The new year has arrived, and so has the boat show. With it comes a fresh look at my checklist—and this year, alternative power is at the top.
Bigger boats often carry generators, and I like the idea. But hauling extra fuel on board isn’t my first choice. At the marina, shore power makes everything easy: coffee, microwave, cooking. But at anchor, you’re on your own. A generator can bridge the gap, but I wanted to explore other options.
From YouTube to the Bimini
After watching a number of YouTube series, I realized you can build a decent setup with lithium batteries and solar panels. Shore power can top off the batteries, and solar can keep them going when you’re away.
I found a pair of 120‑watt flexible solar panels on Amazon. They were inexpensive, and I was skeptical. If I got 100 watts combined, I’d be happy. Sure enough, performance was okay—not great—but they met expectations.
Next came the batteries. I went to AliExpress and found what looked like an amazing deal: 150Ah batteries for $22. Of course, that was the old bait‑and‑switch. By the time you clicked through the options, the real price was closer to $80. Buyer beware. Still, I bought them, and they paired up fine with the panels.
To protect the system, I added a solar controller—again from AliExpress, half the price of Amazon. No free delivery, import charges not clear, but it worked.
Building the System
Installation was simple. I used two‑sided Gorilla tape to fasten the panels to the bimini, ran the wires down into a battery box, and housed the controller and batteries there. All summer, the load on the batteries was solid. I never had to top them off with shore power—solar did the trick.
For now, I’ve kept this system separate from the motor and house batteries. I also added a 2000W inverter, which let me run a number of household items on board. It’s good to know what’s possible.
Looking Ahead
The next step is to combine the batteries into a 24‑volt system and use a DC‑to‑DC charger with a switch to toggle between the house battery and the solar bank. I’m still working out the details, but the important part is this: I now have power without extra gas.
Digital Boat Lesson
“Alternative power isn’t just about saving fuel—it’s about independence. Solar may not be perfect, but it kept me powered all summer.”