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Re: Solar Panels on Bimini with Split Backstay

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Yes, we had custom panels made to fit around our (oversized) window. We planned the Bimini and panels at the same time but not necessary with the custom panels. I would be glad to answer any questions. They do take some time to be produced so that needs to be in the equation.
Velina?
Second Wind
Sabre 426
Oakland Ca

Velina Barnes

Swiftsure Yachts

2540 Westlake Ave N. Suite?A

Seattle, WA 98109

Office:?206.378.1110?l?Cell:?510.697.1418

?

?

?



On Feb 28, 2025, at 5:57?AM, Allison Lehman via groups.io <allisonleh@...> wrote:

?Brian we have the same problem. ?We were not willing to give up the window in the Bimini for solar. ?I believe Peter and Velina have more solar than we do. ?I suggest you look at Solbian custom panels to see what you can fit there. ?The ¡°custom¡± cost is not exorbitant.?

Allison Lehman
Swiftsure Yachts
allison@...
Cell: 510.912.5800
Fax: 510.860.4640
<PastedGraphic-1.tiff>

On Feb 28, 2025, at 7:38?AM, Nauset Beach via groups.io <nausetbeach@...> wrote:

My main winter project is upgrading the electrical charging system: Part 1 of new alternator / regulator / monitoring is underway. ?Part 2 is adding solar; am on a mooring so shore power charging is limited, and for cruising. ?

?

Has anyone with a split backstay been able to add solar panels to their bimini? ?My bimini has a forward, mid and aft support frame, and several sources advise against having a panel lay fore / aft across a frame member as it creates a flex point which will break down the panel. ?I possibly could fit several 50W panels [presumably wired at least in part in series] but that seems inefficient and higher cost. ??

?

Anyone come up with a solution for bimini solar? ?The dodger is a secondary possibility, but there is more shading, especially when sailing. ?And the wiring access would be more complicated. ?

?

In the archives Jordan mentions having to redesign the bimini frame to get this to work, but that is not something I want to do. ?

?

TIA

Brian

Escapade ?S426

CT / LIS ?

?
?
?

Has anyone with a split backstay?



--
Allison
S426 Kingfisher
SF Bay/Pacifc Northwest

--
Velina Barnes
velina@...
Cell: 510-697-1418

PastedGraphic-1.tiff
?


Re: Solar Panels on Bimini with Split Backstay

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Also we have 2 custom Solbians o the dodger at 98 wats each.

Allison Lehman
Swiftsure Yachts
allison@...
Cell: 510.912.5800
Fax: 510.860.4640
PastedGraphic-1.tiff

On Feb 28, 2025, at 7:56?AM, Allison Lehman via groups.io <allisonleh@...> wrote:

Brian we have the same problem. ?We were not willing to give up the window in the Bimini for solar. ?I believe Peter and Velina have more solar than we do. ?I suggest you look at Solbian custom panels to see what you can fit there. ?The ¡°custom¡± cost is not exorbitant.?

Allison Lehman
Swiftsure Yachts
allison@...
Cell: 510.912.5800
Fax: 510.860.4640
<PastedGraphic-1.tiff>

On Feb 28, 2025, at 7:38?AM, Nauset Beach via groups.io <nausetbeach@...> wrote:

My main winter project is upgrading the electrical charging system: Part 1 of new alternator / regulator / monitoring is underway. ?Part 2 is adding solar; am on a mooring so shore power charging is limited, and for cruising. ?

?

Has anyone with a split backstay been able to add solar panels to their bimini? ?My bimini has a forward, mid and aft support frame, and several sources advise against having a panel lay fore / aft across a frame member as it creates a flex point which will break down the panel. ?I possibly could fit several 50W panels [presumably wired at least in part in series] but that seems inefficient and higher cost. ??

?

Anyone come up with a solution for bimini solar? ?The dodger is a secondary possibility, but there is more shading, especially when sailing. ?And the wiring access would be more complicated. ?

?

In the archives Jordan mentions having to redesign the bimini frame to get this to work, but that is not something I want to do. ?

?

