Electrical systems overhaul and scuba setup on a Dolphin 46 catamaran
The Manaia Marine team are experts in Raymarine and Victron equipment, and this project gave us an opportunity to demonstrate our expertise.
Our clients are the owners of 2008 Dolphin 46 catamaran and in early 2024 they came to us with an extensive project list. It included installation of a new dive compressor, inverter, generator, cabinetry building and detailing.
Our clients selected the Bauer Junior II Dive Compressor because of its compact size, which meant it would fit well on their vessel. Next, a generator was needed to run a new dive compressor.
After significant research we decided to go with a new Eneon 6kw EM600. An interior cabinet was customised to hold it. Initially it was thought we’d have to make a hole in the bulkhead to fit it, but we managed to avoid this. Fresh wiring was laid to support the generator. The call was made to run the dive compressor at 230v instead of 110v due to this increasing the efficiency of the dive compressor and the wiring run.
The AC output was also run through a Victron Autotransformer to feed the boat’s 110v system. A new Victron MultiPlus 3000VA inverter was installed to replace their previous inverter which no longer worked.
To finish setting up the vessel for scuba diving, a custom tank rack was built on the aft seating area with a remote filling station.
A Starlink Maritime system was installed on the stern supported by a custom made stainless steel bracket made by Invil Fabricators.
Progress Photos
Two 150/60 Victron SmartSolar controllers were installed by our qualified electrician. These solar chargers gather the energy from the solar panels and store it in the vessel’s batteries and are designed to maximise this amount of energy harvested.
Our clients also wanted an upgrade to their DC switchboard, so our team installed a Raymarine YachtSense Digital Control System, a top of the line modern vessel automation system.
The PredictWind DataHub with an NMEA connection to the RayMarine system was installed. PredictWind connects to the NMEA network and shares live location and weather data, and means people you share a link with can remotely monitor your position and weather. It's a useful safety feature and means friends and family members can see where you are and can be notified if you go off course.
Next to be added was a Victron GX70 monitor to give our clients a single system to monitor tanks, solar, batteries etc. using a touch screen.
While a lot of this project involved electronics, we also kept our engineers busy. The vessel was hauled out at Marsden Cove Hardstand. The rudders needed to be dropped, and when we did this we found that the port rudder stock had corrosion and some cracks. The call was made to replace the rudder completely, and Cove Boatworks and Invil were brought on to assist. Antifouling was completed by Cove Boatworks (you can find a photo of this process on their website) and their team of boatbuilders also helped with the cabinetry builds inside the vessel.
Our clients were overseas for the majority of the project in the United States so most of our communication was done over Whatsapp. Before their return Cove Vessel Care was brought in to complete interior detailing, and the hull was polished and waxed, a dual effort by us and Cove Boatworks. Fresh signage was also created and placed onto the vessel by Frankensignz.
This project couldn’t have been completed without the excellent work completed by local contractors.
Manaia Marine are based in Marsden Cove next to the Marsden Cove Marina and Hardstand and specialise in project and yard period management. Marsden Cove is an ideal place for yacht owners wanting to complete refit, maintenance or upgrade projects.
Contact us today by phone or WhatsApp on +64 27 343 3361 to discuss your work list.
Alternatively email us on info@manaimarine.co.nz.