During the shopping for the right size of equipment they were really helpful and during the installation process as I was new to solar. Harrison provided fantastic support and he was available when I needed to discuss an offer offered great solutions.
Buying solar panels can be daunting. Whether for your van, RV or boat, the selections are overwhelming. I've added solar power to my sailboat, my van and my overland vehicle and personally faced this decision making. What I've found important to understand going in is this: you get what you pay for. If you are trying to save a few bucks that's fine. But a budget-only focused search will result in a number of things. First, solar panels that do not come close to their stated output. Durability issues with frames and cells. Cheap wiring and connectors that do not last. A useful life no where near what is promised and unresponsive and unhelpful customer service. If high output, quality, durability and great customer service is important then I highly recommend Custom Marine Products. Over the years I have purchased a number of panels and the one time I had a warranty issue Custom Marine Products immediately replaced the defective panel. No questions asked. The other panels have worked flawlessly meeting or exceeding specs. Do yourself a favor. Shop one time at Custom Marine Products and have the confidence your investment will last and Custom Marine is always there to help with installation, tech questions and, in the unlikely chance you have an issue, is there for you to back up their products.
Christian W Van Dyke
Bend, OR
I wanted to use solar power to keep my trolling motor battery charged. I found CMP on the web and worked with Harrison from the company to "design the required system". We came up with using the semi rigid flexible panel to mount on the boat's T-top. Harrison was very knowledgeable and helpful and answered questions regarding slight mounting installation changes that needed to be made due to some minor conflicts with the configuration of the t top. Excellant customer service.
Hi Tom, I thought I’d give you a short update on how we made out with the new solar and batteries. I was able to get the three new batteries in the same battery compartment with one class T fuse per battery as recommended. They are working great. Lithium is such a game changer!! The three new solar panels were installed. The two 120 watt panels in parallel on one MPPT and the 240 watt panel on its own new MPPT. We now have a total of 825 watts between the new panels and three old 115 watt panels. We saw a peak of 750 watts produced which is impressive. We’ve never seen that high a percentage of our max potential production before.
Thanks for your advice and help in getting us set up.
Howard
Hey y’all. Panels and brackets ended up working out great. They were plenty rigid and used the primer and recommended VHB. Had to really work it into the bumps of the panel, but seemed to get a good bond. Here are some pics and a few extra of the dodger panel y’all did for me.
Colin
Ed supplied me with a flexible solar panel and a remote batteru/ charger/ controller with USB outlets for my ongoing Arctic expedition. The hardware is robust and the build quality excellent on the pelican case unit. I expect this unit to last YEARS past when the expedition concludes. Ed knows his business, the materials and components intimately, and is an absolute pleasure to work with. Hands down the best in the PNW.
Karl Krüger - Eastsound, WA
Nov 20, 2023
Rarely can one find the level of competent customer service Tom sr. And Tom jr. provide. As has been mentioned over and over, they are available and responsive beyond anything I have ever experienced on line, or for that matter, in person. Once I was convinced that I needed to go beyond my DIY solar power set up on our previous sailboat, I contacted CMP and was guided through the process of selecting the right panels, cables, controllers, and new batteries that would meet our new power needs. We were having all new canvas work done and it was a perfect time to incorporate the new panels with the dodger and bimini . We now have panels delivering a total of 400 watts of power with two controllers and two new LifePo4 batteries. Installation was going to be a challenge to me, but Tom sr. and Tom jr. we’re up to the task of walking me through it. Fortunately I have a wonderful friend who is not electronically challenged and he was able to converse the them on the more detailed aspects of the installation. The finished product is a delight to behold. We have had many folks stop by our slip to look it over and ask questions. We are very happy, off the grid sailors and my CPAP machine and new refrigeration system send along a big thanks! You can’t go wrong with the product quality and the above and beyond customer service from the Trimmers.
Thank you,
Bill and Siobhan Baines, SV Mental Floss
Deale, MD
Oct 13, 2022
Tom, I can not say enough good things about your products and customer support. Your company is a stand-out among the best of the best. The solar array and LiFEPO4 package you recommended to me in 2022 has worked flawlessly, I am never out of battery power. Run my smaller ac (not my 16k btu set), uninterrupted cool air throughout a hot night, battery bank down to 55%, and fully recharged within four or so hours the next day. Have entertained several folks aboard our sailboat while at anchor to look at the system as they are unable to cool their boat down throughout the night. Lastly, your 24/7 customer support is unheard of these days. You answer the phone personally and do not have a bot answering service that sends a customer in a tail chase....can only quantify your customer service as exceptional. Regret being chatty, but your compant has earned it!
Bill Combs,
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
Mar 12, 2026
Tom provided our Florida based sailboat with a 290 watt panel and voltage regulator. I mounted the panel on a stern arch with over all excellent results. The dual charging for both our house batteries and trickle charge to the engine start batteries is well designed. Communication, delivery and follow up service was excellent with Tom.
