Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We regularly install, configure, and service leading marine electronics brands including Garmin, Raymarine, B&G, Simrad, Fusion, JL Audio, Victron, and other trusted manufacturers. Our experience across multiple equipment platforms allows us to design systems around the boat rather than limiting customers to a single brand or product line.

We recommend equipment based on how you use your boat, the existing systems onboard, and your goals for the upgrade. Whether you're replacing a single piece of equipment or planning a complete electronics refit, we can help select components that work together as a reliable, integrated system.

We work on a wide range of sailboats and powerboats, from smaller recreational vessels to larger yachts and cruising boats. While every project is different, many of our larger upgrade and refit projects involve 40- to 60-foot sailboats and powerboats being prepared for extended cruising or racing.

We work with both newer and older vessels, including boats that need to modernize outdated electrical systems, replace aging electronics, or integrate new technology with existing equipment. Our approach is based on the boat's layout, existing systems, intended use, and the owner's goals for the upgrade.

Absolutely. Modernizing older boats is a major part of the work we do. Many well-built boats have years of useful life ahead of them, but their electrical systems, batteries, charging equipment, navigation electronics, and other technology may be outdated or no longer suited to how the boat is being used.

We help bring these vessels into the modern era through upgrades such as lithium battery systems, marine solar, modern charging and power management, updated navigation electronics, radar, communications, sailing instruments, and integrated marine networks. For cruising boats, we can approach the project as a complete electrical and electronics refit designed around reliability, efficiency, and the demands of extended time aboard.

Recent example of modernizing an older boat: DeFever 45 Yacht Gets a Complete Marine Electrical & Power Management Upgrade

Yes. We provide on-site marine electronics and electrical service throughout San Diego, working with boats at local marinas, boatyards, and storage facilities. Whether a vessel is in the water or on the hard, we coordinate the work around the boat's location and project requirements to minimize downtime.

For larger electrical and electronics upgrades, we can also coordinate boats to be brought to our location at Safe Harbor Sunroad Marina in San Diego. This provides a convenient setting for more involved refits where multiple systems need to be upgraded, integrated, tested, and commissioned as part of a larger project.

We focus on quality, transparency, and long-term reliability. Our goal is not to sell unnecessary equipment or push a one-size-fits-all solution. We take the time to understand how you use your boat, what you want to accomplish, and how the existing systems can be improved before recommending an upgrade.

Our work is guided by ABYC standards and NMEA best practices, with an emphasis on clean installations, proper system integration, and serviceability for the years ahead. Whether we're installing a single piece of electronics or completing a larger electrical and electronics refit, we approach the project as if the boat were our own.

Check out this recent lithium upgrade. We take great pride in the quality of work we do.

Project timelines vary significantly depending on the size and complexity of the project, the condition of the existing systems, and equipment availability. Smaller installations or straightforward upgrades may take a day or two, while larger electrical and electronics refits can take several weeks.

For larger projects, we develop a plan around the scope of work and communicate expected timing before work begins. We also keep customers informed as the project progresses, particularly if we uncover existing system issues or other conditions that affect the original plan. Our goal is to complete the work thoroughly rather than rush a complex upgrade simply to get the boat back in the water.

Getting started is easy. Contact Upgrade Marine to tell us about your boat, what you would like to upgrade, and what you are hoping to accomplish. For larger projects, we can discuss the existing electrical and electronics systems, your cruising plans, and the scope of the refit to determine what makes sense for the vessel.

Fill out our Upgrade Now form and provide as much information as you can, including the boat's make and model, current equipment, and the type of upgrade you're considering. We'll review the details and follow up to discuss the project, answer questions, and determine the next steps.