Solar power panel installation

The location of the original solar panel.  It had never worked while we've owned the Time and Tide.

The original panel was a flexible 10 watt bank of cells that had a pretty decent weather-proofing that would be good for sun and rain but not constantly immersed in water.

This is the fiberglass frame that held down the panel.  Under this was a flat area with weep holes to drain water.  Unfortunately the weep holes would collect "gunk" preventing the drainage of water and the panel eventually shorted out some time in the past (pre-December 2011).

 

Recent installation of a aluminum framed panel in the same location.

The panel is rated at 50 watts and easily keeps up with the refrigeration requirements of the crew on sunny days.  The main reason though is to keep the house batteries "topped off".

Old Glory Watching the Sunrise

Watching the sunrise off the back of the Time and Tide.

Now in 3-D!

Breakfast at Moyia's Bed and Breakfast

Great start to the day :)

Sunrise over Green Turtle Bay

A 180 degree panarama showing the sunrise and the sun hitting the boats on the right side of the photo.  First cold front of the season brought temperatures down to 50F and help create the mists over the water. 

Gold Country

Where I spent my formative years in mining-Round Mountain, Nevada.  When modern mining started here in 1977, I'm sure no one thought it would still be in operation in the next century.  The far side of the pit is ~2 miles away. 

50% Complete on the Battery Replacement

The First Mate thinks the new batteries are "pretty".....the other two batteries connected (Bank 2) were having trouble maintaining a charge by themselves and will be replaced on the next trip.

Let's hope these last for a while.....a bit cumbersome getting down into the Time and Tide.

Pound for pound, about ~50% more energy in these bad boys.

Going Green

Installed the first solar fan on the Time and Tide.  Many of the other boats on the pier have similar fans in place on their hatches.  Should help keep the cabins fresh while we are away.

Routed in the 4.25" hole into the tinted plexi-glass

Simple fit with silicone caulk, gasket and interior trim ring.

A smorgasbord of controls on the bottom allow for air in, air out, solar power, battery power and a LED light.

The Nina and Pinta

We had some full size replicas of the Nina and the Pinta (no clue where the Santa Maria is) "sail" into the marina this past week.  Upon closer inspection, if I was the Captain way back in 1492, we'd still all think the world was flat today.