Replacement electrical circuit breaker panels?

Posted By: Bob Pr. S2 6.7 #81, "The TARDIS", Topeka, KS
Date: 7/30/04 3:17p.m.

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The S2 6.7 has a primitive OEM electrical center composed of a few fused toggle switches set into the vertical face supporting the V-berth. The 6.9's is just a smidge more advanced and probably the 22's is not much more so. I'd like to upgrade my boat's electrical non-panel to circuit breakers (CBs) from fuses and am wondering if anyone else has done this and which products they like. The panels in the West Marine catalog are terribly pricey and come with a bunch of high amp (10 & more) CBs already installed. Our boats don't have lots of 10A circuits. I suppose that several circuits could be led to a single CB switch and each one toggled, maybe with a fuse, maybe not. Below are the circuits that I've thought might be used. Are there others? Is this too many? Comments? Discussion? -- Navigation lights (R/G bow, clear stern) -- steaming light (sailboat, sails down, under power) -- anchoring light (masthead) -- bilge pump(s) (one or two) -- interior cabin lights ------- low level nighttime lights ------- higher level reading lights -- VHF radio -- lights, power for depth finder, compass, knotmeter, etc. -- sound system (radio, CD/Tape, etc.) -- cabin plug-in outlet -- 2nd cabin plug-in outlet -- cockpit lights (low level) ------- cockpit light (high level) -- cockpit VHF radio -- cockpit plug-in outlet The cheapest, most adaptable panel that I've found is a Sea Dog model sold by SailNet: http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=12218 Has anyone gone this route and found better options?