The essentials in 30 seconds
- Complete refit for a 40-foot sailboat = 6-10 weeks of work + €25,000-45,000 ex. VAT. Includes main display + radar + AIS + autopilot + wind transducer + power (lithium bank). Plan for winter layup 2026-2027 now.
- 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, complete 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 used market.
- Choosing a coherent ecosystem is critical. Mixing brands leads to integration loss. For a 2026 refit, choose Raymarine OR B&G as the majority (60-80% of equipment); only third-party peripherals (AIS, portable GPS, antennas) can be mixed.
Completely overhauling the electronics of a 40-foot sailboat in a single operation is more cost-effective and performant than piecemeal upgrades over 5-10 years. Ecosystem coherence, uniform updates, optimal integration, and user training are all done at once. This article outlines the Skysat workshop method in 8 steps, with budget scenarios by category.
Related topics: energy refit for winter layup (lithium bank), GPS-fishfinder display (screen size), autopilot B&G vs. Raymarine.
Why a complete refit vs. piecemeal upgrades
Four major technical reasons:
- Ecosystem coherence: mixing Raymarine + B&G + Garmin over 10 years degrades integration. A complete refit allows alignment.
- Consistent cabling: clean NMEA 2000 backbone, uniform cable gauges, consistent fuses.
- Economies of scale: installation labor -25 to -35% for a complete refit vs. separate upgrades over 5-10 years.
- Clean documentation: up-to-date schematics, retained manuals, client training all at once.
Step 1 — Audit of existing systems
Comprehensive assessment before any material selection:
- Current equipment inventory: brand, model, age, functionality.
- Electrical schematic: retrieve from original yard or redraw.
- Recent failures and owner-perceived limitations (1-2 hour interview).
- 24-hour consumption 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 complete 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.
- Reserve workshop slot immediately after ordering (limited winter layup capacity).
- "Consumables" list: cables, fuses, connectors, etc.
Step 4 — Disassembly and preparation
Dry dock for 1 week:
- Remove old equipment (display, screens, sensors, batteries).
- Sorting: resale (~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).
- NMEA 2000 backbone installation (see NMEA 2000 article).
- Install main display at the helm, secondary screens, remote controls.
- Autopilot installation (ram + computer + rudder angle sensors + compass).
- Power: lithium bank + 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 for 2-3 days:
- Dock test: all displays, all sensors, all communications.
- Engine test (alternator, DC-DC, start-up).
- Water test and sailing: autopilot at sea, speed-over-ground vs. GPS, depth, wind.
- VHF antenna ROS 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 fishfinder, sensor cleaning, BMS checks.
- Documentation delivered: manuals, schematics, service contacts.
3 budget scenarios with detailed costs
| 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) |
| Wind transducer | WS320 wireless (€1,499 pack) | 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 complete refit take?
6-10 weeks in dry dock + wet testing. Plan for winter layup (Oct-Mar) to minimize seasonal impact. Pre-order materials 4-6 months before starting to ensure availability and workshop slot.
What is the ROI on a €30,000 ex. VAT refit?
Multiple angles: (1) modern electronics lifespan 8-12 years = annual amortization ~ €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. complete refit). Consider only if serious budget constraints or if phase 1 requires testing before phase 2.
Is it necessary to lower the mast for the refit?
Not mandatory but practical. If the mast must be lowered for other reasons (painting, rigging inspection), take the opportunity to rewire VHF, wind sensor, GPS antenna. Otherwise, refit is possible with 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 for 40-45 foot sailboats 2022-2026. 2026 ex. VAT prices are indicative and based on authorized distributor rates.
