A simple way to create more cockpit rails
Issue 39 : Nov/Dec 2004
Solar panels are very sensitive to partial shading. Even the thin shadow of a stay falling on one of the cells causes a dramatic reduction in their output. Permanent mountings on top of dodgers, for instance, are quite susceptible to this problem during part of the day.
Rail mountings tend to solve this because they face out and away from the boat. They are also easily adjusted for sun angle, so one can maximize their output early and late in the day. Moreover, rail mountings are fairly inexpensive ($23.49 a pair from one source.)
However, most sailboats have a limited amount of railing space to work with. I came up with an easy and relatively inexpensive solution. Most stanchions are like mine; that is, they are of one-inch tubing and have little taper to them. I purchased four “jaw slides” ($12.99 each) and installed them on my stanchions. I also purchased 1-inch stainless tubing ($39.99).
After cutting the tubing to length, I marked it carefully and took it to my local metal fabricator. He made tabs for both ends, drilled holes in them for the jaws, and welded them on. I threaded the lifelines through the tubing and inserted the tabs in the jaws. The lifelines do not touch the tubing.
I now have the rails to mount the solar panels on. The tubing provides additional strength to the stanchions and is a nice thing to grab onto when stepping into and out of the cockpit.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