TIA

Brian

Escapade ?S426

CT / LIS ?

?
?
?

Has anyone with a split backstay?



--
Allison
S426 Kingfisher
SF Bay/Pacifc Northwest


--
Allison
S426 Kingfisher
SF Bay/Pacifc Northwest


Re: Solar Panels on Bimini with Split Backstay

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Brian we have the same problem. ?We were not willing to give up the window in the Bimini for solar. ?I believe Peter and Velina have more solar than we do. ?I suggest you look at Solbian custom panels to see what you can fit there. ?The ¡°custom¡± cost is not exorbitant.?

Allison Lehman
Swiftsure Yachts
allison@...
Cell: 510.912.5800
Fax: 510.860.4640
PastedGraphic-1.tiff

On Feb 28, 2025, at 7:38?AM, Nauset Beach via groups.io <nausetbeach@...> wrote:

My main winter project is upgrading the electrical charging system: Part 1 of new alternator / regulator / monitoring is underway. ?Part 2 is adding solar; am on a mooring so shore power charging is limited, and for cruising. ?

?

Has anyone with a split backstay been able to add solar panels to their bimini? ?My bimini has a forward, mid and aft support frame, and several sources advise against having a panel lay fore / aft across a frame member as it creates a flex point which will break down the panel. ?I possibly could fit several 50W panels [presumably wired at least in part in series] but that seems inefficient and higher cost. ??

?

Anyone come up with a solution for bimini solar? ?The dodger is a secondary possibility, but there is more shading, especially when sailing. ?And the wiring access would be more complicated. ?

?

In the archives Jordan mentions having to redesign the bimini frame to get this to work, but that is not something I want to do. ?

?

TIA

Brian

Escapade ?S426

CT / LIS ?

?
?
?

Has anyone with a split backstay?



--
Allison
S426 Kingfisher
SF Bay/Pacifc Northwest


Re: Solar Panels on Bimini with Split Backstay

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I have two panels port and stbd facing bow to stern on the forward part of the Bimini and one across the width of ?back section on my 42.6

On Feb 28, 2025, at 10:50?AM, Robert Hubbard via groups.io <rwhubbard76@...> wrote:

?
Brian,

I put 4 flex panels in on my Bimini (giving me about 270W at peak sun) and a rigid 220 (with a +15% bifacial) panel across my davits. I ran the wires down the Bimini rails and went through the deck with a gland fitting. I originally attached the flex panels to the Bimini with toggles but the panels eventually worked free in a blow, so I had zippers put in and they¡¯ve held well in 60+ winds. Attached are a few photos as food for thought. Good luck.

Cheers -

Bob
S/V Valhalla
¡®89 Sabre 42?
Hull #58


On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 10:39?AM Nauset Beach via <nausetbeach=[email protected]> wrote:

My main winter project is upgrading the electrical charging system: Part 1 of new alternator / regulator / monitoring is underway.? Part 2 is adding solar; am on a mooring so shore power charging is limited, and for cruising. ?

?

Has anyone with a split backstay been able to add solar panels to their bimini?? My bimini has a forward, mid and aft support frame, and several sources advise against having a panel lay fore / aft across a frame member as it creates a flex point which will break down the panel.? I possibly could fit several 50W panels [presumably wired at least in part in series] but that seems inefficient and higher cost. ??

?

Anyone come up with a solution for bimini solar?? The dodger is a secondary possibility, but there is more shading, especially when sailing.? And the wiring access would be more complicated. ?

?

In the archives Jordan mentions having to redesign the bimini frame to get this to work, but that is not something I want to do. ?

?

TIA

Brian

Escapade ?S426

CT / LIS ?

?

?

?

Has anyone with a split backstay?

<IMG_5615.jpeg>
<IMG_5614.jpeg>
<IMG_5612.jpeg>
<IMG_5613.jpeg>


Re: Solar Panels on Bimini with Split Backstay

 

Brian,

I put 4 flex panels in on my Bimini (giving me about 270W at peak sun) and a rigid 220 (with a +15% bifacial) panel across my davits. I ran the wires down the Bimini rails and went through the deck with a gland fitting. I originally attached the flex panels to the Bimini with toggles but the panels eventually worked free in a blow, so I had zippers put in and they¡¯ve held well in 60+ winds. Attached are a few photos as food for thought. Good luck.

