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SWELL
The following is a brief interview with Liz Clark, Captain of the CAL 40
Swell. Liz purchased her boat in Santa Barbara.
Liz hired Above the Waterline to do extensive oufitting of her boat for a Surf
Expedition around the world. She is currently in the South
Pacific. Liz environmental concerns lead her to add a solar array to
her boat.
Here is what Liz had to say about that array:
Where are you now on your sailing adventures?
--French Polynesia
How long ago did you buy your boat?
--Swell was purchased in February 2003
How was electricity generated on your boat when you first bought her?
--Only by the alternator on the main
diesel engine
Why did you decide that you wanted solar panels on your boat?
--As a cruiser, you spend most of your
time disconnected from the electricity at a dock. Solar power is clean, quiet,
and inexpensive after the initial cost.
How did you find out about Above the Waterline?
I saw a sign on one of the posterboards
outside the SB harbor marina gates, and then asked James to make me a grab rail
for my steering station. He had it made and mounted in less than 3 days.
How did you design the solar array for your boat?
-I had cruised before and knew that
solar panels work most efficiently when pointed directly at the sun, thus I knew
that I wanted the panels to be able to rotate to face the sun at many angles.
Plus, with limited space, I decided to use the pole for my davit also, making it
extra strong. I had originally designed them a bit different, but I believe
James' design turned out to be even better than what I had originally designed.
What help did you have with the design of the solar array?
-I told James my fundamental ideas and what I wanted the
panels and pole to do, and he did the rest.
Did you have to reinforce the deck to be strong enough to mount the array on?
-The pole is mounted through the deck,
reinforced, and attached to the hull
How much of your power do you now get from your solar array?
10 amps at full sun
Your solar array is very unique because it articulates around two axis so
that it can point directly at the sun. How much of an advantage is that for
generating electricity?
-That means everything in terms of how
much power your panel actually puts out. Being able to have the panel pointed at
the sun at almost all times of the day means they are giving you full power
throughout the day, not just at high noon.
When you tack or gybe your boat, do you then have to change the position of
the solar array?
-Yes, but generally cruising, you stay
on the same tack for long periods of time so that's never really a problem.
How easy is it to change the position of the solar array?
- It's very easy, just a little push
and voila!
How do you use the davit that is incorporated into your solar array?
-I use the davit to raise and lower my 70
lbs, 25hp outboard engine.
What is your overall opinion of solar on boats?
-Solar on boats is absolutely necessary
if you are cruising--it's quiet, low maintenance, and high-output. If I had to
choose between solar panels and a wind generator, I would choose solar (although
having both would be ideal).
Do you think our culture will someday embrace solar panels for all sailboats?
-I certainly hope so!
Are you planning on adding a wind generator?
-Yes, I want to add a wind generator to
the top of solar post.
What advice can you give to someone considering a solar panel or array for a
sailboat?
-Make sure it can be adjusted to the angle
of the sun and that there wont be many shadows hitting it. The solar
array aboard Swell takes up very little space, is easy to adjust to almost every
sun angle, provides shade in the cockpit, and it's virtually maintenance-free. I
love mine and all the other cruisers are always jealous of it.
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