There are plenty of articles out there on installing new electronic gizmos and gadgets in our boat, but very few about the infrastructure those toys attach to. The fact is that many of our boats, especially the older ones, are a patchwork of wiring ill suited for new additions.

I quickly discovered that was the case on my current project boat, a 1965 Columbia 26. The wiring was old, the insulation brittle and frayed and there were a host of wires – all red and black – that I found both connected and disconnected. After looking at the mess, I decided that it would be both easier and less exasperating to remove all the old and questionable wiring, as well as the electrical panels, and start from scratch.

While you may not want to be as drastic when it comes to your own boat, there is much to recommend taking stock of your boat's electrical system and making diagrams of what exists. The exercise will help you get better acquainted with the boat, identify weak points in the system and help plan for upgrades. The diagrams themselves can also add value to the boat, by increasing the onboard documentation.

By going through this exercise and drawing these diagrams yourself, you'll be much better prepared to track down problems if something goes wrong. You'll also be aware of your system's shortcomings, and you can fix them yourself or hire a licensed marine electrician to do the job. And, of course, the next time you add gizmos and gadgets, installation will be far simpler.

To read this entire article, which includes photos, graphics, related articles, and links, log into your Mad Mariner account below or sign up for a free trial.