Cheers -

Bob
S/V Valhalla
¡®89 Sabre 42?
Hull #58


On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 10:39?AM Nauset Beach via <nausetbeach=[email protected]> wrote:

My main winter project is upgrading the electrical charging system: Part 1 of new alternator / regulator / monitoring is underway.? Part 2 is adding solar; am on a mooring so shore power charging is limited, and for cruising. ?

?

Has anyone with a split backstay been able to add solar panels to their bimini?? My bimini has a forward, mid and aft support frame, and several sources advise against having a panel lay fore / aft across a frame member as it creates a flex point which will break down the panel.? I possibly could fit several 50W panels [presumably wired at least in part in series] but that seems inefficient and higher cost. ??

?

Anyone come up with a solution for bimini solar?? The dodger is a secondary possibility, but there is more shading, especially when sailing.? And the wiring access would be more complicated. ?

?

In the archives Jordan mentions having to redesign the bimini frame to get this to work, but that is not something I want to do. ?

?

TIA

Brian

Escapade ?S426

CT / LIS ?

?

?

?

Has anyone with a split backstay?


Solar Panels on Bimini with Split Backstay

 

My main winter project is upgrading the electrical charging system: Part 1 of new alternator / regulator / monitoring is underway. ?Part 2 is adding solar; am on a mooring so shore power charging is limited, and for cruising. ?

?

Has anyone with a split backstay been able to add solar panels to their bimini? ?My bimini has a forward, mid and aft support frame, and several sources advise against having a panel lay fore / aft across a frame member as it creates a flex point which will break down the panel. ?I possibly could fit several 50W panels [presumably wired at least in part in series] but that seems inefficient and higher cost. ??

?

Anyone come up with a solution for bimini solar? ?The dodger is a secondary possibility, but there is more shading, especially when sailing. ?And the wiring access would be more complicated. ?

?

In the archives Jordan mentions having to redesign the bimini frame to get this to work, but that is not something I want to do. ?

?

TIA

Brian

Escapade ?S426

CT / LIS ?

?

?

?

Has anyone with a split backstay?


Re: Starlink Mini - NC to Bermuda

 

Hi Steve,
?
Yes, you can opt in to an upgrade to priority roam when you get further offshore. It will cost $250.00 for a month for 50 Gb of data. Once you get to Bermuda, if you intend staying there (on a safe mooring) through Hurricane season, you can go back to the regular Roam service. If you are just staying a couple of weeks and then returning, your data will probably have to be used sparingly. Not exactly sure whether you have to wait until the physical month is up to convert the package back, or if you can do it as soon as your data runs out. They are not too clear on the details on the Starlink website.

Fair sailing luck on your trip, I did that trip on a Caluber 40 back in 2010.
?
?
--
Pete Waterson
¡°°ä³ó²¹°ù»å´Ç²Ô²Ô²¹²â¡±
S38-2
Oriental, NC


Re: 85 Sabre 32 About Time_ Water intrusion aka topside leak

 

Check your deck drain elbows. There is one behind the sliding doors above the galley. The plastic elbows crack over time and can be a mystery leak. The water will manifest somewhere nearby. I had water collecting in the bilge when on the hard and could not find the source until I discovered that the elbow had broken on the starboard side under the deck. To be cautious, I reached up above the galley sliders on the port side and the elbow immediately broke of in my hand.The one on the starboard side is readily accessible but the port side required removal of the sliders and the shelf. Its a two man job as someone has to hold the funnel half of the fitting from above as the elbow is thread on to it from below. The original plastic elbows are readily available-if I remember they are Perko-but some others have replaced them with sink fittings.
?
Something to check.
?
Steve Madden
Sojourn
S30-3 1986


Re: Starlink Mini - NC to Bermuda

 

