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Electrical Rewiring Overview

Details: Category: Electrical Wiring

The electrical distribution panel was a convoluted mess. There were several different bus bars that each served as common ground, with jumpers connecting a dizzying array of switches and other bus bars. The analog meters either didn't work or were missing a readout label. The distribution panel was actually a combination of several different panels made by various manufacturers. It was difficult to accurately trace just where, exactly, the hot and/or ground connections actually terminated. I strongly suspect there were even a few circuits that were just hot loops without a load attached (e.g. the breaker for the water maker would immediately trip). The old electrical distribution panels have been completely removed and a new distribution panel will be designed to meet the new electrical load requirements.

Blue Sea Systems has a great online tool for designing electrical distribution panels. The panel wizard can be used to drag-and-drop various modules into a distribution panel. Although the panel wizard page states that email registration is required, this is not true. Clicking the "Try It" button opens the panel wizard with full functionality. (Saving a design does, however, require registration). There are a few missing features that make the panel wizard less than perfect (module details have to be examined separately, not all retail prices are listed, and there is no method to move a module without deleting-and-adding).

The wiring itself was covered in decades of accumulated grime. Many of the connections are corroded and unreliable. After removing a 15-foot section of 3-wire 12 gauge (a backbone for "Outlets STBD"), and cutting the wire into two equal lengths, corrosion was discovered to run almost the entire length of the bus. If this is indicative of the rest of the wiring, it will all need to be replaced. Spools of new marine-grade wire, in various gauges and lengths, were ordered from Best Boat Wire. They have realistic prices on bulk wire and their prices for wire connectors can't be beat.

Project Status:

Electrical Distribution Panel is still being designed; circuit requirements are not fully determined at this time
Electrical Rewiring - materials have been obtained and rewiring is ready to begin

Electronics Refit Overview

Details: Category: Electronics

All electronics that are more than five years old have been decommissioned and removed. This included:

GPS (horribly inaccurate, slow, dated from the 1990s)
Autopilot (non-functional)
Water speed transducer (NMEA 0183)
Forward scanning sonar (mono-color screen, never got it to work)
Radar dome (Furuno from the 1990s)
Helm instrument displays (NMEA 0183)
Sat Phone (modem)

New navigational electronics that have been purchased over the past few years are all NMEA2000 compliant. In many cases, they also include Ethernet connectivity. When possible, the electronics have tended to fall within the Furuno NavNet line.

Water speed / depth / temperature transducer (installed)
Fish Finder transducer (installed)
Furuno DRS4D radar dome (installed)
GPS/WAAS sensor
SSC200 Solid State Compass
NavNet 3D MFD8 Multi-Function Display
NavNet Network Sounder (fish finder)
Sirius Satellite Weather Receiver w/Antenna
NavPilot 711 with PG500R (high speed heading sensor)
Wind Transducer (installed on the masthead)
FI501 Wind Direction Display
FI503 Multifunction Digital Data display

Most of the new electronics will be removed from their current locations (scattered throughout the ship) and relocated to where the heat riser once was. (The heat riser was removed from its protected area behind the main salon ladder after the diesel engine was decommissioned.)

Galley Remodel

Details: Category: Galley

This project isn't a full-blown remodeling; it's more of an appliance upgrade and a cosmetic touchup.

The original propane cook top and over have been removed. I dislike the inherent danger of using propane in a confined and enclosed space. A small propane leak would allow the gas to collect and ignite at the smallest spark (the propane grill used outside is started by sparking a typical AA battery). The new cook top and oven will be 120V AC. The exact model and features have not yet been determined.

The galley counter top is 4" ceramic tile. I didn't realize just how much I dislike ceramic tile until I began removing the exact same type of tile from the kitchen at the house. The new countertop will probably be laminate, possibly the same laminate that was intended for the kitchen in the house until we decided to spend the money on Silestone.

The refrigeration and freezer may, or may not, get upgraded. The jury is still out on that one.

The microwave needs a shelf, or other mechanism, to get it off of the countertop. It's an inefficient use of the limited available space.

Helm Console

Details: Category: Helm Console

Prior to the Electric Propulsion project the existing helm configuration was annoying but adequate. However, due to the new electronic throttle that is connected to the motor controller, the existing helm configuration must be changed. It is impossible to mount the throttle to the helm pedestal (the old engine throttle was connected through a small hole in the Edson pedestal; the new electric throttle simply won't fit). Since the helm console needs to be modified anyway, this is a great time to design / build / install one that better suits the new electronics.

Project Status: Under design consideration

Include at least the following display units
- Autopilot control unit
- FI501 Wind Display
- FI503 Multifunction Display
NavNet 3D MFD8 Multi-Function Display
Electronic Throttle (side assembly)
May also include LED displays indicating motor voltage(RPM) and/or amperage draw

Pilot House Enclosure

Details: Category: Pilot House

This will be the second attempt at building a pilot house enclosure. The first attempt was cancelled after learning that the materials used in construction were less than ideal. The second attempt will utilize the same basic design that was created for the first attempt, but this time the materials will be fiberglass, two-part closed-cell foam, and a yet-to-be-determined material for the spars, beams, and supports.

Plumbing Refit

Details: Category: Plumbing