63urban, "And if as a cruiser it's more about getting there comfortable than in a hurry I think we are getting close."
That sounds good, but it may get you killed. I am on a sailboat that averages 5 -7 knots, so every move I make (or don't) has to be carefully calculated with an eye to the weather.
To really work, a solar powered system needs to be able to produce 10 hp for a 24 hour period. That is 7500 watts an hour for 24 hours or 180Kw. . . That is almost trivial for any engine (or sail) and a complete show stopper for a solar powered system.
$15k will get you a new Yanmar diesel complete with a sail drive, capable of putting out 30 hp almost indefinitely, anytime it is needed.
I bet you might be able to come up with a solar system that could do that for what? $300k? But you would need a freighter (ok ok a really big trawler) to carry the solar panels and batteries.
Right now I wouldn't put a solar powered drive system on my boat if it was free. . . .
Talador
For systems on the boat though, even though it doesn't make economic sense, I do like solar and that is how my boat is powered.
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Posted by: taladorwood@yahoo.com.au
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