Thanks Dave for the info.
--
Steve Myers
Wind Dancer
1984 Sabre 34-1, #232


Re: Insurance Survey Req - Annapolis

 

Bob,
?
I've been in contact with Will Stahlgren who will be doing a CV survey on my boat this March.? I'm changing insurance so that I can take my boat to the Bahamas this fall; all the insurance companies I've been in contact with who provide coverage in that part of the world required a new survey.? He's been professional and responsive to me thus far.?
?
My boat is on the hard at Herrington Harbour North, so I am sure he cover Deale, MD.
?
His web site is
?
--
Mark Shaffer
Hullabaloo
Chesapeake Bay
362 #266


Re: Starlink Mini - NC to Bermuda

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

There are a couple of options. Switch the expensive global marine roam (or some name like that) or ad the per gig rate once out of coastal waters and cancel it once you reach Bermuda. That¡¯s what I did when crossing from Nova Scotia to Maine. The cost, last time i checked was $2/ gig.?

If you switch to the per gig rate turn off all auto updating on your phones and devices and only turn SL on when you intend to use it. Apparently SL counts all data including necessary overhead as billable. The overhead is the data exchanges between the satellites and dish necessary to maintain the connection.

There are a couple of active FB Starlink groups, one ?is dedicated to boats.


Dave
Second Star
S362 #113
Fair Haven, NY/Lake Ontario

On Feb 27, 2025, at 5:04?PM, Steve Myers - SV Wind Dancer, 1984 S34, Beaufort NC via groups.io <myerssl@...> wrote:

Getting ready to make a trip from Beaufort, NC to Bermuda in early May and was wondering if any one has used Starlink Mini during a similar trip, if so, what type of account you are signed up with?
?
?
I've purchased an SL Mini for my boat and have the basic roam account.? I use it mostly at the slip and when I'm doing coastal cruising to other ports, (Ocracoke, Charleston,...).? It has been working great, but I haven't been out past 50 miles since I got it in January.
?
So far it is working great, but would I would like to use it for weather updates crossing to Bermuda.? Past trip I used Iridium/Predict Wind for this, but ot would be nice to use a faster connection.
?
BTW, also have EPIRB, PLB, InReach for safety.
?
Thanks,
--
Steve Myers
Wind Dancer
1984 Sabre 34-1, #232


Starlink Mini - NC to Bermuda

 
Edited

Getting ready to make a trip from Beaufort, NC to Bermuda in early May and was wondering if any one has used Starlink Mini during a similar trip, if so, what type of account you are signed up with?
?
?
I've purchased an SL Mini for my boat and have the basic roam account.? I use it mostly at the slip and when I'm doing coastal cruising to other ports, (Ocracoke, Charleston,...).? It has been working great, but I haven't been out past 50 miles since I got it in January.
?
So far it is working great, but I would like to use it for weather updates crossing to Bermuda.? Past trip I used Iridium/Predict Wind for this, would be nice to use a faster connection.
?
BTW, also have EPIRB, PLB, InReach for safety.
?
Thanks,
--
Steve Myers
Wind Dancer
1984 Sabre 34-1, #232


Re: 85 Sabre 32 About Time_ Water intrusion aka topside leak

 

Vern -
?
Last season on my Sabre 32 I woke up one morning after a rainstorm to water on the floor in the galley area in 2-3 spots. ?Turned out my companionway hatch cover was leaking, and in multiple areas. ?I removed the hatch cover from the boat, cleaned up all the wood and refinished it with a Spar Varnish, and then reassembled it using BoatLife Life Seal as the sealant. ?After I did that, not a drop. ?Now I am not sure that is where your leak is starting from, but would be worth a look. ?If anything around the companionway hatch cover is wet during a rain storm, then it is leaking. ?For mine water came in from the wooden stop with five screws on it at the top of the companionway.
?
While doing this I also used a Magic Eraser to clean the plexiglass, and boy did it look nice after that.
?
?
?
--
Tim Dokken
1985 Sabre 32 #59
Bayfield, WI


Re: 85 Sabre 32 About Time_ Water intrusion aka topside leak

 

One possibility,? on my Sabre 34-I? ?I had water intrusion from the handrails that traveled down and came out above the chart table.? ? I removed the handrails, opened up the screw holes with a forstner drill bit slightly smaller than the base of the handrail. Dug out all the wet core.? ( just about everything under the handrail)? Aired everything out and then potted the holes with Epoxy.? Re-drilled and re-installed the rails.? Never leaked again.? ?


