Hi everyone, As you can see I am a motor boater that is seriously considering switching to a sailboat. I have many questions, but I will start our with one. I have pretty much desided to go with a Catalina 32-34'. Many of the ads on these boats list A/C, but I see no listed generator. Does that mean that these boats only can use A/C with shore power? If so, what options are available for using A/C when at anchor without shorepower? Thanks
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Many are shore power only.
When we bought our 1990 IP 38 it came with a 16,000 btu a/c that was ducted through out the cabin. It ran only on shore power. To run any of these size a/c units at anchor requires a fairly large generator and inverted system. We sailed in the Gulf Coast, Florida and Bahamas and found that when riding on anchor (which was all we did)a simple hatch scoop worked very satisfactorily. Our boat also has 12 opening ports and about 6 hatches and 4 dorades, therefore 1 sccop was enough. Ray
When we bought our 1990 IP 38 it came with a 16,000 btu a/c that was ducted through out the cabin. It ran only on shore power. To run any of these size a/c units at anchor requires a fairly large generator and inverted system. We sailed in the Gulf Coast, Florida and Bahamas and found that when riding on anchor (which was all we did)a simple hatch scoop worked very satisfactorily. Our boat also has 12 opening ports and about 6 hatches and 4 dorades, therefore 1 sccop was enough. Ray
Y
Yngve Paulsen
Yes you can
I use a Honda generator, I think it puts out 20 amps A.C. current amd works great our 12000 Btu unit. I also hear that it operates the 16000 Btuy as well, and it si really quiet. By the way it is a carry on generator so it does not have to be installed on the boat. It does double duty, generator at home when needed and on the boat when we will on the hook. Don
I use a Honda generator, I think it puts out 20 amps A.C. current amd works great our 12000 Btu unit. I also hear that it operates the 16000 Btuy as well, and it si really quiet. By the way it is a carry on generator so it does not have to be installed on the boat. It does double duty, generator at home when needed and on the boat when we will on the hook. Don
Y
Yngve
Where do you store it?
How much would such a generator cost, and where do you keep it while it is running? Also where do you store it while underway? I think that w/o airconditioning my wife would not enjoy being at anchor in hot Florida. Thanks
How much would such a generator cost, and where do you keep it while it is running? Also where do you store it while underway? I think that w/o airconditioning my wife would not enjoy being at anchor in hot Florida. Thanks
Your asking really good questions
Something else to consider is a boom tent. It can be a PITA but it does help keep the hot sun off the cabin roof. Check it out along with the hatch scoop in the archives section. Good luck, Jack PS. Cold front coming in this weekend, highs will be in the upper 80's. SWEEETTT!!!
Something else to consider is a boom tent. It can be a PITA but it does help keep the hot sun off the cabin roof. Check it out along with the hatch scoop in the archives section. Good luck, Jack PS. Cold front coming in this weekend, highs will be in the upper 80's. SWEEETTT!!!
Honda Eu2000i Generator
txsailor mentions a Honda generator that really is quite a nice piece of equipment. The eu2000i puts out 2000W, is pretty quiet, is pretty light (under 60 lbs), and is pretty compact (20" long, 11.5" wide and 16.7" tall)- all good things on a boat. On my C350, I can store it in one of the cockpit lockers, and run it on the swim platform. I can't speak to how much A/C it will support (we're in the Northwest and don't usually need it on a boat), but it will heat water, charge batteries, and run anything else I need on the boat. It's quiet, not silent. Other boaters in anchorages will hear it. Is it loud? I suppose only if the stern of my boat is pointing at you, you are close by, and I've got a good load on it (hot water heater). With it running on the swimstep, it is barely noticeable on our bow. You will be introducing gasoline to your boat (unless you already have an outboard somewhere). You can get one delivered in 5-7 bus. days from Mayberry's at 1-800-696-1745 for under $900 - no tax, free delivery (or add $52 for 3 day shipping) - which is about as low as you'll find it. Nice Product! Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
txsailor mentions a Honda generator that really is quite a nice piece of equipment. The eu2000i puts out 2000W, is pretty quiet, is pretty light (under 60 lbs), and is pretty compact (20" long, 11.5" wide and 16.7" tall)- all good things on a boat. On my C350, I can store it in one of the cockpit lockers, and run it on the swim platform. I can't speak to how much A/C it will support (we're in the Northwest and don't usually need it on a boat), but it will heat water, charge batteries, and run anything else I need on the boat. It's quiet, not silent. Other boaters in anchorages will hear it. Is it loud? I suppose only if the stern of my boat is pointing at you, you are close by, and I've got a good load on it (hot water heater). With it running on the swimstep, it is barely noticeable on our bow. You will be introducing gasoline to your boat (unless you already have an outboard somewhere). You can get one delivered in 5-7 bus. days from Mayberry's at 1-800-696-1745 for under $900 - no tax, free delivery (or add $52 for 3 day shipping) - which is about as low as you'll find it. Nice Product! Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
T
Tony
Gen Set
