1979 37c, Will be purchasing a generator (~4KW, ~20x20x35") soon and am debating on where to stuff it, above deck last resort. Any ideas or stories appreciated. Thanks, Ken
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Wrestling with the same question
I'm debating this as well. Above deck is out of the question for me. Here are the options as I see them : 1) create a shelf in the starboard lazarette, giving up a lot of storage space. 2) Get one of the small Westerbeke generators ($$) and put it where the water heater is, giving up engine-heated water, but compensating for this by getting smaller AC heater under the sink. 3) Since I will eventually get a watermaker, remove the starboard or port water tank (undecided), use that huge space for the generator and watermaker and maybe a small polyprop water tank as well. Since I can produce water at any time, I won't need the second 45 gallon tank, plus if I get a small 15 gallon one to replace it, I will have a backup. Those are my three. Any other options out there ?
I'm debating this as well. Above deck is out of the question for me. Here are the options as I see them : 1) create a shelf in the starboard lazarette, giving up a lot of storage space. 2) Get one of the small Westerbeke generators ($$) and put it where the water heater is, giving up engine-heated water, but compensating for this by getting smaller AC heater under the sink. 3) Since I will eventually get a watermaker, remove the starboard or port water tank (undecided), use that huge space for the generator and watermaker and maybe a small polyprop water tank as well. Since I can produce water at any time, I won't need the second 45 gallon tank, plus if I get a small 15 gallon one to replace it, I will have a backup. Those are my three. Any other options out there ?
One more option is to . . . . . .
buy a larger boat
But the tank space under the settee is a good idea. But which side? Is the boat balanced? Batteries on one side and diesel fuel on the other, should be close. I think the space under the cockpit sole should be for things that need little or no maintenance. You could put a large hatch in the cockpit sole but then you have compromised the boat's integrity. And it sounds like you are going offshore and would not want a big hole that could let the ocean in. I guess this is why big Hunters are so popular.
buy a larger boat
But the tank space under the settee is a good idea. But which side? Is the boat balanced? Batteries on one side and diesel fuel on the other, should be close. I think the space under the cockpit sole should be for things that need little or no maintenance. You could put a large hatch in the cockpit sole but then you have compromised the boat's integrity. And it sounds like you are going offshore and would not want a big hole that could let the ocean in. I guess this is why big Hunters are so popular.Location, location, location.......
Faced with the same question, I opted for the space occupied by the water heater; low and centered, but admittedly hard to get at. Got a propane flash water heater (great! My wife says long showers are a terrific gift). I Checked with Jim Bohart about the structural integrity of the cockpit sole. He assured me (and after doing it, I agree totally!) that there is no problem to install a hatch there. I cut a 2' x 3' hole in the cockpit floor and used the cutout as the hatch. It is completely dry. Details if anyone interested. Put a 2KW generator in a sound shield down there, with a 600gpd watermaker pump mounted on it, as well as a 80-amp alternator. As to service, I can reach the controls on the unit through the quarter berth access panel. For other maintenance, the whole thing (the sound shield stays down there) can be hoisted out with a come-along on the boom, and be on the cockpit seat in less than 30 minutes. You'd be amazed at how much room there is down there. A dividend is that servicing the rear of the engine, the tranny and the stuffing box is a snap.
Faced with the same question, I opted for the space occupied by the water heater; low and centered, but admittedly hard to get at. Got a propane flash water heater (great! My wife says long showers are a terrific gift). I Checked with Jim Bohart about the structural integrity of the cockpit sole. He assured me (and after doing it, I agree totally!) that there is no problem to install a hatch there. I cut a 2' x 3' hole in the cockpit floor and used the cutout as the hatch. It is completely dry. Details if anyone interested. Put a 2KW generator in a sound shield down there, with a 600gpd watermaker pump mounted on it, as well as a 80-amp alternator. As to service, I can reach the controls on the unit through the quarter berth access panel. For other maintenance, the whole thing (the sound shield stays down there) can be hoisted out with a come-along on the boom, and be on the cockpit seat in less than 30 minutes. You'd be amazed at how much room there is down there. A dividend is that servicing the rear of the engine, the tranny and the stuffing box is a snap.
