Whilst we have always been very pleased with our boat, over the years there have been some additions to the general fit out. Very few of these with hindsight would have better been included in the basic build specification of the boat and this is almost always to do with electrical wiring. This is not to say that the boat was originally in any way lacking. We have been, and continue to be, impressed with the small details which we have found so practical in the general design, but our horizons have, shall we say, expanded.
Important Changes
VHF Radio and Navigation Lights
We could not have anticipated changes to the regulations of the Port of London requiring us to have Marine Band VHF when transiting the tidal Thames. I suppose you could say that a handheld radio would do, but I preferred to make a more substantial arrangement. The navigation lights which Braidbar fitted were incomplete (I subsequently discovered), there being no stern light and no steaming light and as we now use the river quite frequently, these and an anchor light are required. Wiring for a de mountable mast with lights and VHF connection had to be retrofitted. More detail from this link
Other additions
Electrical
1. Alternator controller and battery monitor. These mods are probably no longer necessary with a new engine from Beta Marine as I understand that their spec is different. Access for wiring was all through existing trunking.
2. Additional solar panel. We asked Braidbar to fit the first and the way it was done has allowed an additional panel to be accommodated easily from the wiring point of view. A third panel has now been fitted. They are expensive, but cheap if measured against the high cost of electrical hook-ups which we have never needed. Harefield charges £15 per month standing charge. 3. The boat alarm (Text Alert) was originally hard wired, but is now wireless. Access for this via the sub gunwale wiring loom was easy enough.
4. Cupboard lighting. Our centre cupboard included lighting. However, the use to which we have put this cupboard, part clothes hanging, part larder, meant that the bottom was dark. I have fitted low level LCD lighting. Wiring is unobtrusive within the cupboard.
5. Boat horn. The original Braidbar fitting failed due to a faulty horn. I moved the replacement to the front of the cratch rather than leaving it on the front window as it was less likely to startle a guest sitting next to it. This was the worst bit of wiring I have done and looks awful. (Now removed) A birthday present of a nice chromium trumpet horn presented a dilemma for fitting and was ultimately fitted on the roof above the central cupboard using the power from the cupboard light controlled by a relay. This allowed installation and use of a very thin wire through the gunwale loom back to the switch and wiring panel.
6. A water tank gauge was fitted. Details can be found here.
7. TV. We are now on our third generation of TV - now with integral DVD player. This is an Avtec Brand designed for mobile use at 12 volts. It comes with an active aerial as an extra, powered through the aerial wire itself. Well worth the money. So far we have not been without a single night's TV since fitting it, even in the most unlikely places such as cuttings. Of course, now I have said that, there will be first time, but nevertheless it's a pretty impressive record.
8. The Wind Generator. An interesting story in itself, and not yet done if the truth were told. A full description can be found here. Subsequent modifications to the fin to reduce risk of bridge strikes have been made.