DAVIS ISLANDS - The city is considering making more electrical power available to boaters visiting the Marjorie Park Yacht Basin.

The marina's lack of 50 amp connections becomes a problem during Gasparilla, when the owners of large boats reserve the 22 transient slips.

Visiting boaters "were terribly disappointed not to be able to have power" at this year's event and "some were forced to leave their boats for the evening due to lack of 50 amp dock power," boat owner John Rymer wrote in an e-mail to the city.

Rymer said in an interview that he has kept his 41-foot power boat at one of the marina's 32 permanent slips for two years.

Three of the marina's transient slips have 50 amp service; the others are 30 amp connections. Boats larger than 40 feet typically require more power.

The city is taking bids to add seven 50 amp connections, parks and recreation department spokeswoman Linda Carlo said.

"That is all we can add without upgrading our entire electrical system, including additional transformers," she said.

The city spent $5 million to renovate the marina in 2005. Plans to add docking slips are on hold.

"People are willing to pay for those additional slips and the city is not taking advantage of it," Rymer said. "They seem to be capturing defeat from the jaws of victory."

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.