The Boating Forum - 1 little wiring project story --long

So, I have been getting ready to install my new tabs and VHF radio. I began by testing all of the accessories in the boat. What do you know, the bait well and rear all-around light do not work. So I pulled both the pump and the light and test on a direct battery connection and the both work. So I begin to look at the factory wiring harness (2001 Aquasport) and see all of the dreaded plastic clips in the harnesses. I pull two new lines and take the neg directly to the neg post pin. I get under the dash and see that my pop out fuses are all broken away and that the VHF, Stereo, 12 volt rec. and the fishfinder are all wired to the accessory fuse, even though they each have a dedicated (though broken) fuse. I ordered new fuses and began installed them. then I began to untangle the mess of the harness so that I could hook up the new wires for the nav lights and livewell pump. What a mess. So off I went to boaters world for all the needed equipment. I ended up buying two new Blue Sea fuse panels, so that I could eliminate those pop out fuses from the dash. (I now have to return those fuses). So I basically start from scratch and rewire the new panels in and get it all working, but this creates a new problem..what to do with the holes in the dash. Well I have been wanting to flush mount my Lowrance 15mt for some time, so I go about replacing the dash. I am looking around the house for something to use for the new material, and I spot a cutting board (looks like starboard). ding ding says light in my head and I begin to design said layout. Get all of the gauges mounted and all of the switches mounted (except the lowrance as I am waiting for the flush mount hardware). Wire these up into my new harnesses and volia, project nearing completion.

After spending 2 days this weekend wiring, I am seeing the end. Wife comes out into the driveway and says. Didnt we buy that boat brand new 4 years ago? Yes. Didnt we spend XX.XXX for it? Yes. And you have it torn apart? Yes. She turns around and walks back into the house shaking her head.

Once done I will have a 90% newly wired boat. I will have piece of mind when 30 miles offshore that everything will work and if it does not I will know exactly how to fix it.

Moral of the story, If it aint done right, redo it. If you don't care, stay on the sofa and drink beer.

Pictures to follow.

Looking forward to the pictures. Sounds like you got 'er figured out.

I'm also rewiring a new boat from scratch. Mine hasn't even touched the water yet. I feel where you're coming from. lol

I'm rewireing my 1999 hydrasports also. Sounds exactly like yours in that there is a big jumbled mess of in line fuses. I am also installing a new waterproof fuse panel because of all the odd size fuses for electronics. Also going to replace thru hulls with a seacock setup. Amazing how this stuff is where the mid tier builders cut corners. I'd like to see your pictures.

Oh yeah that reminds me..where is a good place to order color coded wires in short lengths. under 20 foot lenghts.

try www.bestboatwire.com

seems like everything on a boat is a string of dominoes..."this will be quick & easy" always leads to a two-weekend project and much lighter wallet

You can buy 25' spools of tinned marine grade wire from any of the boat stores like west marine or Port supply. Jim at BOE can probably get anything you need as well.

I have bought some wire from boaters world, but they are limited on color choice.

The only issue I have with what you have described is the cutting board thing - It may look like Starboard but it is not Starboard. Starboard has UV protection built into it and that cutting board does not. If you have not mounted everything yet I think I would seriously consider investing in a piece of Starboard or any of the other Marine UV protect imitations on the market over using the cutting board.

The boat is not in the weather other than when I am using it (stored inside). If, in the future I have to replace the dash.. I will. This board is way thicker than the plastic that came with the boat.