A New 22' Cruiser named Rabbit's Hutch is Born

Valkyrie · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:36 am Post subject:

Gary,

Congrats on your purchase! We have a green 2005 22 and also opted for the tall arch, which is cool and gets a lot of comments. We mounted a 4' VHF antenna, Furuno radar (1715) and the GPS antennea on a 2' extension. Definitely has a "Big Boat" look.

Are you getting King Marine canvas through the factory? If so, consider getting it made taller(depending on you height)and extending further toward the transom. Talk to Dave King and they can do that.

We bought the standard canvas and found it to be too low (I'm 6' 3") and because it ends at the aft end of the cockpit, does not provide as much shade as one that would extend further back.

As a result, we've sold our camper canvas through this site and are having custom work done next week. It would have been cheaper to have it done on ordering, but we didn't know what we would encounter.

Don't get me wrong, the standard unit is very good, but I've noticed at a Gathering and in some albums that others have tweaked theirs, as well.
Just something to consider.

Finally, thank you for your service for all of us. You have my respect and admiration.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:14 am Post subject:

Roger-

Very through discussion of the advantages of shore power! Thumbs Up

I might add that, in the refrigeration department, those that don't have the built in refrigeration unit, but who have a marina slip with shore power, can buy a small approximately 2-4 cu. ft. refrigerator and install it on the dock, leaving it plugged in and keeping supplies cold between boat trips. I had one that fit perfectly on top of the 2 x 2 x 4 ft marina supplied dock box (locker really) when I was in the California Delta. Keeps the drinks, food, condiments, bait, etc. ready to go between trips and saves a lot of carrying stuff back and forth. The freezer compartment can also be used to make ice for the cooler.

Finally, there's another advantage of shore power, extra batteries, inverters, generators, and the like: THEY'RE FUN. If you're an electrical nut like me, you can enjoy devising new stuff untill there's nothing left to do but to install your own pacemaker! Not exactly the personificaion of the KISS Principle, but fun for at least some of us! Idea

Joe.

C-Hawk · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:52 am Post subject:

Gary,
Congratulations on your "State of Mind" in placing an order for "Rabbits Hutch".

First of all---- I live in Sunny So. California. When I ordered my 22 in 2002 I thought "what the heck do I need a wallas for?" Dang they cost a pretty penny---- nah-- don't need one! ..................... Well, let me tell, I took the boat back up to the factory this past summer and had them install one!!!! It would have been cheaper to install it new!!!! But then it gave me an excuse to go up north and cruise the San Juan Islands Wink

OK---- shore power--- I have the fridge, I should have got the shore power too, I didn't. I do a lot of anchoring out--- no ammenaties out at the islands. Again, I screwed up. We do spend some time in the marina, and it would be nice to have the shore power.

Think about it my friend

nscogin · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 5:58 pm Post subject:

Jazzmanic · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

Norma, I just saw in the brand new 2006 Boaters World Catalog that the same kind of cord Chris mentioned was on sale for $39.99, which is a real good deal. I paid much more for mine because it didn't have the 15amp plug on the end, I had to buy a very expensive adapter. It's Close-out Special on page 17 of the catalog, order #19-690-1888. You can order it online using the same order number at the same price.

nscogin · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Caryn & Peter. I just ordered one. With no refrigerator, no back up VHF, no 8 to 9 day fishing trips planned, no electrical nuts on board, and a boat that will almost alway be on a mooring overnight, I can't justify spending $1000 for installed shore power, but this should be handy for the occasional night in a slip.

BTW I think it's funny how some guys complain about all the STUFF their female counterparts want to take on the boat when the guys have no qualms about installing beaucoups of gadgets, the more bells and whistles the better! Not to mention the bazilliion hours some folks spend adding the doodads to do each and every little thing! Not that there's anything wrong with it . . . If it makes you happy, dear . . .

Norma

Rabbits Hutch · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:32 pm Post subject:

Hmmm, I'm confused about this cord. I understand that one end, of course, goes into the dock's shore power outlet, but where do you plug it into on the boat?

Sorry for the ignorance...

Gary R.

Jazzmanic · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:25 am Post subject:

Gary, think of it as one long, thick extension cord. The other end is just a 3-pronged 15 amp plug so you can plug a power strip into it and use the power strip to power various electric appliances, computer, electric heater, boom box, hair dryer etc.

