The essentials in 30 seconds
- Complete refit for a 40-foot sailboat = 6-10 week project + €25,000-45,000 ex. VAT. Includes main display + radar + AIS + autopilot + anemometer + power (lithium pack). Plan now for the 2026-2027 winter layup.
- 8-step workshop method: existing system audit, sizing, coherent brand selection, equipment ordering, disassembly, installation, software integration, final commissioning.
- 3 budget scenarios: light (~€18,000 ex. VAT, keep existing autopilot), standard (~€30,000 ex. VAT, full B&G or Raymarine refit), premium (~€45,000 ex. VAT, IRC racing with H5000 Performance + Madintec).
- Typical ROI: 8-12 years (modern electronics lifespan). Also increases resale value by 15-25% on the second-hand market.
- Choosing a coherent ecosystem is critical. Mixing brands degrades integration. For a 2026 refit, choose Raymarine OR B&G for 60-80% of the equipment; only third-party peripherals (AIS, handheld GPS, antennas) can be mixed.
Replacing all electronics on a 40-foot sailboat in a single operation is more cost-effective and performant than piecemeal upgrades over 5-10 years. Consistent ecosystem, uniform updates, optimal integration, and user training all in one go. This article outlines the Skysat workshop method in 8 steps, with budgeted scenarios.
Related topics: energy refit winter layup (lithium pack), GPS-fishfinder display (screen size), autopilot B&G vs. Raymarine.
Why a full refit vs. piecemeal upgrades
Four major technical reasons:
- Ecosystem coherence: mixing Raymarine + B&G + Garmin over 10 years degrades integration. A full refit allows everything to be aligned.
- Consistent wiring: clean NMEA 2000 backbone, uniform cable gauges, consistent fuses.
- Economies of scale: installation labor costs 25-35% lower in a full refit vs. separate interventions over 5-10 years.
- Clean documentation: up-to-date schematics, retained manuals, single training session for the owner.
Step 1 — Existing system audit
Comprehensive assessment before any material choices:
- Current equipment inventory: brand, model, age, functionality.
- Electrical schematic: retrieve from the original yard or redraw.
- Recent failures and owner-perceived limitations (1-2 hour interview).
- 24-hour power consumption measurement with a shunt during typical sailing (1-2 weeks).
- Detailed photos of each station (display, autopilot, batteries, switchboard).
Step 2 — Sizing and ecosystem selection
Based on the audit, key decisions:
- Main ecosystem: B&G (sailboat + racing focus) or Raymarine (versatile cruising). 60-80% of equipment in this ecosystem.
- Display size: 12-inch standard for a 40-foot sailboat (see display article).
- Autopilot: keep existing ram if <10 years old or full refit (see ram article).
- Power: lithium conversion if not already done (see lithium plug & play article).
Step 3 — Equipment ordering
Bulk order to optimize lead times and logistics:
- Consolidated quotes from 1-2 distributors (Skysat, Mister Marine, Defender, etc.).
- Manufacturer lead times: Raymarine 2-4 weeks, B&G 3-6 weeks, MG Energy 8-12 weeks.
- Book workshop slot immediately upon ordering (limited winter capacity).
- "Consumables" list: cables, fuses, connectors, etc.
Step 4 — Disassembly and preparation
Dry dock for 1 week:
- Remove old equipment (display, screens, sensors, batteries).
- Sort: second-hand sale (~30% of new value), electronics recycling, waste.
- Deep clean of locations (corrosion, moisture, painting).
- Structural checks (mounts, watertightness, hull sections for cable passes).
Step 5 — Hardware installation
Workshop for 2-3 weeks:
- Run cables up the mast (display, VHF antenna, wind sensors, GPS).
- Install NMEA 2000 backbone (see NMEA 2000 article).
- Mount main display at the helm, secondary screens, remote controls.
- Install autopilot (ram + computer + rudder angle sensors + compass).
- Power: lithium pack + BMS + DC-DC converter + monitoring (see energy refit article).
Step 6 — Software integration
Cross-configuration:
- Sensor calibration (compass, rudder angle, wind, speed, depth).
