Shakedown preparations

Shortly before the post-restoration voyage to Poole, Ali Wood gets to grips with the rewire, new electronics and passage planning

- Ali Wood

The day was approaching for Maximus’s shakedown cruise, a two-day voyage from Chichester to her new home at Cobbs Quay Marina, Poole.

We’d spent six months restoring the Maxi 84. We’d prepped the hull and keel, polished the topsides, replaced skin fittings, engine filters and electronics – and were finishing off a full rewire.

My husband, James, spruced up the hull stripe with a regal shade of blue and PBO contributor Gilbert Park had refurbished the heads.

We’d had a helping hand from so many friends and experts, and while above decks there was still plenty to do, her rig was sound, she was seaworthy and ready to go sailing.

Now it was time to plan the passage and get to grips with our new electronics.

Electronics walk-through

With the rewire now complete I met our electrician Adam McMenemy from ACM Marine at Chichester Marina.

Together with Gilbert, who’d be joining us on the voyage, we had a walk-through to familiarise ourselves with the boat’s new electrics.

Starting in the cockpit, Adam showed us the shore power connection lead and the RCD breaker box underneath, with its test trip button.

“That’s your first protection,” said Adam. “The power goes into the boat and into the RCD. This is what saves your life.”

He explained the importance of always connecting the shore power cable to the boat first and then the shore power socket, and disconnecting in reverse (mains first) so you’re not walking around with the live current.