Rabbits Hutch · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:10 am Post subject:

Thanks Peter,

Although it wont refresh the boat's battery system, clearly it is a better option then spending $1k on an installed shore power system for now.

Once again, the C-Brats family helps me out.

I love this place.

GR

flapbreaker · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:27 am Post subject:

Found this in "sneaks" photo album AKA Jenny B.

Cheap shore power. GFI $39.99 Ace Hardware Marinco inlet, Overtons, $18

Battery charger can plug through GFI at marinas, direct at home GFI DOES NOT PROVIDE OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

Starboard side cabin, just below cable run

El and Bill · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:41 am Post subject:

We used a heavy duty marine cord with multiple outlets for years on Halcyon. It was excellent 'shore power' -- ran the electric heater, computer, and anything else that needs 110v. just fine. For running accessories it did everything built-in shore power can do, without the high installation expense. Now, if you spend most of your evenings in marinas you might want the convenience of shore power built-in.

We don't have a refrig -- too much power drain for us who prefer to anchor for extended periods -- we find ice chest works fine. We could carry a generator, but the advantage of a refrig over an ice chest (for our kind of travel) is negative since the generator takes space, adds weight, and is one more item to maintain -- and the long-lasting ice chests today work fine -- we need to refuel every few days on a long trip and the fuel docks almost always carry ice.

We have now installed built-in shore power on Halcyon primarily because our twin Honda 40's can not fully charge the batteries when underway. Shore power from a marina once a week or so gives the batteries an easy full charge. Of course, this could also be done with a 'trickle charger' run off the marine cord (that's what we have done for years in our pop-up camper).

So, we think the primary advantage of built-in shore power (for us) and our use of the boat for long distance cruising is convenience. Each individual has unique uses for their boat and unique personal requirements so built-in shore power may be a necessity for some and only a convenience for others.

Rabbits Hutch · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:00 am Post subject:

I just finished up on the Boater's World web site. An easy purchase indeed.

Thanks again.

Also, I've contacted the dealer this morning. I have requested the "taller" camper canvas package and ensured that it will be from King Marine. KM provided my last canvas package and did a wonderful job. Thumbs Up

Peter, I was going through your photo album this morning, great pictures by the way, and noticed your upgrades that cover the gas tanks. I'm pondering that one as well. They look great.

Well, 0900hrs here. I really need to get to work.

Have a great day all.

Gary R.

lloyds · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:28 am Post subject:

Sea Wolf: You being the electrical nut and all, I have a dumb question to ask. I just purchased a flat panel tv for my camper. When I got it in the camper I found it had a 120 volt converter, converting to 12 volt to run the tv. Is there a good reason why I couldn't run it on the campers 12 volt system. The camper has a 120 volt converter already. 12 volt is way easier to come by out in the boonies.

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:53 pm Post subject:

Lloyds - there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to run it directly on the 12V from the system. However, the voltages from a car battery or car system can sometimes by closer to 14V (especially under charge) so it would be best to do a little checking before you make the hookup.

1st, check to see what the actual output is of the power supply for the TV when it's under load. E.g hook a voltmeter across it to see what it puts out while it's plugged into the TV and the TV is on. Depending on the connector and wiring, you might have to make a new connector make this measurement but hopefully you can open either the TV or the power supply to do the measurement. If the power supply is putting out more voltage than 12V (like say 13.5), I'd not be too worried about hooking it to a 12V automotive system. However, to be safe, I'd put in a little extra protection though. Figure out the current draw and add in an inline fuse of the appropriate amperage. It might also be advisable to put in a small 12V regulator and filter to take out spikes (maybe from the alternator) and perhaps some overvoltage protection too (like a high current, high speed zener diode at about 15V - or 12V surge protector). I've seen a number of 12V regulator/surge protectors online for this purpose but most seem wildly overpriced. I didn't spend a lot of time looking but I'm guessing something that will for sure do the job can be found or made for $30-40.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:28 pm Post subject:

More fuel to the fire - Canvas Riggers does a MUCH better job on C-Dory camperbacks than King Marine. They cost a bit more, but are really worth it.