Shore Power Install in Anchor Well

This is Myron Welch from Iowa City. We met in De Tour and then sailed to Mackinaw City together when you were on your way to the 320 Rally in Chicago. I was in Mackinaw City the following year and talked to the person with the power connection in the 320 anchor locker. The previous owner, Ed Heaviland, had installed it and he was in a slip on the next dock with his Catalina 36 (he had also installed a bow inlet on the 36). I had known from Elk Rapids and he was very helpful. The option of having both a bow and stern inlet made so much sense, that I just had to do it myself.

It was not that difficult and I will try to walk you through the major steps. If confused by anything, just ask.

The important thing is to have only one inlet hot at a time. I did this by installing a Blue Sea #594111 Panel Source Select (page 636 of the 2004 West Marine master catalog) on the nav panel. I disconnected the lead from the stern inlet to the master power switch on the nav panel, and wired it to the bottom switch on the Panel Source Select. I then connected the outlet on the Panel Source Select to the master power switch.

Now the fun begins. I removed the forward shelf and panel in the V-berth in order to gain access to the back side of the anchor locker. I located a flat space to install an inlet as high as possible on the back of the anchor locker port side. It was easy to make the proper size cut with a good hole saw. I chose the Marinco #303SSEL-B Stainless Steel Boat Inlet (WM page 652). I liked the idea of being able to lock the cap in the anchor locker in order to prevent it from possibly being snagged by the anchor rode.

Rather than buy 30 amp cable, I had an extra 50 foot shore power cord and used about 25 foot of it to connect the new bow inlet to the top switch on the Panel Source Select. The most difficult part was running the wire in the channel behind the four inch trim over the V-berth and port settee.

I then cut a hole in the channel and the trim to install an electrical box and 30 amp breaker switch about one foot from the V-berth shelf. I don't remember the exact part, but it was just like the one in the stern port locker for the stern inlet. It may have been the Blue Sea #274852 (WM page 642).

I also have a pressure water inlet in the port side of the anchor locker. Someone on this list kindly sent me plans for dividing the anchor locker in half using half inch starboard. Now I keep the 15 foot hose and a 25 foot shore power chord in the port side of the anchor locker. A 250 foot anchor rode fits neatly in the starboard side.

The system has been great and no more lugging that 50 foot chord around or having it laying all over the deck. You will love the change.

Dave, I do have pictures of all the components and finished installation, but they are not digital. Since the list cannot accept pictures or attachments, I could scan them and e-mail them to your private address if you like.

Myron Welch

Wind Instrument #238

Iowa City, Iowa

Home Port -- Elk Rapids, Michigan