Monday one of the other boat owners at Harbor Master marina, Lake Whitney TX informed me that the marina manager said that it is not legal to leave a boat connected to shore power if the boat is not at a covered dock. The marina does provide 30A 125V receptacles at the uncovered docks used by sailors, but the marina policy is that they be unplugged when a craft is not attended. I was a little surprised to learn such. Does this check out?
illegal to leave shore power connected?
- Thread starter Drake57
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Sounds like a marina policy
to ensure there aren't any energized cords laying around. You might be shocked (sorry) to learn how many careless boaters unplug their boats, don't bother to shut off the breakers first and leave powered up cord ends laying uncovered in the rain and/or inches from dropping in the water I've not run into that particular policy before but it doesn't surprise me especially if marina management had problems previously. I'd be surprised if it's a state or local thing.
to ensure there aren't any energized cords laying around. You might be shocked (sorry) to learn how many careless boaters unplug their boats, don't bother to shut off the breakers first and leave powered up cord ends laying uncovered in the rain and/or inches from dropping in the water I've not run into that particular policy before but it doesn't surprise me especially if marina management had problems previously. I'd be surprised if it's a state or local thing.
Marina Policy
It's a pain sometimes not to have permanent power connected to keep refrigeration going, etc., but then you hear of Marina fires. That's the primary reason electrical connections are not left on (and insurance). For the little inconvenience, I'd much rather not lose my boat to a fire. It's usually some junker that is not well maintained and then all the good boats get burned up! It happens more often than you think it would.
It's a pain sometimes not to have permanent power connected to keep refrigeration going, etc., but then you hear of Marina fires. That's the primary reason electrical connections are not left on (and insurance). For the little inconvenience, I'd much rather not lose my boat to a fire. It's usually some junker that is not well maintained and then all the good boats get burned up! It happens more often than you think it would.
Oh geez!
I just reread Drakes post. I didn't catch that it was meant for boats staying plugged in at the slip. Well then, I personally think it's an over-the-top policy. Of course it'll reduce fire hazards. So will removing all batteries from unattended boats. Just wait until a boat sinks because the bilge pump no longer worked due to a dead battery. Obviously they have no liveaboards.
I just reread Drakes post. I didn't catch that it was meant for boats staying plugged in at the slip. Well then, I personally think it's an over-the-top policy. Of course it'll reduce fire hazards. So will removing all batteries from unattended boats. Just wait until a boat sinks because the bilge pump no longer worked due to a dead battery. Obviously they have no liveaboards.
If you are that woried..
I cant imagine any marina asking to unplug, as someone else pointed out....the bilge pump. If you are that concerned, why not call the marina ofice? They will know more than this message board.
I cant imagine any marina asking to unplug, as someone else pointed out....the bilge pump. If you are that concerned, why not call the marina ofice? They will know more than this message board.
Do you think?
Do you think that every marina in Tx or for that matter , in America, is intentionally breaking the law with sailboat slips?..Why sailboat slips?..b/c they are not covered. GET REAL
Do you think that every marina in Tx or for that matter , in America, is intentionally breaking the law with sailboat slips?..Why sailboat slips?..b/c they are not covered. GET REAL
Whaaaat!
I'd love to see a covered slip for a sail boat. I suppose it could be done: NOT! How's about the reefer not working after the batteries have puked. Imagine arriving at the boat and all the beer is now warm. Horrors! Seriously, I can see some rational to the policy but I can't imagine enforcing it. Unless the marina killed power to the whole system or went around and determined who wasn't there and who was and cut off power on a boat-by-boat basis. Then they'd surely make a mistake and kill power to a vessel with the owners on board. Yowsa! Would that raise a stink.
I'd love to see a covered slip for a sail boat. I suppose it could be done: NOT! How's about the reefer not working after the batteries have puked. Imagine arriving at the boat and all the beer is now warm. Horrors! Seriously, I can see some rational to the policy but I can't imagine enforcing it. Unless the marina killed power to the whole system or went around and determined who wasn't there and who was and cut off power on a boat-by-boat basis. Then they'd surely make a mistake and kill power to a vessel with the owners on board. Yowsa! Would that raise a stink.
sinking feeling
The owner at my home port marina unpluged me last summer by mistake while working on another boat, I was sure looking forward to a cold beer and a evening sail after a 4 hour drive down, what a surprise I had and what a ear full the dock master had. Seriously, can you imagine leaving your boat for several months as I have to do when traveling at work only to get a call saying they unpluged your boat the batteries went down the sump pumps didn't work and you boat took on water and sank. (which insurance companies lawyer do you think will win the case) I pointed this out to the owner at my marinia and he now makes sure that if you don't want your boat conected to shore power it is policy to remove the power cord and stow away.
The owner at my home port marina unpluged me last summer by mistake while working on another boat, I was sure looking forward to a cold beer and a evening sail after a 4 hour drive down, what a surprise I had and what a ear full the dock master had. Seriously, can you imagine leaving your boat for several months as I have to do when traveling at work only to get a call saying they unpluged your boat the batteries went down the sump pumps didn't work and you boat took on water and sank. (which insurance companies lawyer do you think will win the case) I pointed this out to the owner at my marinia and he now makes sure that if you don't want your boat conected to shore power it is policy to remove the power cord and stow away.
