Water leak at shore power outlet

[Nancy]

Our 28TE is probably similar to most (all?) others: the 110 shore power outlet is located on the upper portion of the port side fishing rod box and faces down.

When disconnecting the power cord after rainy weather, water runs out from the perimeter of the shore power fitting.

We've figured out what the likely cause is. The fishing rod holders on the coaming are located directly above fiberglass shelf of the rod compartment below. Rainwater goes into the rod holders, lands on the shelf of the rod box, runs aft down the shelf and drains from the first opening it gets to: the cut-out for the shore power fitting.

Maybe we need to take a close look at the rod holders to determine manufacturer and see whether caps are available.

Has anyone else run into this?

[DougSea]

You could just find a piece of hose, clamp it on the end of the rod holder, and drain lower down, below the power inlet.

[Nancy]

You could just find a piece of hose, clamp it on the end of the rod holder, and drain lower down, below the power inlet.

We were thinking about that! The rod holder has a drain similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-14791-Rod ... B002FVQNEY, and we've thought about cutting a little off the end to make a larger opening and fastening a piece of tubing that would be routed over the back edge of the rod rack (which we now call a bathtub as we have both of them out of the boat getting thoroughly cleaned. They do look a lot like bathtubs sitting on saw horses.)

[amber jj]

I've seen where one person used a small sponge rubber balls for rod holder caps.

[RobS]

http://www.prime-industries.com. The rod holders are (should be) from prime industries and they do offer caps that are attached to the gaskets. They also offer drains. Check out the rod holder accessories.

[Nancy]

Thanks, Rob. I'm going to confirm that the rod holders are from Prime.

[RobS]

Here's pics from when I added one (from Prime) with the gasket. After five seasons the cap is still intact with the gasket, I figured I would get a season or two out of it before it tore off but it never did.

0711081512a.jpg

0711081513.jpg

And a shot to show the thickness of transom top. That was quite the smoking holesaw! The bore is white cause I gelcoated the inside of the hole for extra protection.

0711081341.jpg

[Nancy]

Great to see your photos as always, Rob. I'm really glad you posted them as I would have just automatically ordered black. Now I realize I should consider white. Not sure . . . the coamings are gray gelcoat. Are the white covers a pain to keep clean?

>>The bore is white cause I gelcoated the inside of the hole <<

Of course you did! lol!

[RobS]

Yes the white is a bit of a pain to keep clean. Black would probably look fine, would match the rubrail. I'd probably go black if I did it again. And then, you know what they say, once you go black...

[Pitou]

Nancy -

I know what you mean about water finding its way to the shorepower inlet. I had considered ordering caps from Prime, but/ in the interim I hole sawed an old kids foam boogie board for some custom plugs and that solved the problem and kept some rain water out of the bilge as well. They actually looked pretty custom, were black and pushed in flush. More than one way to skin a cat!

[Nancy]

Kevin,

Good to know I'm not the only one with the water problem. I like boogie board idea especially when the four caps cost $11 total and the least expensive shipping is - sit down - $23! Probably worth a phone call to see if they really want that much. Anyway, I mumbled about stuffing corks in the openings and my husband made a rude comment.

[RobS]

Well maybe with a phone call they can stick em in an envelope and go postal...

[Nancy]

Believe it or not, the $23 is for USPS!

[Russell]

Nancy: Ask if you can purchase them and have someone pick them up for you. I can pick them up and send them to you. You might want to check shipping from Norfolk to your place to see if you would save anything.

[Nancy]

That's really nice of you, Russ!

I called Prime Industries this morning, and as I suspected (being very familiar with e-commerce stores and point of sale systems), the shipping charge is not correct, and the e-commerce company can't figure out why. The shipping only comes up incorrectly on some items. Big fun.

Anyway, Paula was very nice to talk to and was happy to take my order over the phone.