Cleaning Shore Power Cord
- Thread starter jviss
- Start date
Way back when we first bought our boat, Hubbell ran an ad for a braided cord cover. It could be compressed and made large enough to fit the big cord end into it. It was just a matter of milking the entire cord into the cover. Then the ends were taped or zip tied to keep it in place. You could also include a phone cord, cable hookup. I said it was a long time ago. No more sticky plasticizer on the deck. It lasted over 30 years. The nice thing was that it was removable if need be. It did come in a 50' length. A few years later when we bought a 25' cord I found that Hubbell quit making it. However an Amazon search yielded a black version that worked equally well. Here's the link:
It does stiffen the cord somewhat so you might have to roll the cord for storage.
I've attached the instructions for my first cover. Sorry, no brochure. The photo shows my 25' cord with cover on the stern.
It does stiffen the cord somewhat so you might have to roll the cord for storage.
I've attached the instructions for my first cover. Sorry, no brochure. The photo shows my 25' cord with cover on the stern.
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As I said, I only rarely ever use this cord. Once I clean it I think I'll make a storage bag for it, and a way to hang it in the cockpit locker rather than lay it on the bottom. Same for my water hose. I have Sunbrella and a heavy duty sewing machine, so let's see....
The "not cleaning" comment was intended to be neither useless nor insulting. Sorry. It was just emphatic.
Vinyl that has become stained and begun to bleed plasticizers to the surface is notoriously difficult to clean and it doesn't stay that way. The OP stated he only used the cord twice a year, so cleaning it, only have it become dirty again within 1-2 uses, is cruel. I think he did not understand just how quickly vinyl does that. This is also why so many suggested covers rather than cleaning. I'm not alone.
It is just the nature of vinyl fenders and cords. I hate to see sailor waste elbow grease because of a mistaken belief that clean is always important or even achievable. Clean deck, linens, and carpets, yes. Clean fenders and cords, not so much.
Vinyl that has become stained and begun to bleed plasticizers to the surface is notoriously difficult to clean and it doesn't stay that way. The OP stated he only used the cord twice a year, so cleaning it, only have it become dirty again within 1-2 uses, is cruel. I think he did not understand just how quickly vinyl does that. This is also why so many suggested covers rather than cleaning. I'm not alone.
It is just the nature of vinyl fenders and cords. I hate to see sailor waste elbow grease because of a mistaken belief that clean is always important or even achievable. Clean deck, linens, and carpets, yes. Clean fenders and cords, not so much.
So, mine is not gooey after many years in the Louisiana sun.. but it is quite black. It is the black cord on the left side.. My docck lines are black so everything matches.. 
.. The bue lines are "storm" lines that double up the normal lines for nasty weather.
Yes, that is my wife in the lazarette ..
.. The bue lines are "storm" lines that double up the normal lines for nasty weather.Yes, that is my wife in the lazarette ..
The Admiral made our cord cover and dinghy chaps. There are nice plug covers on the boat side as well. She still has to make the plug covers for the shore side. 50' Velcro strip, and Sunbrella, covers our Smart Plug set up quite nicely.
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