85 Sabre 32 About Time_ Water intrusion aka topside leak

 

I am attaching a few pics of pesty water intrusion on my 85 Sabre 32.? Apparently this has been going on for some time as the corner under that port side bunk has a rotten area.? To date, I have re-bed the port inside rail track with Catalina Direct Bed IT Butyl tape.? I thought that solved the problem, but no so much.? I can hose down that sail track and no leaks. I can hose down near the starboard windows, no apparent leaks. However, when I hosed down the sliding hatch main entrance water poured inside onto the floor.? I found the ,,, my term,,, stop slide board had pulled lose, I turned it over, re-drilled and bed it with Butyl tape.? That seemed to abate the problem.? Or so I had hoped.
It rains in Mobile AL - a LOT and OFTEN.? I need to fix this big time.? If anyone has ideas on how to isolate this problem I need some help and ideas, please !!!
It seems,,, meaning my guess ,,,, that water is coming in somewhere and traveling to the area where the sail track bolts access holes are located.? Specifically, the 2nd or 3 access hole towards the bow, port side, in front of the galley divider.?
Could it be traveling from the main hatch companionway in-between and seeking low holes to leak out?
Summary: leaks kill sail boats.? No suggestion is unreasonable, I need help.
Pic included - thanks in advance,
Verne Royster
85 Sabre 32 "About Time"
MYC (Mobile Yacht Club)
251.753.5177


Re: Insurance Survey Req - Annapolis

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Re chain plates
We rebedded our chain plates last year before crossing to Hawaii. There were no symptoms except age and we thought it prudent considering the 6 month cruising on open ocean we had planned . It took one day not counting drying time of the life caulk. We waited one day to reattach shrouds and checked bolt torque of the reattached shrouds. ?This gave great peace of mind in the ocean. We were confirmed again of the great design and built of this boat- no dry rot but the old sealant needed renewing. As our boats get older they need proactive love or the age will show up when least desired. ?

Velina
Second Wind
Sabre 426
Oakland, Ca

Velina Barnes

Swiftsure Yachts

2540 Westlake Ave N. Suite?A

Seattle, WA 98109

Office:?206.378.1110?l?Cell:?510.697.1418

?

?

?



On Feb 27, 2025, at 7:47?AM, damian.greene via groups.io <damian.greene@...> wrote:

?
I was early on this thread. Coming back with a word of caution.?

! too got 12 months notice from Geico (to submit the survey by my renewal date in July 2025). Remember it's not just the survey. Geico have to sign off on it, and will want any "significant" items (in their judgment, not necessarily as categorized by the surveyor) rectified?with documentation of repair submitted and approved by Geico, before they will renew the policy. I got the survey done when I hauled the boat last September. Good job too. There was nothing major, but there were a few minor items that I set up to get taken care of over the winter, rather than get down to the wire with having to get these done close to the renewal date.

What threw me - and I may have been unlucky with a particular adjuster - was that Geico added a requirement for removal and dye-penetrant testing of all the chainplates. This without any indication of stress-corrosion cracking. Our chainplates are pretty substantial. That was getting to be a major undertaking. Hence my shift to Progressive.

So bottom line - get your survey done early and submitted to Geico, so you know what you're dealing with.

Damian Greene
Sabre 38-1 Freefall
Bass Harbor ME

==========================?

On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 05:25:04 PM GMT, LRG via groups.io <lgridley@...> wrote:


I had a similar experience with Geico. Hauling is not required and I have until my annual renewal in December to get the survey done. This is the first time in 8 years since I started with Geico that they've required a survey so I'm not too bothered by it.
--
Sabre 38-2 #164

--
Velina Barnes
velina@...
Cell: 510-697-1418

PastedGraphic-1.tiff
?


