Re-wire kit

[jumpjets]

I’ve been offered a decent deal on a 1980s vintage scarab II. It’s safe and it runs, but could use a little work. I’m all about tackling a project, but don’t wanna get in over my head.

The wiring in the boat is mess. There are stray un-used wires. The bare essentials function; trim, k-planes, depth finder, but that’s about it.

Is there a good generic marine grade wiring harness kit? No generator, cabin appliances, just gauges, lights, stereo, and basic single day stuff.

Anyone tackled a job like this?

 

[matt167]

If it’s the engine side stuff, you can get replacement harnesses from Mercruiser or quicksilver.if you need anything else, you gotta roll your own

 

[alldodge]

Wiring can be found in the manuals based on what motor. Can get custom wiring harness for motor and boat side. May be able to find a ready made harness but being that old it may be hard to find new, most likely used

The trim and K planes will be easy enough

 

[dwco5051]

Unused or stray wires in a harness is common. Boat builders would use the same harness on all the boats of a particular model and install it as the boat was being built. That harness would be constructed for all the possible variations of accessories that might be ordered. One individual boat may not have all options.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Is there a good generic marine grade wiring harness kit?

Anyone tackled a job like this?

No

Yes

You will need to buy what you can that matches the motor/control wiring. From there you will buy a bunch of primary wires, connectors, etc

 

[04fxdwgi25]

As others have said, the engine harness can be had readily available new or used. From the engine harness plug out, it is manufacturer based and is a unicorn for older boats. Main exception is if it has Bennett trim tabs, those harnesses are still available new and used.

To roll your own custom harness isn't that difficult, just time intensive and materials consuming. AND can be frustrating.

Been a marine / vehicle / RV electrician on and off for 55 years and have done probably 100's of custom builds.

To get one of the custom manufacturers to make one is $$$$$$$

 

[Scott Danforth]

Here is something to consider. out of the dozen boats or so that I have rewired, once you jump in, its usually about $100 to go thru the existing wiring and take care of the actual issues vs the $4-600 it would cost you to rewire the whole boat. (or more if you buy the engine harness vs making it)

It is usually just a mess under the dash, and in the engine compartment because that is where most people have access. additionally, factory wiring is thrown in the boat just to get the boat out the door.

knowing the wiring colors and some generic wiring diagrams and you can straighten out everything over a weekend or two.

Generic Boat Wiring information - Updated Verified

in an attempt to restore information lost due to broken links and photobucket. Here is a thread that will attempt to gather all pertinent generic wiring information starting with the SAE wiring colors as published by the ABYC American Boat and Yacht Council Standards COLOR ITEM...

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Wiring Diagrams, How To's, and other helpful information

Disclaimer iBoats has no control over external links contained in stickies and to be aware that links are fluid and may or may not work. 1. Generic boat wiring diagrams.-- PLUS navigation light switch wiring Verified 2. Boat wiring diagram, adding second battery, color codes. Verified...

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[havoc_squad]

Making a wire diagram of what exists first and another diagram of the final product well planned is the best help you can give yourself.

Based off available room, wire channel limitations and the desired end result will determine what you do.

More than likely you would leave alone most or all of an OEM builder's bundled wires in their harness that is separate from the engine's harness to the driver's console.

By leave alone I mean clean up and organize but not delete.

At worst, you may have to terminate some wire ends not being used to avoid danger of disconnected wires.

Room availability will determine what you can change and where.

You may have to at the helm leave the OEM fuze/breaker setup alone and tie into the main fused supply there as long as max amps for that isn't exceeded.

However, lets say you are adding an amp underneath the console for the stereo.

Under most situations that would require a home run/new set of fuse protected wires ran directly either to battery or a large amp battery distribution panel near the battery, hopefully fused.

Rarely does a high amp distribution panel get put at the helm/console.

Old boats with more enclosed room that has easy access are more friendly to doing major wiring overhauls, just make 100% sure you document and label those wires.

Definitely use as many fuse distribution boxes as you need with the right gauge wire that are properly rated for the amp draw required.

 

[jumpjets]

Huge thanks to everyone for providing info. The boat runs & drives right now, but the lights and gauges don’t work.

I’ve also found some good videos on YouTube about re-wiring

 

[Scott Danforth]

Huge thanks to everyone for providing info. The boat runs & drives right now, but the lights and gauges don’t work.

I’ve also found some good videos on YouTube about re-wiring

I would avoid YouTube as most videos have incorrect information