PROJECT BOAT RESTORATION Upgrading old boat electronics

Upgrading electronics on Maximus seemed like a huge leap in the first weeks of ownership. We were still discovering new leaks and lockers, choosing antifouling and scraping the bottom.

I couldn’t imagine being on the water just yet, let alone using high-tech navigation equipment.

Frankly, with everything else, the complex world of electronics was the last thing I wanted to think about on our 28ft Maxi 84. However, it looked like the PBO Project Boat might require a rewire. While she was laid up in the yard, any mast and thru-hull fittings needed to go in now… and so it made sense to decide what would be attached to them. Fortunately, Raymarine’s expertise came to my rescue.

Flat batteries

Also, I’d booked a meeting with a marine electrician, and planned to bring along new batteries so he could test the boat’s electrical systems – something we were unable to do during the survey because the batteries were flat.

Rather than replacing the batteries with like-for-like, I suspected I’d need more power