posted 04-16-2009 09:43 PM ET (US)        

I'm planning on this being my last Whaler, so I went a little overboard. Many items I snagged on eBay for a great price -- vhf radio $140, BEP $125, Battery Cable $130.

Two L shaped 3/4 inch marine plywood pieces, resin enclosed and painted white, attached with bolts and finish washers were installed to provide more space to attach electronics.

All and I mean ALL wires labeled with clear heat shrink over labels. Terminal blocks have dielectric grease protection.

Service loops that also incorporate drip loops used where needed.

Split loom used to neaten wiring runs

I have 2 group 24 starting batteries -- port and starboard
1 group 24 dual purpose -- house battery -- All batteries rest on deck -- holes cut in console floor.

#4 battery wire used.

BEP battery distribution cluster -- charges starting batteries first, then house battery

Guest battery charger -- I really like this charger.

Standard Horizon PS2000 Vhf radio with Shakespeare antenna and connected to gps for distress info

Jensen stereo with remote (3 inch round gauge style), iPod connector -- stereo enclosed in a Pyle white plastic container
Maybe I should have mounted stereo in one of the instrument panels -- so I wouldn't need a remote and make it easier to wire console.

FM antenna mounted through windshield center well-nut

JBL 2 channel Amp

Sirius tuner

Sirius mushroom antenna

Blue Sea 60 amp maxi fuse

Blue Sea fuse holders

2 Busbars with covers (red and yellow tape)

Many terminal blocks

Led light inside console

2 Led light bars under each gunnel

Mast head light has shovel connectors so it can be easily disconnected if needed

I used the tan battery boxes from foreandaftmarine.com -- I should have used the standard black boxes similar to the original tan Whaler boxes because they take up less room and the covers are easier to put on.

5 Cole Hearse push pull insulated switches

12 Volt accessory outlet

750 gph Rule bilge pump with built in float switch

Sahara teleflex fuel gauge -- new 63 gallon epoxy coated gas tank

Garmin depth finder

Garmin 182c gps & mushroom gps antenna

Outlet to connect shore power to battery charger

Full credit for wiring wizardry goes to my friend Eric Gerard. Thanks to Gerry for finding Eric. It takes a lot more time than one could imagine to do this kind of job. THANK YOU ERIC!!!

Thanks to bluewater pirate for his advice and helping me decide what items I wanted.

Thanks to Mike at Nautical Lumber for cooler cleats, fishing rod holders, bilge cover, refinish on stern light base piece, and 2 pieces at base of console - all of these were varnished. Louvre Doors, gunnel caps, console cap piece were refinished with sanding and teak oil.

I have many more people to thank.

I will be taking more photos and posting more info in the future. Tomorrow the boat will be compounded, waxed, detailed, new black stripe, put on reg numbers. I hope to splash for first time on Saturday or Sunday.

My friend Mike Cook raised motors one hole, new waterpumps, thermostat kits, spark plugs, fuel pumps, fuel filters, fuel lines, lower unit oil, trim pump oil, repaint trim motors, repaint lower units, one new trim motor relay sender, muffler gaskets, refinish props, grease shaft, lubricate, new control cables, etc

Thanks to Neil at East Coast trailers for new disc brake trailer. If you're in the Long Island area -- he's the man!

Thanks to Lois at Halls Nautical for new leaning post cushion -- she makes it thicker than original -- you will like it mucho

posted 04-16-2009 10:10 PM ET (US)            

Nice job, and it shows there is alot of work in it.

posted 04-16-2009 10:57 PM ET (US)            

Could you please re-post your photos. When I click to the link, all I get are photos of the wiring for the Space Shuttle. Didn't realize they used teak louvered hatches in the shuttle, too...

VERY NICE!!!

posted 04-17-2009 08:16 AM ET (US)            

Blue -- Eric put about 2 weeks into the boat -- probably even more. During it all he had to relocate his boat building business, and deal with some girlfriend drama. So, I really appreciated his commitment to getting the job done.

posted 04-19-2009 09:12 PM ET (US)            

I dream of having wiring like that, but I never get enough time at the marina to work on my boat (I still have a new bilge pump sitting in a shopping bag waiting to be installed for the past four months). Whenever I ask around about marine electricians, the basic response is usually "You don't want to ask" (i.e. in terms of what it's going to cost).

posted 04-22-2009 06:13 PM ET (US)            

According to the Yamaha web site, the 70s only put out 6 amps, Im curious what your amp or volt meters do when you idle and turn everything on and crank up the volume?
(I will need 12v flood lights near the equivalent draw of your amp)

[Changed TOPIC to discuss hand held radio problems with the PTT button. ASIDE: send the radio in for repair, it will probably be at no charge due to the excellent reputation of that brand--jimh]

Luv those tunes...enjoy.