Stowing and Using generator on a CD25

TyBoo

TyBoo

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We're heading for a week in the San Juan Islands around the B'ham weekend and I'm thinking we oughta take along the Honda 2000i genny. I was wondering where others stow their generators when not in use, and where they set the things when using it.

Mine won't fit under the cutout in the v-berth (too tall). It will fit under the front dinette seat, but it would be a hassle to get in and out, and that spot is usually packed pretty full anyhow. I have always thought the head compartment was too big in the older CD25, so I could sure stick it in there. But since I'll have two teen girls along that spot will be packed pretty full too.

Also, how annoying is the noise to others at a dock, considering of course that I will be courteous with respect to the time and length of use? I have seen others use the things and have not been bothered by it, but maybe I am just easy going (the kids would dispute that).

Thanks. Microwave popcorn to share at Doe Island if it all works out.
 
Hi Mike,

We stow ours in a Rubbermaid Action Packer in the cockpit; it sits on the Action Packer in use. If we are going to be away from the boat for any length of time, I will usually put it in the cabin in front of the co-pilot seat.

I've used ours at the dock before; asked any dock neighbors if it would be annoying. Never had a problem.

Have a great time!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
The Walmart in our area has big gray plastic boxes for $4 each. The Honda 2000 fits perfectly into the box except it is about 1" too tall for the lid to close comfortably. I use a bungee hooked to the box handles to keep the lid closed. The box with the generator stays in the cockpit when under way and is moved into the cabin when we are off the boat.
 
We keep our Honda 2000i in the cockpit. I found at Lowes a black box that goes into the back of a pickup truck. It is big enough to store the generator, ac power cords, lunch anchor, and other things. We also use it as a table and seat when not using Honda. The generator will set on top when running in cockpit. We bungee the generator to the box when we run with it running. We have a steel cable that locks the box to the boat when we leave it and also it insures it does not move when motoring.
 
We use a Honda 1000 on Journey On, which has the same storage, use, etc as the bigger, heavier one. This may not be elegant, but I wrap it in a heavy duty black plastic trash bag, and set in the starboard, forward corner of the cockpit. In use, I set it on the aft corner seats, pointed aft, using a rope in case it wants to tilt over..

As to the proper etiquette of use, I think somewhere between 9 and 11 am is a good time, as people are up and about. If I have to run it in the afternoon, 3-5 probably doesn't annoy too many people.

On the other hand, some times it pays to run it into someones cockpit. I did this once when a BIG boat was right in back of us at the dock, and the lady smiled sweetly and said "I hope you don't mind if we run our generator, it shouldn't bother you." In this situation, as soon as they start their generator (which is always diesel and exhausts in your cockpit,) you start yours and point it directly at their entryway. Works wonders, and is the only time you'll wish the Honda was louder.

Boris
 
Boris, why do you try so hard to make people think you're onery? Those who know you know better!

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll look into one of those storage boxes for the cockpit. The only time I will have the generator along will be on boaterhoming trips, so the extra seat/table back there might be a big plus.

For the time being, I discovered it sits pretty much out of the way under the little sink in the head compartment. If those girls can't work around that then they need to save up their money to buy us a bigger boat. Me and my grandson sure won't be bothered by the thing.

IMG00404_20090716_2006.sized.jpg
 
We have our 2000 on the boat for the last 3 years. We bought the cover that honda sells. It has protected it well while underway or not in use. We store it on the port side of the cockpit while underway to balance the kicker on the starboard side. When we use it I set it on the swim step (port side). This keeps it out of the way and any exhaust is a non issue also shortens connection to shore power plug. I added 2 tiedowns to the swim step to strap it down and a bicycle lock around the railing keeps it from growing legs. I have seen a shelf spanning the motor well when there was no swim step. I have never had anyone complain about the noise. There seems to be alot of them in use and if your courteous about run times again non issue. I think the key to having the genny on board is to find a place for underway and stopped that you dont have to shuffle it around all the time.
 
Mike,

I'm most interested in the sink in the head area of Tyboo. Did you put it in and if so, where did you get the sink and the mount?
 
My IRA":19ky160h said:
Mike,

I'm most interested in the sink in the head area of Tyboo. Did you put it in and if so, where did you get the sink and the mount?
Click to expand...

No sir, it came with the boat. The sink is manufactured but I think the mount and little bitty counter deal is homemade by someone with more finesse and patience than me. The faucet is a two valve job with a shower hose. I took the water heater out long ago, so we only use the shower hose to rinse feet or dogs. (The water heater was 110vac and needed shore power. Most docks with power also have showers, so why bother packing the water heater.) Also, the faucet has a leak on the formerly hot side, so I have the second supply hose pinched off (with visegrips - I'll get around to fixing it someday). The only reason I even leave the sink in there is because it is handy for brushing teeth in the mornings.
 
Hey guess what - I have a nifty little shelf that Tim of Lynn Marie made me out of plastic lumber a couple years back for a bait table. It will fit real nicely in the aft corner of the cockpit just above the gunwale and inside (and secured to) the railing. Right next to the ice chests that sit on the shelf over the splashwell. It will even create a nifty little shaded cubby hole on the otherwise unusable aft seat where I can stuff the dog. After I get Tiff to the orthodontist, the hair stylin' place, to some place for breakfast, and then to her friend's house I can get to work on it. The shelf will be where it sits when running. I'm sticking it in the head for stowing this trip.
 
Well, TyBoo, you have Judy and me confused. She's the nice one, however, I do try to get along.

I do have a pet peeve as to boats running their deisel generator upwind from me in an otherwise anchorage. This probably comes from my sailboat days. And now, we've run across BIG boats running their generators at the dock, because 20 amps is "trivial." Being woken up at 6 am by the smells and sounds of a diesel is a pleasure I wouldn't deny to anyone. I thought that my suggestion was a acceptable, semi-passive way of stopping that action, since talking to them only gets everyone upset.

Love that sink. Where to does it drain?

Boris
 
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