Our boat & the adventure ahead

Além Mar.

A family adventure starts with getting to know the boat. Here are the repairs, improvements, and lessons from preparing our Bayliner 4788.

Além Mar, our Bayliner 4788.

The boatBayliner 4788

The goalThe Great Loop

The chapterPreparation

Aboard the project list

All projects

Além Mar · Troubleshooting

When the stern thruster stopped talking

A silent controller, a corroded board, and the repair-versus-replacement options: $650 for a possible board repair or $1,319.30 for a reconditioned controller before tax and shipping.

InvestigatingUpdated October 2026

Além Mar · Electrical

Getting to know the house batteries

A $92.64 SmartShunt purchase, the installation expenses, and the readings that still need a trustworthy battery baseline.

CommissioningUpdated October 2026

Além Mar · Electronics

The radar that went off the radar

A $1,050 repair quote versus a Quantum 2 upgrade: the factory bill, the unsuccessful antenna test, and $2,163.47 in documented spending before installation.

Upgrade purchasedUpdated October 2026

Além Mar · Electrical

When shore power lost its cool

A burned 50 A connection, a $267.18 SmartPlug conversion kit, and a supposedly quick cord-end replacement that turned into many hours of fitting and troubleshooting.

Cord end assembled · inlet pendingUpdated October 2026

Além Mar · Cabin improvements

The TV got bigger. So did the project.

A 32-inch TV order became a 43-inch delivery, and a ceiling mount became a project involving backing plates, deck protection, and $325.92 in recorded purchases.

Installation plannedUpdated October 2026