All ways unplug when I leave
I must be the exception. I allways unplug when I leave for the workweek. I find the zincs on the boat last longer. I leave the power cord boat end plugged in to my boat, and when I return on Friday nights, just plug in the power cord to the slip outlet. You have very poor power supply if you boat can not last one to two weeks without shore power. Good thing you are not on a mooring ball.
I must be the exception. I allways unplug when I leave for the workweek. I find the zincs on the boat last longer. I leave the power cord boat end plugged in to my boat, and when I return on Friday nights, just plug in the power cord to the slip outlet. You have very poor power supply if you boat can not last one to two weeks without shore power. Good thing you are not on a mooring ball.
Wacky
I don't think I have ever seen a boat in any marina in San Diego that wasn't plugged into shorepower! How about "Follow the money". Do you have seperate meters for each boat? If not, that would be the real reason; the marina lowering operating costs. Sounds wacky to me.
I don't think I have ever seen a boat in any marina in San Diego that wasn't plugged into shorepower! How about "Follow the money". Do you have seperate meters for each boat? If not, that would be the real reason; the marina lowering operating costs. Sounds wacky to me.
My marina
My marina is on a Corps of Engineers lake and the Corps says the only unattended boats that can be plugged into shore power are the ones with approved 30 amp or 50 amp connections. In other words, NO extension cords. My boat has been plugged in for the last 55 days. Oh, darn, now I'm starting to get depressed again. 34 days 'till April. Just looked at today's weather forecast. It says 70 degrees and south winds 15 to 25. The rest of you guys are just gonna' have to handle this board by yourselves, 'cause I'm going sailing.
My marina is on a Corps of Engineers lake and the Corps says the only unattended boats that can be plugged into shore power are the ones with approved 30 amp or 50 amp connections. In other words, NO extension cords. My boat has been plugged in for the last 55 days. Oh, darn, now I'm starting to get depressed again. 34 days 'till April. Just looked at today's weather forecast. It says 70 degrees and south winds 15 to 25. The rest of you guys are just gonna' have to handle this board by yourselves, 'cause I'm going sailing.
Yep, Boats are much safer plugged in to power
with proper marine systems. That decision by the marina sounds pretty 'arbitrary and capricious' to me. Modern boats, unattended, need shore power.
with proper marine systems. That decision by the marina sounds pretty 'arbitrary and capricious' to me. Modern boats, unattended, need shore power.
Why unplug?
Those that unplug their boats for the week obviously do not have refrigerators with cold beer and snacks. A friend of mine keeps a dehumidifier on board and his cabin is very dry and mold free. The onboard battery charger also keeps the battery banks topped off. A dawn to dusk auto light is nice to help boarding and for security. Those that recommend unplugging probably do not have access to their boats for extended periods of time. I go to ours almost every day, sometimes just for a cold beer.
Those that unplug their boats for the week obviously do not have refrigerators with cold beer and snacks. A friend of mine keeps a dehumidifier on board and his cabin is very dry and mold free. The onboard battery charger also keeps the battery banks topped off. A dawn to dusk auto light is nice to help boarding and for security. Those that recommend unplugging probably do not have access to their boats for extended periods of time. I go to ours almost every day, sometimes just for a cold beer.
Plugged in
Pretty much everyone at my marina is plgged in. There are separate meters for each slip. The marina charges $3.50 a month just to come and read the meter even if you never use electricity. I keep an electric de-humidifier running always. That with almost every weekend on the boat using electric heat, power tools and battery charger costs about $8.00 a month in the winter and $2.00 a month in the summer (no heater). The de-humidifer is a good thing. I have never had any mildew or mold. I also leave the engime room open and have never had any corrosion on the engine, electrical, or through hulls. I would not like being told that I couldn't stay plugged in.
Pretty much everyone at my marina is plgged in. There are separate meters for each slip. The marina charges $3.50 a month just to come and read the meter even if you never use electricity. I keep an electric de-humidifier running always. That with almost every weekend on the boat using electric heat, power tools and battery charger costs about $8.00 a month in the winter and $2.00 a month in the summer (no heater). The de-humidifer is a good thing. I have never had any mildew or mold. I also leave the engime room open and have never had any corrosion on the engine, electrical, or through hulls. I would not like being told that I couldn't stay plugged in.
PS
As far as beer... I love it but don't mind it "rodeo temperature" so I don't leave the reefer running.
As far as beer... I love it but don't mind it "rodeo temperature" so I don't leave the reefer running.
Unrelated but - to Liam
Liam, You mentioned a meter reading fee - I think that fee has been declared illegal in California. You might check it out .. You may be due a major refund for this illegal fee. fair winds, Dave
Liam, You mentioned a meter reading fee - I think that fee has been declared illegal in California. You might check it out .. You may be due a major refund for this illegal fee. fair winds, Dave
Thanks Dave
Very interesting. I will check this out. $40 a year could add up. How about the county tax for the mud under your slip? I believe they call it property use tax?
Very interesting. I will check this out. $40 a year could add up. How about the county tax for the mud under your slip? I believe they call it property use tax?
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