Has anyone installed a generator in a 35 size boat? Does anyone use a portable generator? I worry about CO with a portable as it is heavy and could fill up the cabin? Where would you install a generator? Dave
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Engine Compartment
Hi Dave - You've been popping up on the site again lately - your boat must be on the hard, huh?
My aunt and uncle just installed a small deisel generator in their engine compartment, mounted to the ceiling above the engine. I guess they are making use of the available ventilation and plumbing - makes sense to me (fuel, air, water, exhaust). They are both long time liveaboards and crusiers. The installation was done on a Fischer 37 yawl. Pretty cool boat - enclosed pilot house for the pacific northwest seas. Hope this helps with ideas - and let us know what you decide to do - and if Santa stocks gensets! Rob
Hi Dave - You've been popping up on the site again lately - your boat must be on the hard, huh?
My aunt and uncle just installed a small deisel generator in their engine compartment, mounted to the ceiling above the engine. I guess they are making use of the available ventilation and plumbing - makes sense to me (fuel, air, water, exhaust). They are both long time liveaboards and crusiers. The installation was done on a Fischer 37 yawl. Pretty cool boat - enclosed pilot house for the pacific northwest seas. Hope this helps with ideas - and let us know what you decide to do - and if Santa stocks gensets! RobYamaha 1000 watt 4-stroke
I have an Oday 30 and although I was tempted to encorporate this unit into a lazzaret I was afraid of the explosive fumes from the gas. I had been using it in our cockpit when at the mooring expecting the exhuast to drift downwind but became concerned that the fumes could drift to below decks. Now when we cruise or are at the mooring I do as a friend of mine that sailed alot in the Bahamas observed on most portable units- put it in the dingy. Now we run the generator in the dingy and wrap an extension chord around the painter and to the boat. The Yamaha is quiet and now safe.It will run everything on board except the hot water heater.
I have an Oday 30 and although I was tempted to encorporate this unit into a lazzaret I was afraid of the explosive fumes from the gas. I had been using it in our cockpit when at the mooring expecting the exhuast to drift downwind but became concerned that the fumes could drift to below decks. Now when we cruise or are at the mooring I do as a friend of mine that sailed alot in the Bahamas observed on most portable units- put it in the dingy. Now we run the generator in the dingy and wrap an extension chord around the painter and to the boat. The Yamaha is quiet and now safe.It will run everything on board except the hot water heater.
Honda 650
Tagging onto the Honda generator post, we have a Honda 650 that we took along on a trip to the Queen Charlottes. This is a remote area and if the batteries ever went dead there would be no way to start the engine. Note that the 12volt output on the Honda is a lot less than the 120volt output. You'd need an adapter to go from three prong to the 30 amp connector and then run it through the inverter (we have a Hart 1000 W inverter). Because of the gas fumes, which you don't want down below deck, I put the generator in the walk-through behind the helm on our Hunter 35. Unfortunately, even though it was only a month the salt air really ruined the cosmetics, especially on the aluminum. When we do it again I'll put it inside a plastic bag. Last year we were gone for almost 2.5 months and didn't take it because of the lack of space but which I had. I absolutely hate running the engine in order to charge the batteries and the refrigeration really sucks the juice. CO from the exhaust is a definite concern!!! In the Boat US newsletter there have been several articles about people who have died from boat exhaust although the main culprits have been houseboats. The problem is the station wagon effect. We carry a CO alarm which is for house use that has a digital readout which shows the amount of CO in PPB or PPM. The alarms on these are something else - highly recommended. Personally, I would rather run any portable type gas generator outside the boat in order to keep any fumes on the outside. If it wasn't for the fact we spent a lot of time in Southeast Alaska last summer I'd probably go with a couple large solar panels. We had a lot of rainy and overcast days so solar power isn't that effective.
Tagging onto the Honda generator post, we have a Honda 650 that we took along on a trip to the Queen Charlottes. This is a remote area and if the batteries ever went dead there would be no way to start the engine. Note that the 12volt output on the Honda is a lot less than the 120volt output. You'd need an adapter to go from three prong to the 30 amp connector and then run it through the inverter (we have a Hart 1000 W inverter). Because of the gas fumes, which you don't want down below deck, I put the generator in the walk-through behind the helm on our Hunter 35. Unfortunately, even though it was only a month the salt air really ruined the cosmetics, especially on the aluminum. When we do it again I'll put it inside a plastic bag. Last year we were gone for almost 2.5 months and didn't take it because of the lack of space but which I had. I absolutely hate running the engine in order to charge the batteries and the refrigeration really sucks the juice. CO from the exhaust is a definite concern!!! In the Boat US newsletter there have been several articles about people who have died from boat exhaust although the main culprits have been houseboats. The problem is the station wagon effect. We carry a CO alarm which is for house use that has a digital readout which shows the amount of CO in PPB or PPM. The alarms on these are something else - highly recommended. Personally, I would rather run any portable type gas generator outside the boat in order to keep any fumes on the outside. If it wasn't for the fact we spent a lot of time in Southeast Alaska last summer I'd probably go with a couple large solar panels. We had a lot of rainy and overcast days so solar power isn't that effective.
Gensets...
