amount of deck gear, fastenings, and line. I am very grateful for this, and it all worked well. Being able to say the deck gear was "recycled" caused interest.

We were continually surprised by cool discoveries aboard WILDFLOWER and how she performed. The MVP, a big surprise, was John Foster's below deck, bridge deck, ocean hatch. We called it the "Aquarium." Another surprise was how well behaved she was towing behind the car. Despite 8'6" highway legal beam, viz down both sides of the car and boat with the standard rearview mirrors was excellent, and I was never surprised with a blind spot.

What didn't work? Well, the "quality" Stanhope propane camp stove really was a piece of Chinese crap. The stainless rusted, the igniter spring flew out, the plastic control knobs cracked off......The Petit Vivid white bottom paint was also a loser. Antifouling was poor. And any water pollution stuck to the waterline, causing an oily black ring around the bathtub.

I hope to have WILDFLOWER in the Bay Area (Brickyard?) during October, and invite any/all SSS members for a sail.

Very interesting......and good. If the only significant issue was the propane stove and the antifouling paint, I think you did pretty darned well!

 

[sleddog]

RAGTIME questions: Is WILDFLOWER up for a visit to Vallejo on Oct 6-7 (The SSS Vallejo 1-2)?

Well now. It had not occurred to me until mentioned. Why not sail to Vallejo and introduce WILDFLOWER to you? I wouldn't be racing. The foiling "S" daggers are still under construction, as is the 4 element wing .... Thus we've no stinkin' rating, among other things. But I'd be glad to unofficially shadow the fleet and be your beer boat at the finish.

That is, IF Alan H agrees to bring his Skerry to Vallejo to see if she (he) meets our collective approval, and to see IF
Alan really can fit aboard with his pipes and caber. That's a big IF. But he's a big boy.

 

[Travieso]

That would be a treat.

 

[sleddog]

It is sobering to see video of large cement dock from Tsunami floating north of Molokai.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/170624986.html
Hitting that thing would spoil one's day. Hawaiian fishermen are concerned, but local CG are unsure what to do. It's sister washed ashore at Agate Beach in Oregon and became an instant tourist attraction.

On a lighter note, what happens to a video camera at St.FYC when a seagull flies off with it at sunset is recorded here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RArofHji8CU

 

[sleddog]

If one only does one race/year, Lake Tahoe's Fannette Island Race is a sure bet to provide good competition, a challenging course, and spectacular scenery. The windward mark on the 13 mile course rounds a fabled stone mini-castle on Fannette Island at the head of Emerald Bay. The challenges include random circular and nearly vertical component wind gusts descending from nearby Mt. Tallac. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emerald_Bay.jpg

Yesterday's race with good friends Viola and Denis on their Moore 24 AIRBORNE was no exception. Denis did foredeck, I was midships, and Viola drove. Lake Wind Advisories were flying, and we had 15-18 knots from the SW at the start. Most of the 15 boats were flying #3's, and some were reefed.

First mark was a close fetch to Taylor Creek. 25 knot gusts at times knocked down competitors, and several "auto-tacked." At Taylor Creek, the two Express 27's led, we were third, and another Moore, Lynn Wright's APRES SKI and the Melges-24 ZOOM ZOOM were nipping at our heels. The smaller boats had started 5 minutes ahead, and were also nearby, including a Santana 22 with Steve Katzman, a Ranger 22, a Santana 20 and some others.

From Taylor Creek we reached two miles to the entrance of Emerald Bay. Some attempted port pole spinnakers with mixed success. The gusts were well forward and in the high 20's. I saw the bottom of at least one of the Express 27's keel. The Melges 24 briefly had their spreaders in the water.

The entrance channel into Emerald Bay is tight, five lengths wide and bounded by submerged granite boulders visible in the clear water. This is where the stern-paddle-wheeler MS TAHOE QUEEN always seems to converge to make things even more exciting. Yesterday was no exception, and I'm sure several competitors had their hearts in their throats as the TAHOE QUEEN appeared on schedule, and alternately went from full speed to dead stopped, and then back to full speed.
http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/La...eQueenSightseeingLunchDinnerCruisesPhotos.cfm

The two mile beat up to Fannette Island featured winds 10-25 knots, with 30 degree instant shifts coming down the granite cliffs. I'd rigged our #3 sheets two part, so we could tack without using a winch. We got passed by Lynn, and caught by WIND DANCE the SC-27, and a J-22. You can round Fannette Island either way, and there seemed to be no "right way." The swirling winds saw boats side by side, going the same way, on opposite tacks.

