Embarrassed to say.....

....but after owning my boat for a couple weeks, just realized it does not have a fuse box. Everything is wired with an inline fuse which seems odd. Coming from someone who has built a couple hotrods (tbuckets) and a strong automotive background, never thought the boat wouldnt have one.

I let BPS install the new Garmin because it was free, but they used a cheap 3A inline which Im sure will be "ok" but after relocating the HB 386 up front, I found no fuse panel to tie into. I piggiebacked off the Garmin but got me to thinking. I want to add things like radio, box and deck lights, etc and only feel that a fuse box is a must. Any thoughts on more experienced boat owners would be appreciated as this is my first "real" boat.

install a buss bar/fuse box and a ground buss bar under the console and reroute all your wiring to it, using heat shrink connectors. west marine or any boat store will have them. make sure your not killing any of your warranty by doing it though.

Pretty standard atleast on the older boats that i have had. It will be fine with the inline fuse but the battery compartment gets pretty messy with all the wires.

I plan on adding one myself at some point

I installed a second switch panel with built in fuses on my Xpress for accessories similar to what you speak of. I powered it with a dedicated circuit back to the battery. Mine too has the inline fuse setup you speak of on the factory switches. 3yrs now and no problems with it yet.

Yeah, I can definitely see a winter project of running some wiring/fuse box being planned.

I just installed a fuse box in my 17' Express last weekend to add some accessories. It went well with a 12' piece of metal electrical Fish tape and my 12 year old sons help..

Blueseas fuse box is pretty simple to install.

I just bought one of these to organize some of the additional things I've put on the boat.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281915905516?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT