The essentials in 30 seconds
- Complete refit of a 40-foot sailboat = 6-10 weeks of work + €25,000-45,000 VAT excluded. Includes main display + radar + AIS + autopilot + anemometer + power (lithium bank). Plan for winter lay-up 2026-2027 now.
- 8-step workshop method: existing system audit, sizing, consistent brand selection, equipment ordering, dismantling, installation, integration, final commissioning.
- 3 budget scenarios: light (~ €18,000 VAT excluded, keep existing autopilot), standard (~ €30,000 VAT excluded, full B&G or Raymarine refit), premium (~ €45,000 VAT excluded, 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.
- Consistent ecosystem choice is crucial. Mixing brands leads to integration loss. For a 2026 refit, choose Raymarine OR B&G for 60-80% of the equipment; only third-party peripherals (AIS, portable GPS, antennas) can be mixed.
Overhauling 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 done once. This article outlines the Skysat workshop method in 8 steps, with budget scenarios.
Related topics: energy refit winter lay-up (lithium bank), GPS-fishfinder display (screen size), autopilot B&G vs. Raymarine.
Why a complete refit vs. piecemeal upgrades
Four major technical reasons:
- Consistent ecosystem: mixing Raymarine + B&G + Garmin over 10 years degrades integration. A complete refit aligns everything.
- Uniform wiring: clean NMEA 2000 backbone, consistent cable gauges, matched fuses.
- Cost savings: installation labor -25 to -35% for a complete refit vs. separate interventions over 5-10 years.
- Clean documentation: up-to-date schematics, retained manuals, client training in one session.
Step 1 — Audit of existing systems
Comprehensive inventory before any material selection:
- Current equipment inventory: brand, model, age, functionality.
- Electrical diagram: retrieve from original yard or redraw.
- Recent faults and owner-perceived limitations (1-2 h interview).
- 24 h power draw measurement with 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 40-foot sailboats (see display article).
- Autopilot: keep existing ram if <10 years 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 after ordering (limited winter capacity).
- "Consumable" parts list: cables, fuses, connectors, etc.
Step 4 — Dismantling and preparation
Dry dock work: 1 week
- Remove old equipment (displays, screens, sensors, batteries).
- Sort: second-hand sale (~30% of new value), electronics recycling, waste.
- Deep clean mounting locations (corrosion, moisture, paint touch-ups).
- Check structure (mounts, watertightness, hull sections for cable runs).
Step 5 — Hardware installation
Workshop time: 2-3 weeks
- Run cables up the mast (main display, VHF antenna, wind sensors, GPS).
- Install NMEA 2000 backbone (see NMEA 2000 article).
- Mount main display at helm, secondary screens, remote controls.
- Install autopilot (ram + computer + rudder angle sensors + compass).
- Power: lithium bank + BMS + DC-DC + monitoring (see power refit article).
Step 6 — Software integration
Cross-configuration:
- Calibrate sensors (compass, rudder angle, wind, speed, depth).
- Link NMEA 2000 sources (AIS → chartplotter, autopilot ↔ compass).
- Import charts (Navionics+ Raymarine or C-MAP B&G).
- Configure autopilot (modes, gains, polars if available).
- Test BMS, DC-DC, set voltage thresholds.
Step 7 — Commissioning and testing
Final validation: 2-3 days
- Dock test: all displays, all sensors, all communications.
- Engine test (alternator, DC-DC, start-up).
- Sea trial and sailing test: autopilot at sea, speed-over-ground vs. GPS, depth, wind.
- Calibrate VHF antenna VSWR.
- Test ASN/DSC on channel 70.
Step 8 — User training
2-3 sessions with owner:
- Walkthrough of display features: charts, fishfinder, AIS, radar, autopilot.
- Emergency procedures: ASN/DSC, EPIRB (if installed), MOB.
- Seasonal maintenance: antifouling fishfinder, sensor cleaning, BMS checks.
- Documentation provided: manuals, schematics, service contacts.
3 budget scenarios with cost breakdown
| Item | Light (€18,000 VAT excluded) | Standard (€30,000 VAT excluded) | Premium (€45,000 VAT excluded) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 bank | 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 VAT excluded | ~ €18,000 | ~ €30,000 | ~ €45,000 |
FAQ — Electronic refit for a 40-foot sailboat
How long does a complete refit take?
6-10 weeks dry dock + wet work. Plan for winter lay-up (Oct-Mar) to minimize seasonal impact. Pre-order equipment 4-6 months before starting to secure availability and workshop slot.
What is the ROI on a €30,000 VAT excluded refit?
Multiple angles: (1) modern electronics lifespan 8-12 years = annual amortization ~ €2,500-3,750; (2) resale value: +15-25% depending on market; (3) usage: modern electronics = increased safety + doubled battery autonomy + transformed onboard comfort. ROI is multidimensional, not purely financial.
Can the refit be done in multiple phases?
Possible but suboptimal. Compromises on ecosystem consistency and integration. Cumulative costs higher (~ +20-30% vs. complete refit). Only consider if serious budget constraints or if phase 1 requires testing before phase 2.
Is it necessary to lower the mast for a refit?
Not mandatory but practical. If the mast is being lowered for other reasons (paint, rigging inspection), take the opportunity to rewire VHF, wind sensor, GPS antenna. Otherwise, refit can be done with mast in place using existing cable runs or capeling.
What warranty applies after a Skysat refit?
Manufacturer warranty on equipment: 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 VAT excluded) 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 VAT-excluded prices are indicative of authorized distributor rates.
