Saying that I spent the day in the bilge may not be completely accurate because cats don't really have bilges that are big enough crawl into. What I did do was spend five hours, split evenly, inside my two engine rooms.

I can definitely feel every one of my fifty+ years today. My back is sore, I have a whole bunch of new cuts and scrapes, and I'm still trying to get water back into my dehydrated body.

My task was to rewire the charging systems on both of my engines in preparation for installation of two new Balmar MC-614 charge controllers and a new Balmar Centerfielder II that will coordinate both of the MC-614's. These new controllers are more sophisticated than what I had before, which meant pulling several new wires from hull to hull through crammed conduits. As every boater knows, this also means dissembling the internals of the boat along the wire's path. In the attached picture, you'll notice the bed propped up, part of the bed base opened up, and a large hole in the wall where a cabinet usually is.

Because the charging system is so critical, I really wanted to do this well, with the correct gauges of wire, the right fittings, and waterproof shrink-wrap over all of the connectors. It was a big HOT job. Even with the A/C on in the boat, working in the engine room, surrounded by the hot ocean water, was a total sweat-fest!

But, I can proudly say that the wiring is complete and it looks damn good! Thanks to Barry, the previous owner of Speakeasy, who generously gifted some of the hardware from his spares, and thanks to Rob & Laurie, family of some cruising friends who are driving several parts down from Canada! Because of all their help, Speakeasy should be operational again within the week.

I do promise that I will check my wiring very carefully before turning on the ignition for the first time! The last thing that I need is burn all this effort up in a puff of smoke!