by boatwired | Apr 1, 2026 | Do It Yourself Marine Electrical, Marine Electrical
Opening Day on Puget Sound is the first Saturday in May. It is one of the best days of the year if you are a Seattle boater. But nothing ruins it faster than flipping on your navigation lights, turning the key, and realizing something electrical went wrong over the...
by boatwired | Oct 23, 2025 | Do It Yourself Marine Electrical, Marine Electrical
Saltwater is brutal. Every PNW boater knows it eats metal for breakfast, attacks wiring insulation, and can silently ruin even the most well-built electrical systems. Boat electrical corrosion doesn’t happen overnight, but when it does, it can leave you stranded, dim...
by Shawn Rutan | Aug 13, 2025 | Marine Electrical
When most people think about being on the water, they imagine the wind in their face, the hum of the engine, and the wide-open horizon. What they usually do not think about is the wiring hidden behind the panels and under the deck. Yet every safe trip you take depends...
by Shawn Rutan | Jul 15, 2025 | Do It Yourself Marine Electrical, Marine Electrical
1. Using Household Wire Instead of Marine-Grade Cable2. Improper or Missing Fusing3. Bad Connections and Poor Crimping4. Overloading Circuits5. Ignoring Corrosion and Water IntrusionFinal Thoughts from the Dock As a marine electrician working in the Seattle area, I’ve...
by Shawn Rutan | Jun 18, 2025 | Marine Electrical
What Are AC and DC Power?DC Power on Boats: The Core of Your Boat’s Electrical SystemAC Power on Boats: Shore Power and Larger SystemsManaging Both Systems: Inverters and ConvertersWhich System Matters More?Special Considerations for Seattle BoatersFinal Thoughts:...
