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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Converting compass hole to shore power inlet

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tingwc
1st Mate

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31 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/04/2007 : 19:55:59

My Catalina has a compass by the companionway hatch, on the port side. I would like to get rid of it and use the hole to install a shore power system, for two reasons: I don't really use the compass and I don't want another hole in my boat.

Problem is, all the shore power inlets are a 3 inch by 3 inch square. When I measured the holes from taking out the compass, the holes were 4 inches apart in a square.

Does anybody know of a shore power inlet that is 4 inches or a way I can work around this? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Wallace Ting
Queens, NYC
1988 WK

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 20:08:44

You could make a bezel out of teak or UHMW (Starboard....).

Edited by - on

ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2007 : 20:16:25

You probably don't want to hear this but I would suggest leaving the compass alone and drilling another hole in the boat. I just installed a 30 amp inlet on the outside of the cockpit cowl, port side, which made it real easy to run 10 gauge wire to the AC panel on the galley bulkhead.
In fact all my wiring AC and DC ends up in the port locker because from there it can be routed in any direction completely hidden.
I've never hesitated drilling a hole in my boat and the Marinco inlet is a very clean weather tight installation.
The inlet location I chose is what I usually see on our boats and if you decide to put it there be sure to attach the wires before you mount and seal the outlet as it is extremely difficult to reach the terminal screws from inside the locker.

Edited by - ct95949 on 05/07/2007 10:45:45

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2007 : 22:28:46

I agree with the suggestion to install the shore power outlet inside the cockpit cowl port side. That is where mine is installed. It is then away from direct hit from the weather elements.

As far as what to do with the compass hole...see my website, I used a scroll saw to cut a circle out of starboard matl and then used a router bit to put a curved edge on the outer circle. I clamped a support plate onto the inside bulkhead and from that mounted a RAM Swing Arm with a fishfinder.

But why do you not use a compass ? Usually, a compass is one of the basic things that all sailboats should have - It does not need batteries and in case of fog, etc it is just at those times that one then sees the benefit of a compass. If you have a GPS unit...okay that will do and maybe if you are never out of sight of a coast line, well then okay maybe a compass is not needed. I remember many years ago sailing in Long Island Sound and fog set in, it was then that I really had a use for the compass. Since I never had an opportunity when I really neded to use the compass, it was then that I had doubts if it was really working ! But I had my charts and I knew the basic direction I had to head...so I relied on it. I won't go into details of the oil tanker I traded fog horns with and I then had to turn away from...but back onto the compass course...I was right on target into Huntington Harbor.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2007 : 22:55:34

Somewhere, I've seen a little cap and tube that fits in unused holes that you can put little stuff in....like car keys. You'll have to do a little research because I can't remember where I saw it. Cheers.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2007 : 05:35:22

West marine sells a Bomar port cover that has a little sack that fits inside to hold small valuables. maybe that is what you are talking about. I think the catalog and website have it in 3 sizes but the stores may have only one size or none at all. Check the website or catalog.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2007 : 06:20:37

Larry, Craig is talking about on the outside of the coaming not in the pocket like ours.
Wallace, if you have a late model 88 (i.e. with the 89 deck) then the location that has been suggested does not work for you, your power panels are under your stairs aren't they? I have been looking very hard at this, are you sure you do not have a shore power socket in your port coaming pocket? I cannot imagine a late model not having shore power. I am looking at adding one at the back of my starboard cockpit area, right under the micro locker and as far toward the transom as possible. I think I am putting a trolling plug there anyway and might add AC as well. I have also considered the anchor locker, once again this assumes you have a "Mark IV". Also I have considered using a Marinco "charger inlet" rather than the real 30 amp inlet, it is way smaller. Sometimes I think we have big boat stuff on our boat when we don't need it.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 05/07/2007 06:23:21

ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2007 : 11:00:49

Thanks Frank, I knew 'cowl' was not the right word. My inlet is the outside section of the coaming that angles inboard just forward of the winch. Is this the 'pocket' you refer to?
Also are you saying that a 30 amp shore power system is more than what is needed for our boats?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2007 : 20:12:03

No Craig, our deck molds are different, an inlet will not fit there on our boats so they put it in the coaming pockets where it is virtually impossible to use.

There is no room under our winches, our facet is not the same as on the older boats.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2007 : 16:35:04

I just noticed in my posting above, if the compass was going to be removed and you did not put the shore power connection in it's place but wanted to cover the hole and also did not want to make your own cover, it is not Bomar but Beckson that sells the screw in covers with a little ditty bag inside of it. West Marine has them in their catalog, believe in 3 sizes.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.