Power left connected when away from boat.

[maby]

Two winters ago in my northern Adriatic marina the temperature was -16° Celsius and there was ice forming around the boat.

Why should the engine be wrecked? Mine isn't, when I lay up at the end of October I add antifreeze to the cooling water. Properly ventilated and draining the fresh water from tank and pumps, the boat is in perfect condition when I return in the spring.

Ours is in use the whole year round - we will be sailing on Boxing Day... We don't live aboard in the strict sense, but we spend several days on board every week in the year. We need to keep it warm when we are on board and we inevitably make the atmosphere damp with cooking when we're there, so we really need to leave the dehumidifier running when we leave. There was condensation on the ceilings when we locked up on Friday evening because we had just finished cooking and eating...

 

[Simondjuk]

I find the idea that leaving the shore power connected means that the bilge pumps would be able to run for longer than the battery alone would permit is somewhat reassuring.

 

[Cantata]

I suppose the owners of many of boats leave 'em plugged in "because they can". We have power on the pontoon and in the yard but it's tokens in meters, a good deterrent. I've never found a need to stay plugged in - the batteries stay up well, the fridge is down to temperature once we've motored the mile or so down to open water, and in the winter ashore the engine is winterised, fresh water drained down, and vents left open. No condensation, no meter-feeding, no problem.

 

[ffiill]

Ever thought what happens when a neighbouring boat that isnt"plugged in" need to run a power tool,pressure washer;vacuum cleaner or whatever.
Every last socket has a boat attached!
I am sure you will find that what happens is a plug gets pulled!-all be it replaced several hours later.

 

[maby]

Ever thought what happens when a neighbouring boat that isnt"plugged in" need to run a power tool,pressure washer;vacuum cleaner or whatever.
Every last socket has a boat attached!
I am sure you will find that what happens is a plug gets pulled!-all be it replaced several hours later.

Our marina has a socket for every berth. Should not be any need for plug pulling...

 

[haydude]

the crystal type dehumidifiers take care of any moisture.

I wonder how often you do replace them, given that they can be depleted within a day.
My dehumdifier extracts an average of 1.5 litres in 48 hours to maintain 70% humidity. When it rains it extracts 1.5 litres in less than 24 hours and the hygrometer goes up to 80%

My conclusion is that crystal dessicants are useless on a boat.