Boat type
Sailing yacht
Electrical standard
ISO 13297
Location
Lady Bee Marina, Southwick
Overview
Solar and lithium install.
Work completed
April 2026
For this project, I worked as a boat electrician on a Hunter Ranger 265 owned by a skipper preparing for an extended voyage around the waters of the United Kingdom. With plans to spend multiple days at sea, the priority was to upgrade the vessel’s marine electrics to ensure they were safe, reliable, and capable of supporting onboard systems without constant reliance on shore power. The work was carried out at Sussex Yacht Club in Southwick, in accordance with ISO 13297 and British Marine Code of Practice.
A complete redesign of the boat electrics was undertaken, centred around a lithium battery installation to provide efficient, high-capacity energy storage.
To support charging while underway, a DC-to-DC charger was installed, allowing the alternator to safely and effectively charge the lithium bank. This was complemented by a solar panel installation paired with an MPPT controller, enabling consistent renewable energy generation throughout the journey.
This project was particularly rewarding, not only in delivering a reliable and future-proof marine electrical setup, but also in supporting a skipper setting out on a significant personal voyage. Preparing the boat for this journey and helping make that adventure possible is exactly the kind of work I enjoy as a boat electrician.