David Hibbard
Smithers, British Columbia
July 03, 2024
Sales representative was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Wow, I am so impressed by this system! I purchased a 24V 150a life battery with 2, 12v flexible panels and charging controller for my fishing boat which I mounted on my T-Top. Using the trolling motor for a full day of fishing and only used 5% of battery, plus each time the motor was turned off the charger kicked in and resumed charging. I couldn't be happier and to top it off Tom gave me an incredible price. Thank You!!!!
Peter Harkness
Sun City Center, FL
Sept 18, 2024
By reputation I knew that Custom Marine sold the very highest quality solar panels. I have built two vans using their products and my experience was consistent with this knowledge. It was not until I had an issue with a defective panel that I came to realize that their customer service, responsiveness, communication and their willingness to stand behind the products they sell was unequalled. These folks have the best product and, as I now know, they have the best service. I give them my strongest recommendation.
Chris Van Dyke
Bend, Oregon
Oct 04, 2024
I like to compliment Tom Trimmer and his company for all of their friendly, expert guidance in creating an excellent solar array for my boat. I have been using this system for two seasons now. The high quality of the solar panels that are offered is one of the many reasons I chose to buy. The service and expertise and Tom's experience are why you will love doing business here. Denise First Point of Aries.
Denise Gill
Annapolis, MD
March 28, 2025
Outstanding products and customer service. I recently purchase 3-145 W Sunpower Shade Tolerant solar panels, 3-Victron 16/75 Controlers, and related accessories for my 38’ Sabre MK I Sailboat and am extremely pleased with the company and its personnel. Their website first attracted me due to its detailed explanations and overall guidance. Their sales/tech rep, Harrison, was patient, knowledgeable, and available in an “above and beyond the call of duty” fashion that is rare in the modern era. He stood by me through the entire process from initial guidance with assessment of energy needs and selection of proper components until the installation process was complete. He was always friendly, helpful, and available whenever I called (even occasionally on a weekend). I wholeheartedly recommend him and the entire Custom Marine Services to anyone considering a solar energy purchase and DIY installation on their boat.
Don Fleming
Ossining, New York
June 29, 2025
I had the ver best experience with customer representative, Harrison Baker. I was looking to purchase solar panels for our sailboat for my husband’s sailboat and he was the best!! Answered all my questions and was extremely knowledgeable!! Even made a little card for my husband that I could wrap before they arrive !!! Thank you Harrison!!!!!!!!!
Tracy Defelice
Northfield, VT
May 16, 2025
After making the decision to add solar to our boat, I reached out to CMP and had dozens (no exaggeration) of questions. Tom responded very quickly to all my questions, and made me feel great about our purchase. We bought 3 x CMP23145F 145W panels with controller, communications, and accessories. We are super pleased with everything!
Everything I needed they sold to spec, nothing oversold. Best part was having access to their team via text or cell. I was able to do the install myself and I super appreciated their availability. An outstanding resource for the refurbishing of my 40 yr old sailboat.
Purchased marine solar panels from CMP. They provided lots of helpful information on methods to install these on boats and have a wide range of products. But more importantly, I had an issue after an extended period (my project was delayed), and CMP took care of everything without any issues whatsoever. Excellent focus on the customer. You can be confident this vendor will be there and stand behind their products.
Outstanding customer support. Never installed solar products myself, completely refurbished a 40 yr old sailboat. CMP did not oversell a product, the provided easy instructions with candid feedback on installation (esp. if there were issues) for the product that meets your needs. You can call and talk or text to a USA person! You basically get VIP status working with them. I super appreciated that when I need a little help, they would return my call or answer a text. I also was able to download the controller data and send a .txt file to them for review to insure the system was operating properly - which they did timely. They are my 'go to' for all things solar. Thank you! ps. I installed a 55W panel, Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75V/15A solar controller, and a 100Ah LiFePo battery by Redodo
I have not mounted my solar panels yet, but I would say Custom Marine Products have given me the best customer support I’ve ever received anywhere! Harrison gave me a call the day after I left an inquiry note from the website. In the weeks following, we had another long call and countless text exchanges exploring the best layout (out of 8 different layout options) of the solar panels for my camper van. I had a ton of questions, but Harrison always answered patiently and in a timely fashion. As a first time DIY person, it’s been extremely helpful to have the support from Custom Marine Products and their various team members. They also have a lot of documents and video tutorials. It’s a daunting process, but their team make me feel comfortable moving through the steps of purchasing the right panels and installing them myself. Looking forward to installing the solar panels!
Just easy! Super positive, helpful, engaging, knowledgeable, confident not cocky. I’m two for two with these guys.
Great products and friendly customer service made me buy their semi rigid solar panels in the first place. When something went wrong, they honored their warranty without questions and saved our boating season with a a very speedy replacement. They are one of the best companies to deal with in the marine industry.
