The Resourceful Sailor — “Sampaguita’s” Solar Solution

Sampaguita, a 1985 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 sailboat, heavily depends on solar power for energy rejuvenation while cruising. From June 2023 to the 2024 New Year, she sailed over 3,700 miles, from the northern end of Canada’s Vancouver Island to the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, always off-grid. Her diminutive size requires many weight and space considerations for long-distance voyaging, and additionally, she operates with minimal and simple systems. Too many bells and whistles are impractical for a boat her size. I deemed solar the most adaptable, lightweight, affordable, and versatile energy solution for her. Not to say I achieved perfection. Cloudy days and a lack of multiple charging systems have proven challenging and required adjustments. But the adage “all boats are a compromise” holds. “You’re going to need a bigger boat” (from Jaws) works for some, but not for Sampaguita and The Resourceful Sailor.

Sampaguita lacks an inboard diesel engine, the go-to power plant for most cruisers. Whatever the latest hype, fossil fuels are still king. The trade-off is increased storage capacity where the inboard engine would be. She does have a 6hp outboard on the transom with a 12-volt, 5-amp charger. I have used this a few times, though it is not ideal for the lithium batteries she carries.

With the outboard engine, a stern-hung rudder, a self-steering wind vane — and propane tanks on the transom — I deemed the extra weight, complication, expense, and space infringement of a hydrogenator and wind generator too much. Sampaguita pushes her waterline, already raised 4 inches when fully loaded for cruising. (Add my weight to the cockpit for further squatting.)

A Flicka 20 is a great sailing vessel. However, the short waterline can contribute to hobby horsing, so every effort is made to keep the weight well distributed and low, with minimal windage, to mitigate unwanted motion. With this in mind, the classic arch, or canopy, for mounting panels over the cockpit was unsuitable. Brackets outboard meant additional hardware obstructing lines, leads, cleats, and access to the other necessary gear, resulting in dangerous overcrowding on a lively, small boat. Rigid panels brought images of the large triangular divots in my forehead their corners would make. There is no dodger to mount a panel, and the hatch and under-boom deck space are too shaded and restricted for permanent mounting.

I decided to use multiple small, 50-watt flexible solar panels temporarily mounted for easy adjustment and mobility depending on the angle of the sun, the boat’s direction, and her tack. Two panels are placed on the deck on either side of the boom with bungees and lightweight lines while sailing.

Continue reading in the August issue.