Moody 47 Solar panels, davits and hydrovane

[Simon Parry]

Dear All
Considering a M47 from 2002 with the usual Simpson giant davits.
I want to fit hydrovane , so it will need to be off centre because of the drop down swim platform.
However I also want to fit a solar array.
Has anyone a M46 or M47 with these davits a hydrovane and a solar arch?
Thanks Simon

 

[Lee Adams]

We have a moody 47 (2001 year} and have a hydrovane fitted off centre and it is fine. We do not have davits or a solar arch but have solar panels on the rear guardrails and Bimini top. I have seen hydrovane fitted with a solar arch as you can get a stubby vane.

 

[Simon Parry]

Hi Lee

Thankyou....what sailing do you do with your hydrovane??

As regards the solar panels on the side rails...what size panels have you managed to get on there, and how are they attached/turned to the horizontal position?

Thanks Simon

 

[Lee Adams]

Simon , we have crossed the Atlantic from the Caribbean to the UK with the Hydrovane and it handled it very well (we only had to hand steer or use the electronic autopilot for a few hours) and this saved a lot amps!

Regarding the solar panels, on each side of the side rails we have 1 x 100w and 1 x 140w, so 480w in total. (we also have 2 x semi flexible panels on the bimini top and 2 x small panels on the rear deck above the aft cabin).

We have had the rear guard rails converted to solid 25mm tubing and use these fittings for the solar panels to the converted guard rails:

NOA - Adjustable Solar Panel Mounts

Ocean Chandlery (formerly Sea Teach), has been based in Emsworth, UK since 1981. UK agents for the Istec Parasailor and Parasail.

www.oceanchandlery.com

Here are a few pics hopefully showing the set up of the rails and the aft deck panels.

 

[Simon Parry]

Simon , we have crossed the Atlantic from the Caribbean to the UK with the Hydrovane and it handled it very well (we only had to hand steer or use the electronic autopilot for a few hours) and this saved a lot amps! Regarding the solar panels, on each side of the side rails we have 1 x 100w and 1 x 140w, so 480w in total. (we also have 2 x semi flexible panels on the bimini top and 2 x small panels on the rear deck above the aft cabin). We have had the rear guard rails converted to solid 25mm tubing and use these fittings for the solar panels to the converted guard rails:

NOA - Adjustable Solar Panel Mounts

Ocean Chandlery (formerly Sea Teach), has been based in Emsworth, UK since 1981. UK agents for the Istec Parasailor and Parasail.

www.oceanchandlery.com

Here are a few pics hopefully showing the set up of the rails and the aft deck panels.

Simon , we have crossed the Atlantic from the Caribbean to the UK with the Hydrovane and it handled it very well (we only had to hand steer or use the electronic autopilot for a few hours) and this saved a lot amps! Regarding the solar panels, on each side of the side rails we have 1 x 100w and 1 x 140w, so 480w in total. (we also have 2 x semi flexible panels on the bimini top and 2 x small panels on the rear deck above the aft cabin). We have had the rear guard rails converted to solid 25mm tubing and use these fittings for the solar panels to the converted guard rails:

NOA - Adjustable Solar Panel Mounts

Ocean Chandlery (formerly Sea Teach), has been based in Emsworth, UK since 1981. UK agents for the Istec Parasailor and Parasail.

www.oceanchandlery.com

Here are a few pics hopefully showing the set up of the rails and the aft deck panels.

Simon , we have crossed the Atlantic from the Caribbean to the UK with the Hydrovane and it handled it very well (we only had to hand steer or use the electronic autopilot for a few hours) and this saved a lot amps! Regarding the solar panels, on each side of the side rails we have 1 x 100w and 1 x 140w, so 480w in total. (we also have 2 x semi flexible panels on the bimini top and 2 x small panels on the rear deck above the aft cabin). We have had the rear guard rails converted to solid 25mm tubing and use these fittings for the solar panels to the converted guard rails:

NOA - Adjustable Solar Panel Mounts

Ocean Chandlery (formerly Sea Teach), has been based in Emsworth, UK since 1981. UK agents for the Istec Parasailor and Parasail.

www.oceanchandlery.com

Here are a few pics hopefully showing the set up of the rails and the aft deck panels.

Simon , we have crossed the Atlantic from the Caribbean to the UK with the Hydrovane and it handled it very well (we only had to hand steer or use the electronic autopilot for a few hours) and this saved a lot amps! Regarding the solar panels, on each side of the side rails we have 1 x 100w and 1 x 140w, so 480w in total. (we also have 2 x semi flexible panels on the bimini top and 2 x small panels on the rear deck above the aft cabin). We have had the rear guard rails converted to solid 25mm tubing and use these fittings for the solar panels to the converted guard rails:

NOA - Adjustable Solar Panel Mounts

Ocean Chandlery (formerly Sea Teach), has been based in Emsworth, UK since 1981. UK agents for the Istec Parasailor and Parasail.

www.oceanchandlery.com

Here are a few pics hopefully showing the set up of the rails and the aft deck panels.

Simon , we have crossed the Atlantic from the Caribbean to the UK with the Hydrovane and it handled it very well (we only had to hand steer or use the electronic autopilot for a few hours) and this saved a lot amps! Regarding the solar panels, on each side of the side rails we have 1 x 100w and 1 x 140w, so 480w in total. (we also have 2 x semi flexible panels on the bimini top and 2 x small panels on the rear deck above the aft cabin). We have had the rear guard rails converted to solid 25mm tubing and use these fittings for the solar panels to the converted guard rails:

NOA - Adjustable Solar Panel Mounts

Ocean Chandlery (formerly Sea Teach), has been based in Emsworth, UK since 1981. UK agents for the Istec Parasailor and Parasail.

www.oceanchandlery.com

Here are a few pics hopefully showing the set up of the rails and the aft deck panels.

 

[Simon Parry]

Hi Lee, fantastic thankyou very much.
Would you by chance have the physical dimensions of the panels on your side rails?
Also, do you have the specs and attachment advice from Hydrovane?
Many thanks Simon

 

[Lee Adams]

Hi Simon and do not have the dimensions, but I would just go for the biggest panels you can fit in the spaces as the large ones we have are Victron 140w models.

Regrading the Hydrovane, their customer support is excellent (as I was very fortunate to get the Hydrovane used and they confirmed it was the new and correct model (VXA2 with the upgraded tube) with the correct brackets etc). Though the set ups are all customisable.

The install was not too bad at all and took 2 of us a few days as a lot of time was spent using dummy tubing etc to get the positions correct.

Here are a few pics of when I installed ours and also here is a link to the Gallery on the Hydrovane website showing Moody fitments.

Galleries Results - Hydrovane

hydrovane.com

 

[Simon Parry]

Thanks for your help.....