February/March 2022 — Table of Contents
On the cover: Pete Grundvig runs stock through the tablesaw in his mobile shop as he builds some new bird’s-mouth-construction spars. The custom shop on wheels allows him and partner Kourtney Patterson to bring all the tools of a brick-and-mortar shop to any yard or project they can drive to. Story on page 62.
Photograph by Kourtney Patterson.
FEATURES
DAVE GERR A powerful solar array. Page 16.
16 Under the Sun
by Dave Gerr
Designing Solaris, the first 100% solar-powered commercial passenger vessel in the U.S.
COURTESY HYDROFIN Installing pontoon foils. Page 32.
32 Elevating Pontoon Performance
by Dieter Loibner
A Texas start-up partners with a prominent California design firm to develop a set of retrofittable foils for the burgeoning pontoon-boat market.
NIGEL CALDER Pushing the amperage envelope. Page 50.
50 Amped Up
by Nigel Calder
Increasingly, high-amperage onboard DC systems exceed the capacities of standard marine-grade electrical cabling and overcurrent-protection devices.
AARON PORTER Shop in a box trailer. Page 62.
62 Going Mobile
by Kourtney Patterson
How we improved efficiency and stopped paying rent by letting go of our brick-and-mortar shop.
DEPARTMENTS
4 Letters, Etc.
Readers comment on the dangers of butt splices in AC systems, and more new uses for old Hobie Cats.
8 Rovings
compiled by Dieter Loibner
A visit to Lake Como’s Museo della Barca Lariana, founded by GianAlberto Zanoletti; Newport Yacht Builders’ efficient approach to custom yachts in the age of affordable 3D scanning and CNC routers; and the end of Trump-era European tariffs on U.S. boats.
45 Task Sheet: Ground Plate Installation
by Steve D’Antonio
An experienced systems consultant and yard manager shares his preferences and methods for installing ground plates.
76 Parting Shot
by Nigel Calder
The risks and realities of onboard lithium-ion batteries as chemistry, control systems, and installation practices evolve.
READER SERVICES
70 New Products and Processes
71 Connections
73 Classified Advertising
