From the beginning, I have wanted to have a particular diagram of CAYUGA. When I had the sailboat, it was much clearer and of course relatively new (1 previous owner for only a year) regarding any diagram or layout of what is what and where.
The first year of owning CAYUGA, we simply used her and didn't fuss much about anything. We knew we would be taking her for service in the winter season and would have things checked out. I would get the diagram I was interested in having.
That brings us full circle to the week before Christmas. We haven't shared much about the boat since back in late September. Much has transpired and we needn't talk about it with the world. We did mention we'd filed an insurance claim and to that we did get a check to get a new port gear.
CAYUGA is on the Eastern Shore again with an outfit that is known for its work with Bertrams, among others - this is an example of the 31' Bertram (not their work but so you can see the very classic kind of boat it is). They do all kinds of boats, and very big boats too. Positively, we've gotten a lot of thumbs up on going there, from all kinds of folks. A working yard with marina, I was impressed. Brad too. Time will tell.
So I went over for a meeting with a few of the guys and this was specifically about the electrical system. I've wanted to get a diagram of it from the beginning because I know over the years things have been installed, taken out, changed, bigger batteries, etc. The wiring is a disaster, at least to me. Apparently, they think so too. Hence the call for a meeting.
We went over the main issues and possible solutions, and of course, I asked about the pie in the sky overhaul of the whole system. I'll be getting an estimate for the main issues and a small venture into an overhaul without some of the insanity. Oh boy, another $$$! I love yachting.
The boat had smaller engines when first launched and whatever electrical system at that point in 1984. Much of that wiring still exists as well as a few of the instruments - which are no longer connected on one end but are the another. Madness, I tell you.
Brad and I are in full agreement that the electrical system has to be taken care of. We are getting new gears (paying for the starboard ourselves) and with all the effort on that, the last thing anyone wants is the boat having an electrical short (see! I got that title in here) that leads to a sad ending because we didn't take care to fix it.
This is what the wiring looked like in 2021 - both engines shown - the starboard has the bus bar just lying there with a zip tie somewhere, the port is even worse. Seriously?
The battery has wires that connect with a fuse (the red squarish piece), but a wire got loose at some point and Brad fixed that. Under the deck sink there's a mess of wires that come in for the solar panels and the instruments on the mast like the radar dome, etc. That black rectangle has been a mystery (something about the batteries but maybe not). However, a couple of small improvements while over in Denton were mounted bus bars - it's a start.
It was an interesting conversation with the guys, and one of them was young - he was taking copious notes - he's apprenticing. Cool. The black rectangle was solved.
Separate note: Brad and I were invited aboard a boat of one of the guys when CAYUGA arrived at the marina - he has redone his entire boat under the floorboards. Yes, as they say, you could eat off the bilge floor. And wiring, OMG, seemed like everything was just where it should be. I, again, have hopes, high hopes even for getting a real electrical diagram.
I've built a binder for the boat which includes as much of the information we have gathered about anything in the boat, and it has a lot of specifications on all kinds of items. Like, the serial number of an engine, model number of a carburetor, the year something was replaced or serviced, etc. And eventually, I'll have a battery consumption chart. CAYUGA doesn't need to plug in, she likes getting sunshine. A trickle charge from the solar panels does the trick. Of course, with the antiquated way the wiring is done through various connections, we lose a lot of efficiency and charge power.
Goal? Fix all we can, avoid electrical mayhem, make sure the bow thruster has juice, the bilge pumps work properly, and most importantly (!), understand how long we can play the stereo at full blast.
Proper wiring on a boat or a home is essential and its an art. Keep up the good work. Cayuga is going be amazing.