Advice for mounting a pole at stern for solar?

[jdmuys]

I need to replace the old and ineffective 30W solar panel on my Corsair F-27 trimaran (central cockpit). The current 30W panel is installed on the aft cabin rooftop, above the tiller (and the mount impairs the tiller movement somewhat), and is often partially shaded by the boom.

I want to replace it by a modern and more powerful panel, 100W give or take. It’s dimensions will necessary be (slightly) bigger.

It seems to me the best option might be to install the new panel on a pole at the stern. However, I wasn’t able to find a market solution for a pole to mount there (probably attached to the stern rail).

Where can I look to find a market solution with an affordable price? Can I make one with standard 1” stainless steel tubing? If so, what kind of fitting do I need? Do I need a backplate? What kind of struts do I need from the pole to the stern rail?

I would love pointers/links/names.

Thank you so much and happy holidays.

JD

[tkeithlu]

OK. One 100w on the market is 45" by 20". That's a lot of surface area to support with one pole clamped to a stanchion. It's in the wind. Envision instead four legs, with the legs attached to a plate and the panel attached to the plate near its corners. The legs join the boat at four locations more widely placed. The whole thing could be very short (over the transom, if you have one) or taller and overhead. Probably 1" tubing, aluminum or SS, will do, but now we're getting down to details and I don't know your boat.

[jdmuys]

I finally attached my solar panel directly to the stern rail using rail clamps. This is not as flexible (not really orientable), but this is good enough for my small boat.

[BugzyCan]

Originally Posted by jdmuys

I finally attached my solar panel directly to the stern rail using rail clamps. This is not as flexible (not really orientable), but this is good enough for my small boat.

I have mine mounted on the stern rail as well. Mine is one of the 100w folding panels with the controller built-in. It worked fantastic last Summer.
There are these kinds of mounts that will fit on a 1" stern rail, then you could build it up however you like. They are cheap too.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...5c0b4c4drb0P5F

[PirateGuy]

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