Wiring My Old Boat

[blacktail luv]

I wasn't sure where to put this topic but figured the fishermen where the best to ask.  A couple weeks ago I bought a 76  Starcraft boat, so we went out and used it a couple times tubing with the kids but in a few week the river down here opens up for salmon so i decided this weekend that i would "get the lights working"  OOPS.  I think now that i messed something up  I got two of them to work but the wires were a jumbled together mess with all kinds of different color wires spliced together, kinda comfusing.  So I am asking for help from anyone who may own a similar boat or that knows something about this stuff, I am not an electrician by any means but I am not an idiot either, so any help would be appreciated, thanks for any help you can give.

[ICEMAN]

Go to Sears and get an Ohm meter/Multi tester...a vital tool to keep on board the boat anyway....

With this tool, you can figure any wiring issue on the boat you may have...broken wires, where the 12volt is, which is ground..does this switch work...is this wire hot when the ignition is on.... The little book they provide with most ohm meters is enough to get you bye for simple re-wiring...

[jackelope]

with a bunch of splices and what sounds like maybe questionable  old repairs, you may be best off yarding it out and replacing with new.

[ICEMAN]

I love chopping a bungled wiring harness out and starting with fresh copper....Good rainy day job....

[BLKBEARKLR]

yea I am al lfor starting fresh not a lot of room to run if you get some sparks flying when you are on the water

[GEARHEAD]

i gdamn hate boat wiring, never ever seems to work for me, not for long anyways on any of the 6 boats i have owned. my new plan is this, i'm just getting the harness set up, for like towing a car. it'll never be in the water, and should be trouble free, will just have to remove and replace before and after dunking the boat.

[BLKBEARKLR]

gearhead are you talking about rewiring a boat or a trailer? If it is the trailer they have wireless lights now that you just strap on to the boat and pull off when you get to where you are going

[CP]

I used to own a 1976 Starcraft Chieftain.  I loved that boat.  I re-wired the whole boat at least twice (salt water is rough on wiring) but it was only 18 feet and not much to the wiring: running lights, gauge lights, cabin light, bilge pump, everything else is in the outboard harness.  Start by tossing the 1970’s switches and replace with a modern 12VDC distribution panel, from there it’s just wiring. 

[h2ofowlr]

I would just re-wire it.  You can get submersable trailer lights at Wal-Mart if you have one close for about $29.  They are easy to do.  Start fresh so you don't have the lights flickering.  I have become very good at wiring and splicing my boat trailer lights as I have a lab that loves to chew threw the wires.  You will have two sets of wires running down both sides. You will splice in any side lights and one white ground and the tounge.  I just set mine up for a 4 prong.  You can use a bigger set up if you have brakes attached as well.  Easy work.  That would be the best recomendation as old wires over time can rub, corrode, crack, etc.  Before you pull your old wires snip them at the tounge and hook them to the new wires and snake them out the rear of the trailer.  That will pull your wires through without using a snake. 1/2 -1 hour job.

[kbyers]

+1 for the rewire.  Better safe than sorry

[huntnphool]

with a bunch of splices and what sounds like maybe questionable  old repairs, you may be best off yarding it out and replacing with new.

 

[dbllunger]

Re-wire totally and used tinned wire and adhesive heat shrink. It does make a difference for the long haul.  If your going to dump it in a year or so then use any copper wire.  Not that many wires in a boat to change, and make sure all are grounded to the battery only.