I did rather fancy 24v to start with, but switched back to 12v to try and simplify sourcing things. 12v still seems the norm even on bigger boats.

I also seriously considered having at least 2 distribution panels, both fed from the batteries, one port and one starboard, to reduce the length of the cable runs, but in the end went with one single 32 way BEP circuit breaker panel mounted quite close to amidships. I have tried to keep the high load items (radar, watermaker etc) close to the distribution panel

We have wires everywhere, at a guess I would estimate close to half a kilometer of 4mm twin cable snaking though the bilges, in the roof and crossing the boat both for and aft, there always seems something we have forgotten to wire.

Lighting

All lighting is LED cabin lights including all navigation lights, LED for the cabins as they draw very little current and its amazing how much you pull out of the battery bank when anchored in your favourate spot for days on end. LEDs for the navigation as they draw a fraction of their halogen equivilant and should last the life of the boat.

Lightening Protection

I have not really done anything about this at the moment, and have no plans to, I might before I do some long distance, sort of far away from the land sailing but we will see. As each side of the boat is pretty well independent of the other, an electrical failure, like the drinking water pump should not spoil ones holiday and time out, I will be carrying various spares of course anyway.