Finally
I have some good weather, the early monsoons and gales have
abated
here in Wilmington, NC and Bennett Brothers Yachts is humming
along.
The fine folks here have cleaned the boat's hull below the
water
line, skegs have been caulked and the bottom has new Petit
Trinidad
(dark blue) with a revitalized boot stripe. The boot stripe
had
to be moved for the new water line because of the auxiliary
outboard's
weight. The nearly 300 pound setup plus it's start battery
and
gas tanks is a big load for the aft end. I like having the comfort
factor
for the wife and me but my previous trips never used an
auxiliary
engine, just the electric motors to drive the boat. I look
forward
to the engine removal after these new electric motors and
controllers
have been put through their paces.
(Images at the bottom of this post are terrific complements to the text.)
(Images at the bottom of this post are terrific complements to the text.)
Other
items on the completion list..... the
expanded battery area to
18
batteries, expansion of the PV (solar electric photovoltaic
modules)
to 11, added circuit breakers, wiring and bringing a second
PV
controller on line. Not to mention repainting the fore deck and aft
deck
and the roof. The mounting of the 5 additional PVs has been a bit
nettlesome
because the original layout and clamping hardware created
did
not meet the eyeball test. Although quite functional, the added
PVs
broke the roof line in an unlikable set of jaggies. I have
smoothed
the appearance, which demands I fashion new hardware. There
are
times when I feel the job will never get done but I am
indefatigable
and undeterred.
Most
of the solar electric work is performed at dusk to alleviate my
shadow
messing up the incoming sun/electricity. This might seem
trivial
but one panel set is a series creating 72 volts DC and the
other
panel is series creating 125 volts DC. Prolonged shadows at full
sun
can literally fry a solar cell in a module, not a good idea cost
wise.
So during the strong day sun I use the electricity to saw,
drill,
shape and sand various pieces of wood and heavy plastics to
secure
the battery sets, create additional storage and make mounts for
the
5 added PVs. The added PVs can be taken down and stored inside the
boat
(when not needed on the Erie Canal and non-ocean like conditions).
For
me this is all great fun, thought provoking and exhilarating work.
At
the end of the day I am tired and hungry. The next day is more
problems
to solve. Thus I proceed on the way to getting onto the Great
Loop.
Surprisingly good progress is being made. We'll get there.
The MOG's "Sea Beard" after one year in the water.
The MOG's "Sea Beard" after one year in the water.
A couple of shots as the MOG is temporarily removed from its
natural element.
In the first shot, the Captain surveys the situation as
the MOG is returned again to its rightful place.
Note the bow bumper or "Bowmper"
Solar PV modues laid out on the roof to the bow and stern. Some hardware
changes are required before hook up.
Captain George McNeir looks very much the proud papa.
Note MOG Navy apparel available at mognavystore.qbstores.com
The fore deck gets two coats of grey grit paint as do the aft and side decks.
The new 125 volt DC, 3 pole, circuit breaker for the
5 added PVs atop the roof with the Trace 40 amp
controller to the left and the black
Outback controller to the right.
A bow shot of the painted hull, black 2" wide boot stripe,
and extended Bowmper to protect the bow.
.JPG)
