We have 6 panels, 65 watts each, for a total of 390. These feed to a Blue Sky Energy controller. The controller converts the input voltage to an output voltage that maximizes charging within appropriate limits. These are rather skinny panels. We have not tested them with more than slop, but the rail-mounted ones should stand up okay to a bit heavier boarding waves. The deck-lashed panels are hinged together in pairs and have Marinco connectors at the forward cockpit coaming. These are reasonably waterproof connectors. We take the deck-mounted panels ashore in the winter. I took extra care to assure that the cabling was sized appropriately to keep voltage losses below 3%.

The deck-mounted panels rest on firm foam rubber chocks that can also be removed. There are cutouts for the control lines that run aft to the cockpit.

All the panels our wired in parallel so that if one gets shaded, it does not impact the output of the others. If we're staying put for a while, I often unlash panels and aim them for best output. Sometimes that means resting them on the boom. When swinging at anchor, we don't obsess about it too much. At least some of the panels are out of the shade at any moment. We do have to be careful not to step on the panels. Due to sail track geometry, all of our mainsail furling is done standing on the port side which is kept clear. Compromise, compromise.

We always look to use boat things for several jobs. The starboard aft panel sometimes doubles for a BBQ prep space!