Re: Shore Power/Dockside cabin humidity/mildew

SolarFry@aol.com
Thu, 29 Oct 1998 20:04:23 EST


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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In a message dated 98-10-29 15:43:23 EST, you write:

<< Subj: Shore Power
Date: 98-10-29 15:43:23 EST
From: JamesF@bayarchitects.com (Fauver, James)
To: wwpotter@tscnet.com ('WWP List-Serve')

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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Are there any potters out there that keep their boat in the water, and
have "shore power" available, that use it?

I am interested in keeping a fan or heater (or fan / heater) aboard to
combat condensation. I have visions of getting a call from the sheriff
at 3:00 A.M., asking me how I could be so negligent that I could "burn
down" every boat at the dock.

Most boats on my dock don't have "real" shore power connections, they
just run an extension cord under a hatch. This is what I am
considering, but I don't know what kind of fan / heater to use. This
fan would also help evaporate any rain water that finds it's way inside.

Any suggestions?

1. It has to be SAFE
2. It has to be CHEAP
3. I would rather not drill holes in my boat

James Fauver
P19 Southern Star
Lake Conroe, Texas
>>

I used a 100 Watt light bulb dangling from the "ceiling" on my ole Col 22 for
over 10 years to keep mold and mildew at bay in Marina Del Rey, CA. The only
thing I had to do in addition was to lift the berth cushions against hull
sides to keep condensation off the bottom. It worked better than those "Golden
Rods" they sell at "Discount" boat places. Hooking to shore power was
accomplished with a sturdy outdoors extension cord connected to a 15 Amp
supply that had that newfangled thing that disconnects power if there is a
sudden short. Which is exactly what you do after prepping a hole in the boat
(more leaks/) for a socket to accept a power supply from shore... Regardless
of what he salemen and marketers want you to believe... It's still a dumb
extension cord plugged into the side of the boat.

Do not use a house heater in the boat... Unless, you wanna get rid of boat...

If you want something fancy, BoatUS/Wmarine/Boaters etc have a small circular
contraption called a "Turbo Dryer Dehumidifier" <snicker> with a fan in it for
44 bucks that will work as a dryer... Don't get the 40 dollar one... The fan
in the 44 buck one makes a difference...

I plan to use a 9" electric fan and a 75 Watt light bulb when I stick my p19
in the water soon... My power supply also has one of those newfangled sockets
that trip on a short. There is a big enough hole between the top sliding cabin
access hatch and the door to stick the wire through there and tie it to the
inside with string so it won't pull out. In addition I will use the fwd vent
with screen to let air flow.

What have you done/plan to do about the zinc covered keel and the copper
covered bottom (paint)?

Best
Solar fry
BTW: If you have one of those funky connectors at your marina you can get an
adapter at Kmart for a couple of bucks at the camping supply section... It's a
camping plug!