At the risk of sounding like a snob there's nothing more destructive to the peace and quiet of an anchorage than a mariner with his "quiet" portable generator! It is quite loud especially downwind. The newer ones don't smell so bad. But your real question was where? In the 340 there was supposedly installs in the cockpit lazerette. I think it's more likely possible in one of the transom lockers. Last year we had a guy running his portable generator quite a ways away it was still very annoying and that doubled when we saw his 19" tv he was powering at our expense... Whatever we choose to do I guess it still requires common sense! Good luck, Scott
At the risk of sounding like a snob there's nothing more destructive to the peace and quiet of an anchorage than a mariner with his "quiet" portable generator! It is quite loud especially downwind. The newer ones don't smell so bad. But your real question was where? In the 340 there was supposedly installs in the cockpit lazerette. I think it's more likely possible in one of the transom lockers. Last year we had a guy running his portable generator quite a ways away it was still very annoying and that doubled when we saw his 19" tv he was powering at our expense...
Whatever we choose to do I guess it still requires common sense! Good luck, ScottPortable generators
Dave; I'm thinking of buying a 2K Honda or Yamaha generator for use on my Beneteau 40. I'd carry it in a cockpit locker and deploy it forward of the mast to use it, but only between the hours of noon and 1400 hours, when charging should be done. I'll go solar first, though, and see how it goes in Southern Cal. and Mexico.
Dave; I'm thinking of buying a 2K Honda or Yamaha generator for use on my Beneteau 40. I'd carry it in a cockpit locker and deploy it forward of the mast to use it, but only between the hours of noon and 1400 hours, when charging should be done. I'll go solar first, though, and see how it goes in Southern Cal. and Mexico.
Generator Noise
I agree with Scott with regard to the obnoxious sound of generator noise in an anchorage. To be courteous one shouldn't run a generator within earshot of another boat. In my response I didn't even think about other boats because we avoid anchorages where there are other boats. In the Queen Charlottes and SE Alaska we went for days without seeing another boat, let alone sharing an anchorage with one, so the thought didn't cross my mind. These area are protected by being a long way from anything and their weather keeps most people at bay. Standard July and August attire in the SE, where the average annual rainfall is 280 inches, is five layers of winter clothing with the top one being waterproof! One of the quietest gen sets I've seen is the Entec (Portland, OR) with their waterlift muffler. It's almost inaudible. The weight of a small diesel gen set will upset the balance of a 35 fairly easily and the soundproof shield requires more space than is generally available. Financially it may not be a good idea because you'd be lucky to get even a portion of your investment back. In most areas it's hard to beat a good solar panel installation. If the batteries are really down one can supplement charging by running the engine for a short period. And for breezy areas a wind generator really helps. If one frequents anchorages with other boats the periods when one can use a generator will be limited.
I agree with Scott with regard to the obnoxious sound of generator noise in an anchorage. To be courteous one shouldn't run a generator within earshot of another boat. In my response I didn't even think about other boats because we avoid anchorages where there are other boats. In the Queen Charlottes and SE Alaska we went for days without seeing another boat, let alone sharing an anchorage with one, so the thought didn't cross my mind. These area are protected by being a long way from anything and their weather keeps most people at bay. Standard July and August attire in the SE, where the average annual rainfall is 280 inches, is five layers of winter clothing with the top one being waterproof! One of the quietest gen sets I've seen is the Entec (Portland, OR) with their waterlift muffler. It's almost inaudible. The weight of a small diesel gen set will upset the balance of a 35 fairly easily and the soundproof shield requires more space than is generally available. Financially it may not be a good idea because you'd be lucky to get even a portion of your investment back. In most areas it's hard to beat a good solar panel installation. If the batteries are really down one can supplement charging by running the engine for a short period. And for breezy areas a wind generator really helps. If one frequents anchorages with other boats the periods when one can use a generator will be limited.
Noisey genset
Agree with all about noisey gensets in an anchorage. You'll never hear my Fisher Panda at an anchorage. You can barely hear sitting in the cockpit. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Agree with all about noisey gensets in an anchorage. You'll never hear my Fisher Panda at an anchorage. You can barely hear sitting in the cockpit. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Panda down below
About two years ago, I saw a new Catalina 36’ being outfitted with a Panda diesel in the dinette seating just in front of the galley sink. In my 83 model, 36’ the fuel tank is located there. It is on the centerline of the boat very low toward the center of the cabin. I don’t know how much noise it would make down below while running. It has a soundproof enclosure that works very, very well outside on the ground. I saw one at the Plymouth, England boat show about 5 years ago and didn’t realize it was running until I touched the case and felt the vibration. With any engine running aboard, vibration being transmitted to the hull and resonating through the boat makes more noise than the exhaust but to other boaters anchored nearby, it’s the sound of the exhaust. As a much less expensive option, I’ve considered putting a portable in the dingy but had never heard of anyone trying it before. Now I may try it. Generator or not, everyone should have a CO detector on any boat big enough to have an enclosed cabin and a source of CO. (motor, heater, galley stove, etc.)
About two years ago, I saw a new Catalina 36’ being outfitted with a Panda diesel in the dinette seating just in front of the galley sink. In my 83 model, 36’ the fuel tank is located there. It is on the centerline of the boat very low toward the center of the cabin. I don’t know how much noise it would make down below while running. It has a soundproof enclosure that works very, very well outside on the ground. I saw one at the Plymouth, England boat show about 5 years ago and didn’t realize it was running until I touched the case and felt the vibration. With any engine running aboard, vibration being transmitted to the hull and resonating through the boat makes more noise than the exhaust but to other boaters anchored nearby, it’s the sound of the exhaust. As a much less expensive option, I’ve considered putting a portable in the dingy but had never heard of anyone trying it before. Now I may try it. Generator or not, everyone should have a CO detector on any boat big enough to have an enclosed cabin and a source of CO. (motor, heater, galley stove, etc.)
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