The essentials in 30 seconds
- Full refit of a 40-foot sailboat = 6-10 week project + €25,000-45,000 ex-VAT. Includes main display + radar + AIS + autopilot + wind transducer + power (lithium pack). Plan for winter refit 2026-2027 now.
- 8-step workshop method: existing audit, sizing, brand selection, equipment order, 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 used market.
- Consistent ecosystem choice is critical. Mixing brands = integration loss. For a 2026 refit, choose Raymarine OR B&G as the primary system (60-80% of equipment); 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 single user training session. This article outlines the Skysat workshop method in 8 steps, with budgeted scenarios.
Related topics: energy refit winter 2026-2027 (lithium pack), GPS-fishfinder display (screen size), autopilot B&G vs. Raymarine.
Why a full refit vs. piecemeal upgrades
Four major technical reasons:
- Consistent ecosystem: mixing Raymarine + B&G + Garmin over 10 years = degraded integration. A full refit allows alignment.
- Homogeneous wiring: clean NMEA 2000 backbone, consistent cable gauges, matching fuses.
- Economies of scale: installation labor -25 to -35% for a full refit vs. separate interventions over 5-10 years.
- Clean documentation: up-to-date schematics, retained manuals, single user training session.
Step 1 — Existing system audit
Comprehensive assessment before any material selection:
- Current equipment inventory: brand, model, age, functionality.
- Electrical diagram: retrieve from original yard or redraw.
- Recent failures and owner-perceived limitations (1-2 h interview).
- 24-hour 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
Grouped order to optimize lead times and logistics:
- Cumulative 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.
- Secure workshop slot upon order placement (limited winter capacity).
- "Consumables" parts list: cables, fuses, connectors, etc.
Step 4 — Disassembly and preparation
Dry dock for 1 week:
- Remove old equipment (displays, screens, sensors, batteries).
- Sort: resell used (~30% of new value), recycle electronics, dispose of waste.
- Deep clean mounting locations (corrosion, moisture, repaint).
- Check structure (mounts, watertightness, hull sections for cable passes).
Step 5 — Hardware installation
Workshop for 2-3 weeks:
- Run cables in mast (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 sensor + compass).
- Power: lithium pack + BMS + DC-DC + 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:
- Dockside test: all displays, all sensors, all communications.
- Engine test (alternator, DC-DC, starting).
- Water test and sailing: autopilot at sea, speed-through-water 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 check.
- Documentation provided: manuals, schematics, service contacts.
3 budget scenarios with pricing
| 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 VHF AIS Class B (€1,049) | V60-B + GPS-500 (€1,154) |
| Wind transducer | 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 dry dock + 1 week wet commissioning. Plan for winter refit (Oct-Mar) to minimize seasonal impact. Pre-order 4-6 months before workshop start to secure material availability and 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 market; (3) usage: modern electronics = improved 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 consistency 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.
Is mast removal required for the refit?
Not mandatory but practical. If the mast must be removed for other reasons (paint, rigging check), take the opportunity to replace VHF cabling, wind sensor, and GPS antenna. Otherwise, refit can be done with mast in place using existing cables 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 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 for authorized distributor.