- NMEA 2000 coupling between all sources (AIS → chartplotter, autopilot ↔ compass).
- Chart import (Navionics+ Raymarine or C-MAP B&G).
- Autopilot configuration (modes, gains, polars if available).
- BMS, DC-DC testing; voltage and threshold programming.
Step 7 — Commissioning and testing
Final validation over 2-3 days:
- Dock test: all screens, all sensors, all communications.
- Engine test (alternator, DC-DC converter, starting).
- Water test and sailing: autopilot at sea, speed-over-ground vs. GPS, depth, wind.
- VHF antenna VSWR calibration.
- ASN/DSC test on channel 70.
Step 8 — User training
2-3 sessions with the owner:
- Tour of display features: charts, fishfinder, AIS, radar, autopilot.
- Emergency procedures: ASN/DSC, EPIRB (if installed), MOB.
- Seasonal maintenance: antifouling for transducer, sensor cleaning, BMS checks.
- Documentation provided: manuals, schematics, after-sales contacts.
3 budget scenarios with figures
| Item | Light (€18,000 ex. VAT) | Standard (€30,000 ex. VAT) | Premium (€45,000 ex. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main display | Axiom+ 9 (€1,800) | Axiom Pro 12 or Zeus 3S 12 (€3,500) | Zeus 3S 12 + 30/30HV (€5,200) |
| Secondary display | — | 1 × 9-inch repeater | 1 × Axiom Pro 9 or Vulcan 9 R (€2,000) |
| Radar | — | Quantum 2 or HALO20+ (€2,000) | HALO24 or Fantom 24 (€3,200) |
| AIS | AIS-RX VHF (V60 = €723) | V60-B Class B VHF AIS (€1,049) | V60-B + GPS-500 (€1,154) |
| Anemometer | WS320 wireless pack (€1,499) | WS710 vertical wired (€2,043) | WS720S Ocean spec (€2,865) |
| Autopilot | Keep existing if serviceable | B&G T1 ram + NAC-3 (€3,400) | H5000 Performance CPU + ram (€5,800) |
| Lithium power | 200 Ah Smart pack (€2,200) | 200 Ah pack + Lynx Smart BMS (€3,400) | 300 Ah pack + MultiPlus + solar (€8,500) |
| Labor | ~ €4,000 | ~ €7,000 | ~ €12,000 |
| TOTAL ex. VAT | ~ €18,000 | ~ €30,000 | ~ €45,000 |
FAQ — Electronic refit for a 40-foot sailboat
How long does a full refit take?
6-10 weeks in dry dock + water trials. Plan for winter layup (Oct-Mar) to minimize seasonal impact. Pre-order equipment 4-6 months before starting the workshop to secure availability and a slot.
What is the ROI on a €30,000 ex. VAT refit?
Multiple angles: (1) modern electronics lifespan 8-12 years = annual depreciation ~€2,500-3,750; (2) resale value: +15-25% depending on the market; (3) usage: modern electronics = increased safety + doubled battery autonomy + transformed onboard comfort. ROI is multidimensional, not just financial.
Can the refit be done in multiple phases?
Possible but suboptimal. Compromises on ecosystem coherence and integration. Cumulative costs higher (~+20-30% vs. full refit). Consider only if serious budget constraints or if Phase 1 requires testing before Phase 2.
Does the mast need to be lowered for the refit?
Not mandatory but practical. If the mast is being lowered for other reasons (painting, rigging inspection), take the opportunity to rewire VHF, wind sensor, GPS antenna. Otherwise, the refit can be done with the mast in place using existing cables or capelage.
What warranty applies after a Skysat refit?
Manufacturer warranty on hardware: 2-5 years depending on brand (Raymarine 2 years, B&G 2 years, Garmin 2 years, Victron 5 years NG). Skysat labor warranty: 12 months. Annual maintenance contract available (~€800 ex. VAT/year) for full preventive service.
Skysat operates an integrated workshop in Carnac (Brittany) with 4 teams specialized in sailboat refits. This article reflects our standard method applied to 50+ refits of 40-45 foot sailboats 2022-2026. 2026 ex. VAT prices are indicative distributor quotes.
