Puffin’s electrical system got quite a hammering on the last Golden Globe Race which resulted in a lot of corrosion and multiple gremlins in the system. To fix all of this we’ve been planning an electric refit for some time now and with the help of Victron Energy B.V. and Chris Dobson of UK Marine Electronics Ltd we have designed what we believe will be both a simple but highly robust and resilient system for Puffin’s next voyage around the globe.

The concept drawings have been completed and the equipment ordered, so once Puffin arrived in Whitehaven Marina last week we began the process of ripping out the old wiring. We’ve kept the old system running since last year, but it was great to have a clean sweep and prepare the boat for the new waterproof enclosures that will hold the Victron kit.

The new bombproof custom made battery boxes were painted and installed in the lockers ready for the two 160AH Lead Carbon batteries and we decided on the location of the back-up critical systems battery. We’ve made a plan to enclose the SSB radio in waterproof box too, but unfortunately Puffin’s iCom Radio unit was also damaged in the last race and the technicians at Icom UK Official Fan Page have since condemned it, so although we now have a plan we don’t have a radio ! More fundraising needed I think..

The first of the Hella marine lights also arrived and we just had time to fit the new LED Tri Colour at the masthead, great view over Whitehaven as darkness fell.

So that’s out with the old and ready for the new.