Bolt it to the garage floor
Several advantages. (a) Less to maintain on your boat. (b) Don't have to worry about how it affects weight distribution. (c) No one in the anchorage will complain when you fire it up. (d) Homes need backup power. On your boat, moderate your electric demands. Add insulation to your fridge. Install solar panels. Enlarge your battery bank. Get a new, low power laptop. All combined are less expensive than a generator.
Several advantages. (a) Less to maintain on your boat. (b) Don't have to worry about how it affects weight distribution. (c) No one in the anchorage will complain when you fire it up. (d) Homes need backup power. On your boat, moderate your electric demands. Add insulation to your fridge. Install solar panels. Enlarge your battery bank. Get a new, low power laptop. All combined are less expensive than a generator.
Interest in details
Thanks for the replies. Dave could you send me details about the floor hatch you installed? This sounds like an interesting option. Thank you. Ken
Thanks for the replies. Dave could you send me details about the floor hatch you installed? This sounds like an interesting option. Thank you. Ken
Details
Ken; Let me have your e-mail address and specific questions, and I'll do my best. The most challenging part of the project was cutting the hatch. The rest of it would depend largely on what equipment you are going to install. I'll be glad to help.
Ken; Let me have your e-mail address and specific questions, and I'll do my best. The most challenging part of the project was cutting the hatch. The rest of it would depend largely on what equipment you are going to install. I'll be glad to help.
Further details
I thought I forgot something. Here it is kdelacy@hotmail.com Dave could you tell me any details about the location of the cut, and if you were to do it again, anything you might do differently? About how far back from the companion way bulkhead the cut begins and any extra reinforcement you may have added? I may move down to a 3KW gen. and am planning on getting dimensions tomarrow. Thanks again, Ken DeLacy
I thought I forgot something. Here it is kdelacy@hotmail.com Dave could you tell me any details about the location of the cut, and if you were to do it again, anything you might do differently? About how far back from the companion way bulkhead the cut begins and any extra reinforcement you may have added? I may move down to a 3KW gen. and am planning on getting dimensions tomarrow. Thanks again, Ken DeLacy
Ken, if you look under the cockpit from. . .
that new access panel in the q-berth you will get a good idea of the dimensions. I bring this up because there is a heavily reinforced area right under the bridgedeck that you will need to avoid. If I were doing a cockpit sole hatch I would build a similar reinforcement aft of the hatch, just in front of the pedestal mount.
that new access panel in the q-berth you will get a good idea of the dimensions. I bring this up because there is a heavily reinforced area right under the bridgedeck that you will need to avoid. If I were doing a cockpit sole hatch I would build a similar reinforcement aft of the hatch, just in front of the pedestal mount.
How often will you use it?
I had a 3.5 kw, 2cylinder Kubota diesel powered generator installed in the starboard lazarette of my 33 to run my airconditioner. Even with a new 8D battery on the port side to balance things, the boat listed to the starboard, and sailed noticably different on starboard and port tacks. I would pay a lot of attention to balance. I have since removed the generator, and the boat sails much, much better at all points of sail. Now a 37 may carry one better, but the farther you put the generator from midline of the boat, the more effect the weight will have. ALso, I found we didn't actually use it that much, since even though it was quiet, it still disturbed the silence of anchoring out - rather sweat than listen to it and also disturb others.
I had a 3.5 kw, 2cylinder Kubota diesel powered generator installed in the starboard lazarette of my 33 to run my airconditioner. Even with a new 8D battery on the port side to balance things, the boat listed to the starboard, and sailed noticably different on starboard and port tacks. I would pay a lot of attention to balance. I have since removed the generator, and the boat sails much, much better at all points of sail. Now a 37 may carry one better, but the farther you put the generator from midline of the boat, the more effect the weight will have. ALso, I found we didn't actually use it that much, since even though it was quiet, it still disturbed the silence of anchoring out - rather sweat than listen to it and also disturb others.
Probably every couple days
need something to heat water and charge batteries, and most likely will add ac in the summer. I'm off the dock and living aboard on a mooring. I think I will mount it on the centerline of the boat, dimensions are 26x19x22.5" Ken
need something to heat water and charge batteries, and most likely will add ac in the summer. I'm off the dock and living aboard on a mooring. I think I will mount it on the centerline of the boat, dimensions are 26x19x22.5" Ken
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