Question about shore power

LetsRock

LetsRock

New Member
Dec 16, 2009
405
Long Island
Boat Info
1990 Sea Ray 220DA
Engines
Mercruiser 5.7 liter, 265HP, Garmin 541s
All - I am fairly new to the boating world and I have been trailering my boats until my recent purchase of a 1990 220DA. I am now looking for a slip since trailering this boat would be a pain in the neck.

My question is, the boat is not equipt for shore power so I was wondering if thats a problem. I know I can have it installed but wanted to know what I need to do without shore power. Do I simly leave oner battery with the bildge running all the time? Are there other things I need to watch out for?
 
Last edited:
I would look for a marina with dry stack capability before I went to wet slip. Boat stays much cleaner and is easier to service.
 
I agree w/ dp. However, if you do decide to slip the boat, your bilge pump should have a working float switch, wired directly to a battery. You will have to test it often as well as keeping the batteries in top condition. Again, If you can dry stack it. Do so.
 
Interesting, is it mainly because of the no shore power capability of my boat or is that the consenus anyway. My wife and I would love to hang out on the boat in the slip but of course I want to make sure the boat is not at risk either. If the bildge/battery is properly working then is it safe?
 
MWPH - when you say test it, is it as easy as pouring water into the bildge areas ( this boat has 2 pumps) to make sure they kick on?
 
Pumps work on a float. With the batteries in the off position, lift the float and the pump should still work. You should check both pumps in this manner.
 
Gotcha, so if they work properly I dont need to leave a baterry on when not using the boat or is that still a good idea?
 
Turn battery switch off when away....pumps should be direct wired to batterys and uneffected by switch position.
 
Are you going to leave it in the water year round? If so what are you going to do about bilge heat?
 
No, only during the boating season then I will trailer it home for the winter months.
 
I check my switches by running water into the bildge. I just have a fear of the exit hose being clogged or leaking somewhere. I like to see the water exiting the boat.

As far as "hanging out at the slip". You may want to look into adding shore power capabilities. Otherwise you are limited to what your batteries can supply. Which is not much for not very long.
 
It's easy enough to install a simple shorepower system with a small panel to provide an outlet and power a battery charger.

I wouldn't have a boat wet-slipped without a battery charger to keep the batteries charged. Even a small leak that might develop could quickly kill a battery. That's how most boats sink- in the slip.

The other issue is an I/O in saltwater (at least, I assume that because your info sez Long Island). Do a search, lots of discussion on increased maintenance costs.
 
I won't be suprized if you start looking for upgrade after you try to keep the boat in a slip. This is how you transition from trailer boats to boats in slip "the summer house". Besides all the suggestions on the shore power to keep the batteries always charged and watching out for the outdrives don't forget that you'll have to maintain the buttom paint and outdrive paint. Also, make sure you have fresh zinks.
 
The issue of "dry stack" vs "wet slip" is as much cultural as economic. There are those that really, really value the "marina" experience. You know. . hanging out on the boat drinking beer with your boating neighbors.

Dry stack has definate pros and cons. The pros relate to bottom maintenance and the fact that it is REALLY hard to sink a boat in a dry stack. You can (hopefully) effectively flush the engines If salt water every weekend, and really extend the life of the exhaust system. Remember. . a boat with an I/O drive has some pretty big thru-hulls. Also. . .how are the bellows? If you develop a slow leak . . .it's not a big deal if you have shore power and dual bilge pumps. If you have a slow leak and no shore power, then you are on a *clock*, right?

If you do wet slip. . .most people in your area repaint annually, and the use of shore power for the bilge pumps is a real plus.

The cons for dry stacking relate to access and care. You will have some low paid fork lift operator lifting your boat twice every week. You actually have to arrange for the low paid guy twice every week. How easy do they make it for you? Do they encourage phoning on your way over, or do they require scheduling? Do they have weekend slips?

I am in private residence area. Most of the boats are effectively wet slipped. Most of the boats on the back lagoons that are not exposed to wave action do not have lifts, although I am seeing a few boat lifts installed every year (in my area, this is about $10-$20K after electrical and DEP permits). Boats that see wave action are mostly sitting on lifts. I have not seen dry stacks in the marinas around where I am. I do see a few boat lifts in the marinas.

If I bought my boat new, I would have put in a lift because of the maintenance issues. If I was in a marina, and dry stacking was actually *cheaper*, I would definately go that route.
 
I'll have to agree with the dry stack for your situation. Shore power is very nice when the boat came equipped as such. Adding a simple charger to your boat can be easy done via cockpit 12v power plug and batt booster pack. Wiring one up in the bilge you'll need to be cautious of potential gasoline explosions from non marine equipment and wiring practices.

Now heres your plan: Maybe spend a few nights on the boat in a wet slip. Keep a booster pack charged up on board just in case. Then get into a boat with a stand up head, kitchen sink and shore power. worked for me! cheers ... Ron
 
Thank you all for the feedback. The wet slip thing isnt a social thing at all for me its more of a convience thing. In any event does anyone have a guess as to around how much it would cost to have shore power installed? Would having it installed to a boat not initially set up for this have the same effect as if it was originally installed?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,228
Messages
1,428,964
Members
61,120
Latest member
jingenio
Back
Top