Running back out Emerald Bay, the two Express 27's, EAGLE and EXPRESSWAY and the Melges continued to lead. We jibed the spinny several times in 20 knots of wind. Several boats, including EXPRESSWAY, went belly up for extended periods in big puffs. At the Emerald Bay entrance, there again was the TAHOE QUEEN, its upper decks lined with tourists enjoying the show. Can you ask for "sea room" on a paddle-wheeler cruise ship? ;-)

The beat back to Taylor Creek favored the starboard board and there we all set spinnys for the 3 mile run to "R" mark down by S. Shore's casinos. Some big blasts came along and the Moore 24's were planing gaily along. I thought surely our well worn spinnaker would burst. One puff caught the J-80 HOT ROD and ourselves side-by-side. Before their sprit came into our cockpit, their asso wrapped, allowing us to pull ahead. Nearby boats later reported a steady 13-14 knots of boat speed.

We rounded "R" mark two lengths behind Lynn and knew we were in the hunt. Halfway up the final beat we caught Lynn, forcing her about. But then she made two nice tacks into favorable shifts, and beat our wet butts to the finish by three lengths. Well done Lynn!

It was an exhilarating day to be sailing. For anyone desiring a fresh water, mountain sailing experience, I recommend Windjammers Yacht Club's Fannette Island Race, the third Sunday in September. There are always crew positions open in the fleet as most, like ourselves, were racing short handed. And the post-race party is a hoot. Sea stories at 6,000 feet.

 

[AlanH]

Tempting. I really have been missing my SSS sailing. Every time I drive over the Bay Bridge, I look down and remember. Ah, well. Someday, again.

Unfortunately on October 6th I have commitments. My band has a gig from 12:00 - 3:00 and we're going to see Don Byron at SF Jazz that night.

 

[sleddog]

In the "All Things Lost and Found" story department, we admired Ruben and Ronnie's ocean retrieval of BELA BARTOK.

Then on 9/21 we saw a seagull fly off with some lady's video cam, only to land with its booty at the St.Francis Yacht Club.

Continuing in this vein, there is currently a real "Aw Shucks" story of launching a 4 year old kid's model train engine into Space. Stanley went up 18 miles over Tracy before he parachuted back to a corn field. Like BELA BARTOK, Stanley's recovery was aided by a GPS transponder. A train in space is not the Blue Angels over the City Front. But the story is just as good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoMN-zg7r3M

 

[Libations Too]

Many thanks Skip for the very engaging account of your adventures with your new Wildflower. I've been following your reports all summer and it is some of the best armchair sailing I have done in a long time. Thanks again!

A technical question: can you give a review of your solar panel mount design, hardware selection, and performance? I have been thinking of adding a small panel to Libations and want to find a mount that is secure and yet allows repositioning to suit conditions. It looks as though yours allows panel stowage in a vertical position and can be adjusted to accommodate various sun angles when needed. Your review and thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[sleddog]

Richard,
Thankyou for your kind comment and question regarding WILDFLOWER's solar panel.

My panel was the first solar panel made for yachts, back in 1976. It was the sole source of charging aboard WILDFLOWER for the first SHTP in 1978. That it still works is a source of amusement in this day and age.

The panel is quite heavy, and with its frame and mounts, even heavier. But the price was right. A problem with this panel is that any shade renders it inoperative. It must be in clear sun. Even the shade of the thin line of the backstay puts it offline. Again, I don't care. But that would be the first question I would ask: “does the solar panel still put out if partially shaded?” If the answer is “no,” suggest looking elsewhere.

My panel is adjustable side to side. When aimed directly at the sun in a clear sky, it puts out 1 amp. Less than half that when tilted 45 degrees away from direct.

The panel is wired directly to the group 27 battery. No regulator or reverse diode. I don't believe with this size panel you can overcharge. To test the panel charging, I touch the alligator clips of the two wires to my tongue. It is also a good way to wake yourself up when groggy.

The panel is gimballed off the starboard stern pulpit, and can go from horizontal to vertical. I put the longer side inboards, so zealous neighbors don't rip it off when blowing their docking manuver. (see photos.)

The panel is secured to an aluminum frame I built from scraps. To the bottom of this frame two white thumbscrew friction clamps are attached. These clamps may or may not still be available commercially. I see them occasionally at swap meets. But they are not listed in the West Catalogue. I have the thumbscrews cinched tight, and the panel swivels side to side only when I push down firmly on one edge.

If you are going offshore, I recommend the panel also be secured with a safety leash. A pooping wave will often dislodged a panel, especially the bigger ones. I had one waterski astern for 10 minutes, and when retrieved, it continued to function.

Hope this helps.