Segeln magazine is presenting the TOP EQUIPMENT 2025/26 award for the first time. The jury thoroughly examined the products that applied for the award and evaluated them from the perspective of cruising and recreational sailing: Does the product deliver on its promise? Do the products truly impress in everyday life on board? The focus was therefore on the actual benefit of a product for sailors, as well as whether the product is innovative, technically exciting, durable, and long-lasting, or offers something special in terms of environmental protection.
The jury of Segeln Magazine.
The mobile FLINrail solar module with the recommendation for the SEGELN Equipment Award 2025
The solar module features integrated clamps and self-adjusting (self-rolling) attachment lines, allowing for stepless alignment and quick assembly/disassembly on the railing. The solar panel is supported by a sturdy aluminum frame and is very lightweight in its construction (for the large 100W panel: <3kg). Special feature: Bifacial solar module, which, when mounted on the railing, also captures sunlight via the panel's rear side, thus utilizing scattered light from the water surface. Furthermore, FLINrail products are finally assembled and tested in Kiel/Germany, which reflects in high product quality. The solar module thus appears of high quality in the test and can be mounted "plug-and-play," simply and quickly. Testing was done with the VictronEnergy MPPT 75/15 solar charger recommended by FLIN. Despite cloudy skies and obscured sun, the result far exceeded the conventional 100-watt solar panels mounted on the boat. Further tests with partial shading (e.g., by shrouds) of the panel show that this hardly affects the energy yield. This is likely due to the six integrated bypass diodes. FLIN describes the processing of filament connections within the cells, which are supposed to make the panels particularly break-resistant. The 100-watt solar module was supplied without a solar charger (which can be purchased from FLIN), but ready-to-use in a suitable transport bag and with standardized MC-4 connectors. The instruction manual and various user videos from the manufacturer provide good and clear information. Professional advice by phone or email is easily available.