Re: Insurance Survey Req - Annapolis

 

I was early on this thread. Coming back with a word of caution.?

! too got 12 months notice from Geico (to submit the survey by my renewal date in July 2025). Remember it's not just the survey. Geico have to sign off on it, and will want any "significant" items (in their judgment, not necessarily as categorized by the surveyor) rectified?with documentation of repair submitted and approved by Geico, before they will renew the policy. I got the survey done when I hauled the boat last September. Good job too. There was nothing major, but there were a few minor items that I set up to get taken care of over the winter, rather than get down to the wire with having to get these done close to the renewal date.

What threw me - and I may have been unlucky with a particular adjuster - was that Geico added a requirement for removal and dye-penetrant testing of all the chainplates. This without any indication of stress-corrosion cracking. Our chainplates are pretty substantial. That was getting to be a major undertaking. Hence my shift to Progressive.

So bottom line - get your survey done early and submitted to Geico, so you know what you're dealing with.

Damian Greene
Sabre 38-1 Freefall
Bass Harbor ME

==========================?

On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 05:25:04 PM GMT, LRG via groups.io <lgridley@...> wrote:


I had a similar experience with Geico. Hauling is not required and I have until my annual renewal in December to get the survey done. This is the first time in 8 years since I started with Geico that they've required a survey so I'm not too bothered by it.
--
Sabre 38-2 #164


Re: Insurance Survey Req - Annapolis

 

I had a similar experience with Geico. Hauling is not required and I have until my annual renewal in December to get the survey done. This is the first time in 8 years since I started with Geico that they've required a survey so I'm not too bothered by it.
--
Sabre 38-2 #164


Re: Alternatives to Starlink

 

Starlink and specifically spacex also benefit from being just perfectly fine with a outcome?on their risk board.? Which I suppose would get us a lot closer to Mr. Wilson's preferred, purer voyaging of yesteryear.? ? Personally, I too am a purist -- I only sail with british third sons that I bonk on head at taverns as crew.? It's all been downhill since they figured out antiscorbutics.


On Thu, Feb 27, 2025 at 11:13?AM Peter Tollini via <sabre30=[email protected]> wrote:

Jim
Thanks for the analysis of Starlink's advantage. I had not thought about it before but you are spot on. It's not the hardware or software but the cheap (relatively) reusable and reliable delivery system, which has shown advantages well beyond satellite internet.
Having worked at major hospitals, I also agree with Velina's analogy. I have met brilliant surgeons who are arrogant and obnoxious and others, who were equally brilliant, but humble and gracious. I'll add that since you will be unconcious. their personality or lack thereof doesn't matter unless it interferes with the functionality of their team. Otherwise, only their results matter.??
Pete



On February 27, 2025, at 10:40 AM, "Jim Starkey via " <Jim=[email protected]> wrote:


Lets us not forget that Iridium went bankrupt, which wiped out the $4 billion in debt for startup expenses.? It was bought out of bankruptcy for $25 million.? It announced it was going to de-orbit the constellation but didn't.

What makes Starlink viable SpaceX's very inexpensive launches.? But what makes SpaceX's launches so cheap with reusable rockets.? And what makes the rockets reusable is a family of throttleable liquid fuel engine, which is quite a difficult trick of engineering.

A satellite constellation dependent on non-reusable booster will never be able to compete economically with Starlink.? Don't hold your breath waiting.

Musk didn't invent any of this -- or any of the other technologies in his companies.? He hires damn smart people, gives them minimal funding, and holds their feet to the fire.? He does get in deep enough to understand that critical problems and the possible pathways to solutions then makes his bets.

No matter what you think of Musk, Starlink is human civilization game changer.? It provides communication to remote regions and rural areas, provides instant communications to disaster areas, and without which the Ukrainian army would have collapsed years ago.

On 2/27/2025 12:19 AM, Dan Grossman via wrote:
Iridium. Teledesic never left the drawing board. And a lot of Iridium technology came from national security progams that pioneered LEO satellites.?

