I found out this fuse existed on an overnight to Booth Bay Maine about 2am all electric shut off. It was blowing 20+ and we were screaming at about 10+ downwind wing on wing having a blast, until then. I could not for the life of me find what the issue was but I figured it must be a ground or something since everything went out at once. We could also still start the motor so I was not to worried, just curious what the issue was. It turned out to be the fuse holder came a part. I looked at it 10 times that night but thought it was to the flexible solar panel that the boat came with so I did not put it back together. I just never thought a 5A (yes mine was a small fuse) fuse would be in-line with the whole fuse panel.
Luckly I carry a battery gps and handheld VHF so we were safe accept for the running lights but I also have a battery powered spot light that we hit the sails with if we saw a fishing boat.
I replaced with a 30A blade type of fuse, but still wondered why the fuse panel was fused??? Sounds like no-one is quite sure.
