Electrical Plan & Prep

I don’t have my electrical plan completely nailed down, but I’ve been giving it a bit of thought as I don’t want to build past any infrastructure I might need in place. Here’s what I’m planning on…

1. Nav lights
2. Stern light
3. Cabin lights
4. Cabin fans
5. USB power in cabin and various other places
6. Solar ??
7. Transducer and sounder for depth
8. Possibly GPS

I considered a bilge pump but decided against it since the boat will probably be stored dry. Just something else to keep up with.

I am planning on a small electric outboard, probably a Torqeedo. Such would have it’s own battery but I might consider also wiring in a solar panel. Don’t know yet.

So a few things to do before the cabin is enclosed and space gets tight…

Batt shelf and wire chase

In the forward storage compartment I built a small battery shelf and a wire chase to hide and protect wire running from the battery shelf to the electrical panel location. This was a fun bench project and took no time at all.

Both pieces are simply glued to the hull and bulkhead with thickened epoxy. I added tiny fillets just for looks. Below is a view of wires running from the chase to the panel. These wires run through the bilge to the stern.

Power supply to the stern

There are several things I will need low voltage for at the stern of the boat.

1. Stern light
2. Transducer
3. USB connections in at least one, maybe both seatback storage lockers.
4. GPS/sounder (location TBD)

I am running 16 gauge wire as that should be plenty fine for the small stuff I’m powering. The wire will run within conduit under the bilge but I might ditch the conduit. I have four 2-pair wires crammed in there and there is zero chance of removing, replacing or adding wires later on. Or I need larger conduit. It sounded good on paper.

The wire will pass through bulkhead 8 above the sole cleat so I installed a bit of PVC to protect the exposed wire. I’ve no plans to ensure this small breach of BH8 is watertight. The PVC is set with thickened epoxy.

Below are the stern wires pulled into the rear storage area. I’ll build and mount a couple of junction boxes on the back of BH8 before I install the cockpit floor.

Electrical panel

My panel will accommodate 6 breakers, a battery switch, USB-C outlet, voltmeter and an ammeter. I designed the panel large enough to fit a little extra if needed down the road.

I built the panel out of scrap okoume ply. I didn’t care for my first version so I built another that I like very much.

And here is where it will live on bulkhead #2.

Next

This post is out of order, chronologically. Previous posts show that the sides are already installed. So my next steps at this moment are to finish sanding the joints between hull sides, bottoms and transom. Then complete all the cabin interior paint and varnish.