Shore Power Plugs

[ronnoordhoek]

Hi all,
I'm planning to sail the Atlantic next year and spend some time in the Carribean. I was advised to take along the right shore power plugs/connectors scince they seem to cost a bit over there.

Could anyone help me on what or which plugs/connectors to get ? The only one I have is the standard one we use in Europe.

Many thanks

Ron

[sarafina]

this shows the two ends of the plugs commonly found on US docks. I don't know if Europe has standard shore plugs everywhere, but you will need what ever you have adapted to this in many western Atlantic locations.

[swagman]

Hi Ron,

We had the female side of the shown plug on our EU built boat - but I suspect your 'standard' is a blue plugwith 3 round connectors? Usually for 220v at 16 amp.
This 'standard' EU plug will do you in most Caribbean countries but just like marinas everywhare you will find variances.
We've parked up where they only have three pin 32 amp, five pin 32 amp, in other places 3 pin 64 amp, and English Harbour Antigua had sockets so large they could only be 128 amps..........
We ended up carrying adaptors for 16 to 32, 32 to 64 etc etc, but never got the largest one as it cost US$250 and we never saw it anywhere other than Antigua.
But be happy, as most marinas also carry conversion / adaptors so your plug can fit their socket. Most hire these out - so it is not worth worrying unduly about buying conversion parts until you get there.

Except if you aim to go onward to the US.
Be aware most US marinas run on 110 volts as opposed to our EU standard 220/240 volts.
So a charger that automatically adapts (as ours fortunately did) is also something to consider.

Enjoy
JOHN

[RainDog]

There are five common types of plugs in the US. I have only run across four in my area, but I would certainly carry all five.

They are:

- Straight blade connections - the standard US plug. Not common in specifically wired large boat slips, but I have seen them in small boat slips. Also might be handy if you tied along side and need to steal power from a building
- 20 A Locking - Very common in my area
- 30 A Locking - Very common in my area
- 50 A 125 V - Very common in my area
- 50 A 125/250 - I have not seen these

Lots more info here:

The West Advisor: Troubleshooting Shore Power

[Ex-Calif]

This guy wrote a pretty nice article about taking a US boat to Europe.

I presume there are similar issues in reverse for you.

European Power Onboard

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

This guy wrote a pretty nice article about taking a US boat to Europe.
I presume there are similar issues in reverse for you.
European Power Onboard

FWIW: "This guy" is Jack Tyler (s/v Whoosh), our member "Euro Cruiser"
Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Profile: Euro Cruiser.

[capt_douglas]

Depending on your vessel requirements (current and voltage), one or two should do the job most places. Unlike Europe where every marina had it's own special power connected and exorbitant rental rates, you should be OK in the Caribbean.

And I'd have a pigtail connector for those "special occasions".

[goboatingnow]

Unlike Europe where every marina had it's own special power connected and exorbitant rental rates,

The vast majority of European Marinas use ether a 16 Amp or 32 amp IEC 60309 standardised industral plug/socket. Very little else is used.

[GordMay]

European Shorepower Fittings - Budget Marine

[capt_douglas]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

The vast majority of European Marinas use ether a 16 Amp or 32 amp IEC 60309 standardised industral plug/socket. Very little else is used.

Our research indicated that it would be far cheaper for the big boat to buy connectors for all the marinas we'd be visiting than pay for a rental. We used two 240V/100A power cords so that may be the reason. I should have been clearer.

[goboatingnow]

Gord that Caribbean chandlery site is very misleading only the iec 60309 fittings are common the others are very rare so rate in fact I've never seem them, nor does it include the iec60309 32 amp version which is common in France.

Dave