Generator?

[sscholes77]

My husband and I recently purchased a Hunter 35.5 (1990) and keep the boat on a mooring, with the summers down here getting as humid as they do we are considering getting a generator. Anyone have any suggestions on what would work best and what the cost would be?

 

[Karl]

Try a Honda

Hi,I had the same problem when we moor out at Catalina. After looking at all the options, I found that a Honda EU2000 was a great buy. I didn't have air conditioning, but with 2KW of power, it ran everything on the boat, which at that time was a '87 Hunter 34. I had a 3-bank charger system because I had added refrigeration, so there was a load, but no problems. It even ran the hot water heater at the same time, provided I hadn't discharged my batteries too much. And at around $1000, it was the cheapest option that met my needs.I have since moved up to a 40.5 with an inverter system, but I kept my little Honda. It is cheaper and quieter then running the engine to recharge the system.

 

[Franklin]

AC

If your going to get AC on the boat then you need a fuel powered generator. If you don't need AC or any other 120V needs, then I would think about other options such as a wind generator (Four Winds II) and a nice 120w solor panel (Saw a real nice big one mounted off the stern the other day). I have a 3.5kw desiel generator and it's loud. I need it for when I want to run the AC or microwave when not at the dock, but looking to at least get a wind generator for long term electrical support so I don't need to run the desiel that much.

 

[Steve Gully]

Get one larger than 1000w

I needed the smallest thing I could get for my H22. I bought a 2 cycle at 950w. It will run a small AC but has a very had time if it ever recycles. I have to put the AC on max and let it run. It's supposed to be quiet 55dcb but for me any noise on a sailboat is loud. Ebay for $145.

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persistence]

Northern Lights 5KW

My Northern Lights 5KW runs all of the AC loads you would want - AC, Microwave, Satellite TV and 110 outlets for charging cell phones, etc. It cost about 12.5K when commissioned in 2004. We would install the sound shield if were installing now as we run the genset a lot when sailing. My wife enjoys reading below and I don't mind the heat and cool. It is very nice though to go below for a quick warm up or cool off on those extreme days. When anchored out, we run the genset continuouly. It burns 6 gallons in 24 hours.We spend about 60 days a year on our "floating condo" and would not do so without the AC power either at the dock or out on the lake.Our unit is installed in the port lazzarett. Make sure you install the thru hull on centerline, then you don't have to worry about losing your cooling water and shutdown while sailing.