Relocation of shore lines plug in 90 350 Sundancer

QT1

Active Member
Oct 20, 2016
644
Belair, MD
Boat Info
1990 350 Sundancer, "Quality Time II".
Engines
454 Mercruisers, performance parts modified by PO.
Doesn't look like its too difficult of a job to relocate the receptacles from the port side to the stern right above the swim ladder. Would make
upload_2018-12-6_7-48-8.png
it more convenient to plug in. Any comments?
 
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The location of plugs was one of the features I grew to really dislike about my 370 Express. Trying to align the plugs with the receptical on a hot day after a long and tiring run while standing on a 4" wide deck was a pia. Having the recepticals in a convenient location would be a nice upgrade. Love having them inside the cockpit on my Tiara where I can sit on a comfortable chair and connect them.
 
If located where visible the gel repair is a bigger job than the wiring. I that pic your boat? Where do you want them? Will that location be usable if you are in transient slips?

MM
 
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IMG_2098.JPG
If located where visible the gel repair is a bigger job than the wiring. I that pic your boat? Where do you want them? Will that location be usable if you are in transient slips?

MM
Plugs at the back of a boat are very convenient for transient slips, especially if you back into the slip. Even if you bow in, just run the cord along the side deck to the pedestal.
 
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All my cordsets have been changed to these Smart Plugs. 30% more positive contact on the terminals, less risk of fire, and no fumbling for the keyed/direction. Stab and go. Still don't understand why boats haven't made this a standard?

https://smartplug.com/
 
I also did this on my 88' 460. I left the original outlets in place for the time being. I installed two 30A outlets on the transom and ran two #6/3 marine wire from the transome to the panel. That was a little costly, but well worth it. Sea Ray was saving money when they put it on the side of the cabin like that. As for the repair, I am cosidering name plaques on both side of the boat instead of gel coat repair. Given the age of my boat, I doubt the repair would ever look right and name plaques might be a better fit. I am considering a mahogany backing and a gold leaf name.
 
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All my cordsets have been changed to these Smart Plugs. 30% more positive contact on the terminals, less risk of fire, and no fumbling for the keyed/direction. Stab and go. Still don't understand why boats haven't made this a standard?

https://smartplug.com/

There are so many boats, cords, and marina's that have the current plug style it would cost millions to change the system that works.

I presume you carry a spare since you cannot easily borrow one?


MM
 
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There are so many boats, cords, and marina's that have the current plug style it would cost millions to change the system that works.

I presume you carry a spare since you cannot easily borrow one?
MM

I believe what he is describing is the female end that plugs into the boat. The other end is probably a conventional plug for the reason you mentioned.
 
View attachment 62769

I believe what he is describing is the female end that plugs into the boat. The other end is probably a conventional plug for the reason you mentioned.

It is. The company sells the cord/plug combo. However, if you go your own way and you have a problem, drop your cord overboard or a storm damages it, no one including good marine stores can help you, you are on your own. I like what I read about it, but standardization has it merits too.

MM
 
View attachment 62769

I believe what he is describing is the female end that plugs into the boat. The other end is probably a conventional plug for the reason you mentioned.

Correct.

I'll take my chances. If they never break like other cordsets, it's a moot point. Even if they did, I could run the generator or ship a cord in overnight. They are carried on amazon.
 
Sea Ray can't make everybody happy - I love that my two Dancers have had the plugs inside the transom locker but I've always hated fishing the cords in and out when taking the boat out for a cruise.

This year I bought two 10' cord sets (I use the Marinco EEL) and installed watertight locking ends on the business ends. These cords are attached to the boat in the locker and never leave the boat. I simply pull them out of the locker a few feet and connect to a 30' set of cords I leave at the pedestal. Zero wear and tear on plugs at the boat side and no more fishing of cords in and out of the transom locker.

You guys with the exterior plugs don't have this dilema....but it's clear there is no solution that will make everybody happy :)
 
If located where visible the gel repair is a bigger job than the wiring. I that pic your boat? Where do you want them? Will that location be usable if you are in transient slips?

MM
The picture is not my boat. I ran across it looking at for sale boat ads. Mine is a 1990 350 Sundancer . I am thinking of the same location above the swim ladder, which should make a straight run from the original location. Not planning on trying to glass the original are when moved, but create a block off plate and permanently seal off. So far the areas we have travel with my first boat will accommodate the plugs being at the back, most importantly, my new home slip.
 
The picture is not my boat. I ran across it looking at for sale boat ads. Mine is a 1990 350 Sundancer . I am thinking of the same location above the swim ladder, which should make a straight run from the original location. Not planning on trying to glass the original are when moved, but create a block off plate and permanently seal off. So far the areas we have travel with my first boat will accommodate the plugs being at the back, most importantly, my new home slip.

That was what I was thinking, that was not your boat in the photo. One of my dock mates added inlets but just left the others in place.

MM
 
View attachment 62755 The location of plugs was one of the features I grew to really dislike about my 370 Express. Trying to align the plugs with the receptical on a hot day after a long and tiring run while standing on a 4" wide deck was a pia. Having the recepticals in a convenient location would be a nice upgrade. Love having them inside the cockpit on my Tiara where I can sit on a comfortable chair and connect them.


I agree. Moved mine to the stern. Probably overkill....I installed a set of 30 amp breakers behind the plugs in a waterproof box and I ran #6 wire to the distribution panel.

I bought the components for an A/B transfer switch to use the port side receptacles.....but realistically I can’t imagine ever using the port side connectors again for the very reason you mention.

I did spend the money to upgrade the port side receptacles to SS so they matched the stern.
upload_2018-12-7_9-31-31.jpeg
 
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Sea Ray can't make everybody happy - I love that my two Dancers have had the plugs inside the transom locker but I've always hated fishing the cords in and out when taking the boat out for a cruise.

This year I bought two 10' cord sets (I use the Marinco EEL) and installed watertight locking ends on the business ends. These cords are attached to the boat in the locker and never leave the boat. I simply pull them out of the locker a few feet and connect to a 30' set of cords I leave at the pedestal. Zero wear and tear on plugs at the boat side and no more fishing of cords in and out of the transom locker.

You guys with the exterior plugs don't have this dilema....but it's clear there is no solution that will make everybody happy :)
As a transient there were places that 50' wasn't enough so I carried 4 of them. One time there was only one place for me to plug in so I used a splitter in the trunk to get by. I was tired of stringing two cords out anyway so I left the splitter hooked up, with one cord to the pedestal all the time now. I haven't tripped any breakers anywhere yet, run everything as I normally would.
 
OK, now I'm excited about this project and I'm going to do this!
 
I agree. Moved mine to the stern. Probably overkill....I installed a set of 30 amp breakers behind the plugs in a waterproof box and I ran #6 wire to the distribution panel.

I bought the components for an A/B transfer switch to use the port side receptacles.....but realistically I can’t imagine ever using the port side connectors again for the very reason you mention.

I did spend the money to upgrade the port side receptacles to SS so they matched the stern.View attachment 62790
Just out of curiosity, do you remember how many feet approximately to took to get from the stern back to the distro box? Thanks. Want to plan this out as close as possible when it comes time to proceed.
 
Who had the best pricing on the ss receptacles? They look great!
 
That was what I was thinking, that was not your boat in the photo. One of my dock mates added inlets but just left the others in place.

MM
I seen where a few others did the same and just left them. Have to decide when the time comes.
 

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