GenSet

[Stephen P. Wilson]

I’m a new 36 owner (and c36ia member) and plan to cruise in the Chesapeake Bay area. I’m thinking about installing a generator to run the a/c to handle the muggy June/July/August weather around here. Can anyone share their experience with me regarding genset installations/pro/cons etc….

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Best, Steve Wilson

[deising]

A hearty welcome to you, Steve!

I have no genset, so cannot share info, but I can tell you that there has been a lot of discussion over time about the GenSet and A/C topic. I'm sure others will weigh in here.

And before Larry suggests it, you may wish to modify your signature under the Quick Links, User Control Panel to add your boat name, year, location, etc. It will make it easier for others to give you pertinent info.

[Stephen P. Wilson]

thanks for the welcome and suggestions

[Stephen P. Wilson]

I’m a new 36 owner (and c36ia member) and plan to cruise in the Chesapeake Bay area. I’m thinking about installing a generator to run the a/c to handle the muggy June/July/August weather around here. Can anyone share their experience with me regarding genset installations/pro/cons etc….

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[chic]

Most of the members of this organization that want AC power have opted for a Honda 2000 generator. Inexpensive and easy to use. You need to make sure it will start your ac unit. I have a flagship marine and it works fine, but I am told on other units it may not start them. Chic

[LCBrandt]

Steve, Chic and all,

To avoid duplicate threads I have deleted the thread on this topic under Cruising and moved Chic's response from there to this Forum section.

[Gunkholer 1889]

I use a Honda 2000 and store it under the helm seat. I did have to make a seat out of wood that is higher and the top is hinged towards the wheel. It is right where i use it on the swim platform plus i don't have issues with storing gas. Many others, i think store the generator in the locker and i have a friend with a C34 that stores a 1000 honda under the chart table with no isses-yet.
I prefer to keep all my gas outside.

Chris Hansen
Gunkholer #1889
Lake Mich

[ProfDruhot]

Chris, smart idea of storing gas in the cockpit. You can never be too safe aboard a boat about fumes. that location is where I am planning storing my Honday 2000 after I purchase it as well. It seems like the most logical place other than inside.

[bboggs]

I use a Honda 2000 and store it under the helm seat. I did have to make a seat out of wood that is higher and the top is hinged towards the wheel. It is right where i use it on the swim platform plus i don't have issues with storing gas. Many others, i think store the generator in the locker and i have a friend with a C34 that stores a 1000 honda under the chart table with no isses-yet.
I prefer to keep all my gas outside.

Chris Hansen
Gunkholer #1889
Lake Mich

I didn't think a Honda 2000 would run a marine AC unit, at least not one adequate for a boat with the volume of a C36.

As a Catalina owner and Chesapeake bay sailor I can say there are times when having the ability to run the AC on he hook would be great, even though it hasn't been a huge issue for us. On all but the calmest of evenings we find its comfortable in the v-berth with just a wind scoop. Throw in some rain, so you have to close the hatches though and it can be uncomfortable.

If a honda 2000 would run my AC I'd do it also, but for my current use of the boat, I don't need it just to charge batteries and run a big electric load as I gather they are primarily being used.

I believe Yamaha makes a 2400 watt unit that's not much larger that the Honda which will run a marine AC unit but I haven't heard of anyone using it on a boat yet. Supposedly it was designed for RV'ers specifically because it was the minimum to run AC units.

[pierview]

As an aside, I asked Catalina where they mounted gensets, assuming other boats did have them, when I got my boat about 5 years ago. They said they'd never installed one, hence the fact that everyone goes to the Honda units.

[rec121]

We purchased a 2005 36MKII in Nov. We have not had the boat in the water as of yet. We are thinking of purchasing a honda generator. We live in northern N.Y., so an air conditioner has not been an add on. I was thinking of the 1000 eu for general usage and battery maintenance. Will this perform these tasks? When I retire in 8 years, I want the larger generator with posssibly an a/c unit for southern sailing. Currently we sail Lake Ontario.

[William Matley]

rec121,

Search this web site for Honda or generator or air conditioner or battery charging. There has been a wealth of research done on this topic. It's not a simple yes or no answer to your question.

Do the reading, I am sure you will get all the information you need to answer your question.


Bill Matley

[plaineolde]

Realize they are much more expensive, but has anyone ever installed a diesel generator? I've seen units that are pretty small and quiet in their case. Safer than gas IMO.

[ciscocat]

Gary,
I know everyone on the list suggest a honda gas genset but i've been curious as to where you could place a diesel genset. I have a mark I so the configuration is different than yours but i have wonder if the rear bulkhead, the one that separates the aft berth could be cut in such a way as to create an area that a genset could be half in berth area and half in the lazirith making some type of water tight bulkhead. i guess the real question is does that bulkhead preform any type of structual function or is it there just to seperate the two areas. that would negate the use of that area as a berth but i believe you would have to slightly crazy to want to sleep in that area in the way it is arranged on a Mark I anyway. Just a though.
regards,
Mike
s/v Ciscocat #226