A lot of the time it depends on your slip. I know that for my slip, if I parked bow-in, my bow would be blocking the walkway. Otherwise, it seems to be a personal preference or regional choice (some areas seem to trend towards bow-in, others stern). Regarding the power cord, I would find one that is the right length rather than use extensions. I see extensions as something you may have to use when visiting another marina, but for your home port, get the right length. Obviously, if you do use an extension, make sure you have a weatherproof coupler on it.

 

I dock bow in for privacy but mostly for the view.

I connect three 25 ft electric cables and bundle them with a 75 ft shore water hose to reach the pedestal. I made it easy on myself and screwed in velcro straps all along the finger so the cables and hose would stay put. Then, when I leave the slip, I disconnect the cables and hose (with a quick connect attachment on the hose) from the boat, undo 3 of the velcro straps and curl up about 10 feet of the cable and hose and stow it in the steps that I had to install in order to board the boat b/c the swim platform sticks out past the finger pier, making it unsafe for boarding.

Jeez. Now, that I think about it. It was kind of a pain to set up but once done it was a sweet set up.

Oh, and I have another set of electric cables and a hose for travel which is necessary given that I leave all my cable on the dock.

 

We docked bow in this year, in a slip that was about level with the top of the front deck. The shore power cords are run along the side of the boat on the pier. Don't use extension cords, buy the right length cables.

Nick

 

What they said! It's a privacy thing for me, but I've switched to a 50amp boat.

Also, I don't know what type of cords you need but I have two custom 75' 30 Amp cables for sale if you (or anyone else) needs them.

 

I bow in for privacy and so I can drop my dinghy in the water at will. I have a 50 amp extension that I run down the bow to the connection. I keep the extension connection covered.

 

Depending on the slip I go either way. My home slip is just a pier sticking out from rocky shoreline. I can't get all the way in unless bow first. I like that better for privacy anyway. I use two 50' cords. At the connection I use a sealing collar. I don't know what might be available for 50amp cords but for my 30amp the collars keep the connection tight and dry. http://www.marinco.com/product/sealing-collar-threaded-ring

 

Almost everyone at my marina docks bow-in in order to get all the way into the slip as it is very shallow along the sea wall. I use two 50' cords that work just fine.

 

Thanks all! I closed on the boat today! I have a couple 30amp cords myself to sell. I'm not sure how long the 50amp cord that I have on this 470 is. It's one of those auto coil things. If it's only 50' then I'm sure I'll need an extension...or I can leave it coiled, and buy a single 75' cord.

 

Although the cord built in to the Cable master should be long enough to reach power outlets at the bow, you likely won't want to coil and recoil your 50A power cord every time you leave the dock. I would consider some standing cords to leave at the dock.

 

Thanks Converse48. That's what I was looking for. I think it's best to use the Cable Master as the traveling cable, and another cable(s) as the home port cable.