I bought my first boat, 1978 Bass Cat, and its needs rewiring. I don't know a whole lot about electrical wiring so I was hoping someone might be able to help me out with drawing up a diagram to follow. Here are the items on the boat:

Bilge Pump

Aerator

Livewell fill pump

fuel gauge

speedometer

tachometer

temp gauge

voltage meter

Ignition

bow light

stern light

24 volt trolling motor

tilting control for raising and lowering motor

Many of the wires have spllices so I definately need to rewire. Most of them are disconnected too so I can't just trace them back one at a time and replace them. I have 3 new marine batteries to work with and I'm running a 1977 Chysler 115hp outboard. The wiring harness coming off of the motor looks good and the terminal block on the motor is labeled as to what each spot controls, I just have no idea how to bring everything in from the motor to the batteries and ingition then on to the switches and gauges. I expected to need a switch for the pumps, aerator, and light and possibly inline fuses for each.

Does anyone here the know how and time to generate a diagram for me? It would be a life saver! I've seen various diagrams online and the one that actually appears most useful is very blurry so I can't seem to make out what is going on.

Do you know how to read a schematic? That is alot of wireing and very complicated for the most part.

Yeah, I can read a schematic and I'm fairly handy with DIY projects.  I don't think that I'll have a problem following a plan, I just don't feel comfortable trying to draw it up myslef.  

Man I feel your pain. I think every car I bought when I was younger had been trashed under the dash. the boat seems to be one of those rip out selectively and replace since the moisture is bound to have hidden issues that will haunt you otherwise. I watched my dad struggle over the years with used boats, only to just rip and replace. Solder, solder, solder, solder and stay spade free.

I finally found a well done schematic which is legible.  It actually has much more on it than most bass boats need, but it will work well for the rewiring job.  Here's the link if anyone else is interested:

http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/pdf/wiring/240CS_dc_wiring_dual_battery.pdf

I have one other question though.  Most diagrams I've seen show an ignition with 4 posts.  Mine has 6.  Anyone know what each post should operate?  I was thinking start, ignition, accessory, and then I'm not sure what else.

You know you could contact customer service at Bass Cat and they might send you a complete diagram for that boat. Good luck.

I called them already.  They said they don't have diagrams for that old of models, but they were nice enough to offer help walking me through it over the phone if I run into problems.  The ignition however, is part of the motor which is an old Chrysler 115HP outboard and I can't find much info on the wiring of it.