Electric fence for boat

[StuM]

Necro-posting? 7 year old thread


> "The system works extremely well. I have been cruising in South East Asia for the last 13 years with never a boarding "

If you've never been boarded, how do you know it works well?

[GeoffGentil]

The fact that I haven't been boarded could be an indication. However The system works as it should and gives a good belt to anyone coming into contact with it. It's not the answer to every situation but deters unwanted boarders.
Most of all it gives us piece of mind. We also have pepper/bear spray on hand.

[boatpoker]

I have experienced one incident that changed my attitude on this issue and it didn't happen in a remote area known for it's high risk factor.

It happened in a large Bahamian resort marina.

let me just say that the next person that tries it will get an unpleasant surprise.

[acem]

I am still learning about boats but an old hand at electric fence.

If you want to electrify a fence, use a modern high impedance, high voltage livestock 'energizer' from a good company. Stafix and Gallagher are probably the best and what I use on my ranch. they produce a very short duration shock of 10,000 V. When i touch then accidentally they cause uncontrollable local muscle spasms and intense pain. A friend bent over and accidentally touched the top of his head to the wire and it knocked him out for a few min (not recommended).

Proper grounding will be very important. I would recommend at least a ground to the sea from each side or the boat or the keel (if exposed lead).

You will not harm birds in any way that land on the wires because they are not grounded, just like birds on a high wire.

Use good electric fence grade double insulated wire for the runs to both the grounds and electrified wires (lifeline in our case).

it would be better to run "polywire" or "polyrope" through proper insulators attached to the outside of the stanchions and pulpit for the electric fence. The fence could then be installed quickly when needed and not in the way the rest of the time. Your grounds could then just be tossed overboard when needed and not permanently attached.

https://am.gallagher.com/nz/products

https://www.stafix.com/en/category/country/new-zealand


Thx-Ace

[GeoffGentil]

This is the unit I use

https://www.energytech.com.au/produc...ence-energiser

Good price and ships overseas
Single earth wire to the cockpit drain/water and positive to a stainless steel staunchion which feeds the lifelines, pushpit and pullpit etc. Good current and voltage all around the boat. Note the low current draw.

[GeoffGentil]

Sorry the link was bad. Here it is again
https://www.energytech.com.au/produc...ence-energiser

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I have experienced one incident that changed my attitude on this issue and it didn't happen in a remote area known for it's high risk factor.

It happened in a large Bahamian resort marina.

let me just say that the next person that tries it will get an unpleasant surprise.

I'll bet it would deter California Sea Lions as well...

[AKA-None]

Well I can tell you it will not stop a determined ram.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by GeoffGentil

The system works extremely well. I have been cruising in South East Asia for the last 13 years with never a boarding and sleep well at night.

Very similar to my uncle, who always claimed that the dangers of smoking were grossly over-exaggerated, because he had been smoking for 40 years and didn't have lung cancer...








...Until at the age of 74 he was diagnosed with emphysema.