On Feb 26, 2025, at 19:58, Tony Billera via <tony.billera@...> wrote:

? Musk was not the first w the idea. ?

Teledesic developed this concept years ago. Costs have declined. ?

Eventually Starlink will run into congestion and rate increases.?

It¡¯s throw away equipment.?

I comprehend the benefits for live and work aboard while cruising.? I¡¯m more interested in the ubiquitous coverage of AST Mobile that will soon be available. ?


Tony

Tony Billera

Please consider the environment before printing this email. Thank you.


On Feb 26, 2025, at 4:19?PM, Pete Waterson via <peterjwaterson@...> wrote:

?
As an emigre I try to keep a tight rein on political opinion, but by the sounds of this thread there is an awful lot of buyers remorse going around right now.
It is the Information Age and Musk has revolutionized access to the Internet. I just wish engineers would stick to engineering!
--
Pete Waterson
¡°°ä³ó²¹°ù»å´Ç²Ô²Ô²¹²â¡±
S38-2
Oriental, NC
--
Jim Starkey, AmorphousDB, LLC


--
Garver Moore
Sabre 28 Mk III # 546
S/V Enthusiast
North Carolina


Re: Alternatives to Starlink

 

Jim
Thanks for the analysis of Starlink's advantage. I had not thought about it before but you are spot on. It's not the hardware or software but the cheap (relatively) reusable and reliable delivery system, which has shown advantages well beyond satellite internet.
Having worked at major hospitals, I also agree with Velina's analogy. I have met brilliant surgeons who are arrogant and obnoxious and others, who were equally brilliant, but humble and gracious. I'll add that since you will be unconcious. their personality or lack thereof doesn't matter unless it interferes with the functionality of their team. Otherwise, only their results matter.??
Pete



On February 27, 2025, at 10:40 AM, "Jim Starkey via groups.io" <Jim@...> wrote:


Lets us not forget that Iridium went bankrupt, which wiped out the $4 billion in debt for startup expenses.? It was bought out of bankruptcy for $25 million.? It announced it was going to de-orbit the constellation but didn't.

What makes Starlink viable SpaceX's very inexpensive launches.? But what makes SpaceX's launches so cheap with reusable rockets.? And what makes the rockets reusable is a family of throttleable liquid fuel engine, which is quite a difficult trick of engineering.

A satellite constellation dependent on non-reusable booster will never be able to compete economically with Starlink.? Don't hold your breath waiting.

Musk didn't invent any of this -- or any of the other technologies in his companies.? He hires damn smart people, gives them minimal funding, and holds their feet to the fire.? He does get in deep enough to understand that critical problems and the possible pathways to solutions then makes his bets.

No matter what you think of Musk, Starlink is human civilization game changer.? It provides communication to remote regions and rural areas, provides instant communications to disaster areas, and without which the Ukrainian army would have collapsed years ago.

On 2/27/2025 12:19 AM, Dan Grossman via wrote:
Iridium. Teledesic never left the drawing board. And a lot of Iridium technology came from national security progams that pioneered LEO satellites.?

On Feb 26, 2025, at 19:58, Tony Billera via <tony.billera@...> wrote:

? Musk was not the first w the idea. ?

Teledesic developed this concept years ago. Costs have declined. ?

Eventually Starlink will run into congestion and rate increases.?

It¡¯s throw away equipment.?

I comprehend the benefits for live and work aboard while cruising. ?I¡¯m more interested in the ubiquitous coverage of AST Mobile that will soon be available. ?


Tony

Tony Billera

Please consider the environment before printing this email. Thank you.


On Feb 26, 2025, at 4:19?PM, Pete Waterson via <peterjwaterson@...> wrote:

?
As an emigre I try to keep a tight rein on political opinion, but by the sounds of this thread there is an awful lot of buyers remorse going around right now.
It is the Information Age and Musk has revolutionized access to the Internet. I just wish engineers would stick to engineering!
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Pete Waterson
¡°°ä³ó²¹°ù»å´Ç²Ô²Ô²¹²â¡±
S38-2
Oriental, NC
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Jim Starkey, AmorphousDB, LLC