Hard Dodger

For safety and durability, we decided to commission a custom build hard dodger from Fraser Fibreglass, https://fraserfibreglass.ca/services/. The hard top has a foam core and is sandwiched and reinforced with carbon fibre. It has been finished with Awlgrip marine paint, and colour matched to our boat. The construction method guaranteed a lightweight top with great strength.

Solar Panels

Our 104 Watts flexible solar panels from Solbian https://www.solbian.eu/en/4-flexible-solar-panels have been an excellent choice. While the price tag might be a bit higher, the performance and efficiency made up for it. We placed 3 panels on the Hard Dodger and 4 panels on the Bimini for a total of 728 Wat (104 each). Wires running inside the dodger and down in one post closes to the controller. Each panel on the dodger has its own controller to get maximum performance if one or two panels are shaded by the sail or boom.

The panels on the Bimini are wired in series by side, 2 panels port and 2 panels starboard. Each side is on one controller, reduce shading for each side. Controllers are Victron MPPT 75/15 https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-charge-controllers with Bluetooth. Great to review panel performance on a phone or tablet.