Rumba
Living Off-Grid on the Water: How the Right Marine Electrical System Changed Life Aboard "Rumba"
When it comes to marine electrical systems, real-world performance matters more than anything. For liveaboard boat owners, reliability, efficiency, and expert system design aren’t just conveniences they’re essential.
For Paul Pryor, owner of the 43-foot steel cruiser "Rumba", choosing the right marine electrician completely transformed life on the water.
A Vessel with History and Electrical Challenges
Paul has owned "Rumba" for over 23 years. Like many long-term boat owners, he had worked with various auto and marine electricians over the years, often dealing with inconsistent results and systems that didn’t quite deliver what was promised.
That all changed around seven years ago when Paul was introduced to Stephen Sweeney of Sweens Auto & Marine Electrical.
What followed was not just an upgrade but a complete rethink of how "Rumba" was powered.
Designing a True Off-Grid Power System
Working together, Paul and Steve designed and installed a comprehensive off-grid electrical system built for real-world, liveaboard use.
The system included:
1400 watts of solar
Victron solar controller
6 × 12V Revolution Lithium LiFePO₄ deep-cycle batteries
3000W Victron Quattro inverter/charger
50-amp Victron charger
2 × DC/DC chargers from the start batteries
Electrolux 3000W 240V alternator
Victron control system integration
5.8kW Westerbeke genset
Deep Sea Electronics auto-start system
Complete rewire of the vessel
Every component was designed to work seamlessly together delivering efficiency, redundancy, and long-term reliability.
Seven Years Living Off-Grid Without a Marina
The result exceeded expectations.
For the past seven years, Paul and his partner have lived aboard "Rumba" without being in a marina, running entirely on 240-volt power. The system has proven not only reliable, but robust enough to handle daily life on the water without compromise.
“The system has worked better than we ever expected,” Paul explains.
His only regret? Not switching to a 24-volt system from the beginning advice that Steve had recommended early on.
“That would have made an already great system even better,” Paul admits. “But even so, what we have works brilliantly.”
Why Experience and After-Sales Support Matter
For Paul, the biggest difference wasn’t just the hardware it was the expertise and ongoing support.
“The best part of using a quality business to design, supply, and install your system is the after-sales service,” he says.
“If anything goes wrong or you don’t understand something, there’s someone to call. Steve has never let me down.”
That level of trust comes from working with someone who understands marine systems inside and out and stands behind their work long after installation is complete.
Built to Last On the Water
Paul’s story is a perfect example of what thoughtful design, quality components, and experienced installation can achieve.
Whether it’s living off-grid, upgrading an existing system, or designing a vessel’s electrical system from scratch, Sweens Auto & Marine Electrical delivers solutions that perform in the real world not just on paper.
