Can you hand stitch flexible solar panels to bimini's successfully and do you need packers under the panel to gain airflow to keep the panel cool?

I lost my Bimini canvas and several canvas covers from my cockpit during the storm a week ago. I'm about the remake a Bimini and put flexible solar on it. I currently have rigid panels on my davit but I want to remove the weight from the ends of the boat, so I'm going to remove the davit and panels.

My plan is to buy the two biggest panels I can fit to my 3 bow Bimini,

Sunman eArc 310W with eyelets, 5kg
Sunman eArc 175W with eyelets 3kg.

Anyone have experience with this brand, and have you stitched the panel to the canvas before.
Any pointers for a better set up?

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EastCoastSail said..
Can you hand stitch flexible solar panels to bimini's successfully and do you need packers under the panel to gain airflow to keep the panel cool?

I lost my Bimini canvas and several canvas covers from my cockpit during the storm a week ago. I'm about the remake a Bimini and put flexible solar on it. I currently have rigid panels on my davit but I want to remove the weight from the ends of the boat, so I'm going to remove the davit and panels.

My plan is to buy the two biggest panels I can fit to my 3 bow Bimini,

Sunman eArc 310W with eyelets, 5kg
Sunman eArc 175W with eyelets 3kg.

Anyone have experience with this brand, and have you stitched the panel to the canvas before.
Any pointers for a better set up?

You would have to wonder how long they would last as effectively they are flapping in the breeze with probably thousands of flexes one way and then the other per day.

Yes, on my last boat I had a cheap flexible panel and it only lasted 12 months.

I was thinking using old battens stuck with VHB tape on the bottom to reduce flexing and gain airflow. Intention is to remove the panel and put it under a bunk mattress if a big blow is forecast.

As a side note on my trailer sailer I have two RIGID 120 watt panels. I bought one and then when I bought the second one of a different make and model (although still 120 watts) I was amazed at the weight difference.

Can't remember the make of the first one but the second one was an Atem panel boasting tiled technology.

If in the end you decide that flexible is not the way to go it's worth shopping around to get the lightest possible rigid panel.

Having said that mine are quite long thin panels and I did decide to reinforce both of them with small square section aluminium to prevent flexing when bouncing over/ dropping off waves. That is more of function of my lifeline mounting however and probably wouldn't apply if a rigid frame or deck was the supporting platform.

Why don't you get rigid panels and make a Bimini from them? That's what I did on my keel yacht. Just keep in mind that every inch further down and further forward is a dynamic benefit. I have two house size panels mounted longitudinally just clear of the end of the boom with the back stay going down between them.They don't wear out like canvas does either :)