In this episode, we tackle a major upgrade for our 1976 sailboat: rewiring the electrical system, installing new batteries, and upgrading the solar controllers. With a very rough sketch in Google Draw, I mapped out how everything will connect – identifying what's missing and ensuring we’re ready for the demands of modern sailing.
For context, we bought this boat to learn to sail and plan a big trip around the Baltic next summer. To maximize our sailing time, we're diving into these upgrades now, well before the new season. The boat’s 50-year-old electrical system needs a complete overhaul to support today’s technology while removing outdated and broken components.
This foundational step will prepare us for future upgrades, including more charging sources and devices. We're also installing new Victron shore and solar charge controllers, giving us a chance to evaluate these components before scaling up on a future blue water cruiser.
Looking ahead, I plan to revisit the 220v system, build a modern display panel, and centralize the boat’s controls. If you have any questions or feedback, leave them in the comments! You can find this sketch, along with our project expenses, on our Patreon page – available for free on the membership tier. Stay tuned as we break down each part of this upgrade in detail!
📺 Watch to see how we transform this classic sailboat into a modern off-grid cruiser!
#sailboat #sailingchannel #refit #boatwork #cruising #sailing
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We are Carl, Annie, Emily, Maple, and Tiger – a family on a grand adventure to turn our sailing dreams into reality. Join us as we navigate the highs and lows of learning to sail, all while embracing a more sustainable lifestyle.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:32 - Planning to rewire the boat
03:03 - Background info & diagram
04:35 - Out with the old
08:40 - Replace 50 years of hacks
09:54 - Install Victron shunt
14:25 - Additional battery installation and fuses
15:17 - Start battery shunt
17:23 - Rewire sailboat alternator
19:16 - Engine bay insulation upgrade
23:54 - Test and overview
25:35 - Victron Solar MPPT controller installation
27:28 - Shore power connection upgrade
29:21 - Blade fuse distribution installation
31:30 - outro