I have a 320 and had Reverse Cycle Heat/AC installed for around $3K over 3 years ago in Annapolis, MD..... best move I could make summers here are just a little too hot in July and August while at the dock (90-95 degrees). I have a 16000 BTU unit that runs only at the dock and it works great. Have not really needed it so far while on the hook, although it would be nice to have the option to use it. . I looked into have a GEN Set installed, one like a small panda was going to cost between $7K to $9K and take up a lot of room. I would rather put the money into other projects and save the storage space. . I am thinking about the Honda that other on this site talk about but have been told that it would not start / run a 16000 BTU unit. There is a whole string concerning this topic on the Catalina 320 International Web Site. I still may buy the Honda and try it to run the AC but even if it does not I can use it to run the Hot Water heater, Micro Wave and recharge batteries and always take it home to use in an emergency. You do need to plan on where to store the gas. I do not recommend storing the generator or gas in any lockers that are not designed for that reason. If you can make it to the UIS Sail Boat Show in Annapolis 9-14 Oct you can see and talk to all the Gen Set companies and installers. Tony Hull #30
I have a 320 and had Reverse Cycle Heat/AC installed for around $3K over 3 years ago in Annapolis, MD..... best move I could make summers here are just a little too hot in July and August while at the dock (90-95 degrees). I have a 16000 BTU unit that runs only at the dock and it works great. Have not really needed it so far while on the hook, although it would be nice to have the option to use it. . I looked into have a GEN Set installed, one like a small panda was going to cost between $7K to $9K and take up a lot of room. I would rather put the money into other projects and save the storage space. . I am thinking about the Honda that other on this site talk about but have been told that it would not start / run a 16000 BTU unit. There is a whole string concerning this topic on the Catalina 320 International Web Site. I still may buy the Honda and try it to run the AC but even if it does not I can use it to run the Hot Water heater, Micro Wave and recharge batteries and always take it home to use in an emergency. You do need to plan on where to store the gas. I do not recommend storing the generator or gas in any lockers that are not designed for that reason. If you can make it to the UIS Sail Boat Show in Annapolis 9-14 Oct you can see and talk to all the Gen Set companies and installers. Tony Hull #30
EU2000i
The EU2000i Honda generator doesn't produce 2000 watts except on initial surge start up on an appliance, the working watts produced is 1600. I have copied and pasted from a Honda dealer site the specs per watts produced: Honda Eu2000i Generator Specifications Engine: 3.5 HP, Single Cylinder, Overhead Cam, Air Cooled Displacement: 98.5 cc AC Output: 120V 2000W max.(16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A)
The EU2000i Honda generator doesn't produce 2000 watts except on initial surge start up on an appliance, the working watts produced is 1600. I have copied and pasted from a Honda dealer site the specs per watts produced: Honda Eu2000i Generator Specifications Engine: 3.5 HP, Single Cylinder, Overhead Cam, Air Cooled Displacement: 98.5 cc AC Output: 120V 2000W max.(16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A)
3000 Watts
I have a C-30 and an RV and use a generator on my RV, primarily to run my microwave. Mine (EU2000i) is too small to run my A/C, but I know that the general consensus on the RV websites is that a 3000 watt generator is the minimum required to run a typical RV A/C unit (12k - 15k BTU). As others have mentioned, the starting load is the critical factor. In addition, the ambient air temperature is another factor. It will take more wattage to run a unit in 95 degrees than 85 degrees (humidity may also be a factor, but I'm not sure of that). In RVs you also have to consider altitude, but we can cross that off the list unless you're sailing in a mountain lake. Portable 3000 watt generators are pretty heavy and many RV'rs attach two Honda 2000 watt generators together (using a special kit) since they're easier to move around. Hondas are generally considered to be the gold standard in portable generators. If you plan on pairing two together, you'll need to stick to Hondas or make sure that whatever you buy is designed to be twinned. You definitely want to stay away from the typical "home-owner/workshop" type generators that run $300 or so. They are incredibily noisy. If you want to learn more than you ever wanted to know about portable generators, check out the Open Roads Forum's Tech Issues forum at the attached link. I would think that most of the information is as applicable to boats as to RVs.
I have a C-30 and an RV and use a generator on my RV, primarily to run my microwave. Mine (EU2000i) is too small to run my A/C, but I know that the general consensus on the RV websites is that a 3000 watt generator is the minimum required to run a typical RV A/C unit (12k - 15k BTU). As others have mentioned, the starting load is the critical factor. In addition, the ambient air temperature is another factor. It will take more wattage to run a unit in 95 degrees than 85 degrees (humidity may also be a factor, but I'm not sure of that). In RVs you also have to consider altitude, but we can cross that off the list unless you're sailing in a mountain lake. Portable 3000 watt generators are pretty heavy and many RV'rs attach two Honda 2000 watt generators together (using a special kit) since they're easier to move around. Hondas are generally considered to be the gold standard in portable generators. If you plan on pairing two together, you'll need to stick to Hondas or make sure that whatever you buy is designed to be twinned. You definitely want to stay away from the typical "home-owner/workshop" type generators that run $300 or so. They are incredibily noisy. If you want to learn more than you ever wanted to know about portable generators, check out the Open Roads Forum's Tech Issues forum at the attached link. I would think that most of the information is as applicable to boats as to RVs.
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