Rich,
If you are 100% sure that you only want the Honda to charge your batteries, then the 1000 will do fine. If, on the other hand, you ever want to heat up water for a shower or two, then go for the 2000. The 1000 will not handle the 1500 watt element in the water heater. I was torn last year with the same decision, and I'm glad I went with the 2000. It's still fairly easy to lift and move it around the boat. IMHO.

Rich,

I agree with Tom.

I also cruise the North Channel and had to make the Honda 1 or 2 decision. After a lot of reading and thought, I went with the Honda 2000. Like Tom said, if you want to warm up the hot water tank, the 2000 is the only way to go.

You know how the weather of the North Channel can be and there is nothing better on a cold drab day than hot food and a hot shower. If it's warm and sunny we swim, but last year we had very few hot days and no swimming days so the old saying "plan for the worst and hope for the best" really applies here.

I saw them today at Camper World for $999.99. For the couple boat units more, consider the 2000i.

But you will have to consider how to store the generator. A search of this forum for the "Honda generator" should give you plenty to consider.

Any info on where to store a Honda 2000 on an MK1? Hoping to store it in one of the cockpit lockers. Any of you currently storing a 2000 in a locker when not in use? I've heard the 1000 will fit - but I'm thinking I'd like to have hot water or a bit of heat at anchor.

cheers
jt

Some more food for thought on the available models from Honda: [url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4861.0.html[/url](link is external)

I cannot offer any suggestion on the Mk 1 but the Honda 2000i is the best way to go, certainly for hot water. We love ours. On the Mk ll it stores in the Port Lazarette however it will take some space that you may need for other items. It has to be stored at the very back due to its height so the lid will close. Unless you are a pack rat it will be an easy fit. When we were looking at also storing a life raft valise in the same area, space and height became a problem because of the 2000i. We eventually bought a canister and stored the 4 person viking ahead of the mast in a cradle which has worked out well. It does not get in the way of the Dingy which can be stowed upside down over the life raft for short trips.
John Meyer
Cruising Mexico - Currently in La Paz

John, are you describing the port lazarette, or the cockpit locker? Seems to me the cockpit locker would be the better place.

Here's a related question. How do you deal with storing gasoline on board? I'm terribly paranoid about gasoline, as I knew someone who's 40 ft. boat exploded, blowing him 50 feet from the fly bridge and leaving his wife hospitalized for 6 months from the burns. And he did everything right, run the blowers for 10 minutes, check the bilge sniffers, but still blew up.

I keep a small bottle of gas for my 2HP outboard. I store it in the propane locker along with a couple propane bottles for the BBQ. That vents overboard, so little chance that a spill could get below.

How do the rest of you deal with mitigating the risk?

[QUOTE=LCBrandt;10969]John, are you describing the port lazarette, or the cockpit locker? Seems to me the cockpit locker would be the better place.[/QUOTE]

Larry:
It is the port cockpit locker
John

Gary and Kathy,

Having a Honda generator opens up many options that are not available without 110 volt power available.

I purchased the smallest shop vac I could find and with the Honda, I get a great boat clean up vacuum cleaner. I can also do a bang up job on the bilge water so a shop vac is a great tool to keep on board.

Now as to your gas can issue, get the smallest most leak proof gas can you can find and after its full of gas, put it in one of those air tight plastic vacuum bags. The vacuum fitting is made for your shop vac and will give you an air tight, liquid tight, extra protection container. Store your gas can in your cockpit locker and sleep soundly.

You don't need much gas for the generator, 2 (1) gallon cans should do you just fine. If you have a dinghy motor that happens to be a 4 stroke, your dinghy fuel can be your reserve.

Bill Matley

Always the contrarian, time for the other view.

First, while most folks go Honda you could also consider a Yamaha gen. They are every bit as reliable as a Honda, have basically the same specs and are often somewhat cheaper. Speaking from experience here, we had a Yamaha gen that got run 5 weekends a year in the middle of winter and that was it for the year, it sat ignored in the garage until the next season started. It never failed to start the next year and never required anything but fuel. Always used fuel stabilizer though.

However. We thought about a generator for the boat but decided solar and wind were the way to go... in the interest of keeping things simple, less likely to break, a bit green (maybe) and quieter (the wind gen is not loud like the old screamers were). We've been anchored near boats with Hondas running on them and they are annoying when there's no background wind/wave noise like when you're in a still anchorage and you really want to enjoy quiet and nature. So far that has worked well, especially the solar, though the wind gen is useful as well. No doubt we could have bought two Yamahas or Hondas for what that cost us.

We have set the boat up so we have little need for 110V, the battery charger is the only pure 110V thing we have. Hot water comes from either a solar bag or engine heat when we need to motor. We have a 12V vacuum, but mostly use a broom. We have several 12V outlets. Our biggest 12V draw is the fridge and it averages 2 amps, running 20 minutes out of the hour.

So far, running the engine with the big alternator and external regulator for approximately 1/2 hr morning and evening getting on and off anchor, and the wind/solar, has kept our batteries up, usually they're at 100% by evening. In 7 - 10 knots of wind the wind gen will keep them there overnight easily carrying the fridge load.

We don't want to live like we do at home when we're on the boat, we want a different, simpler experience. So things like toasters, microwaves and hair dryers are out. We still make toast (on the stove with a camping toaster), bathe and dry our hair (the wind and short hair works great) but not like we do at home. And for coffee, boil water, french press, insulated stainless steel boat mugs.

We keep the dinghy gas can on the sugar scoop tied securely to the rail supports, that way any leak would go overboard (that way you only are risking a $10000 or more fine, not your life).

It's not for everyone but it works for us. YMMV.

[QUOTE=William Matley;10976]Now as to your gas can issue, get the smallest most leak proof gas can you can find and after its full of gas, put it in one of those air tight plastic vacuum bags. The vacuum fitting is made for your shop vac and will give you an air tight, liquid tight, extra protection container. Store your gas can in your cockpit locker and sleep soundly.[/QUOTE]

I always thought gasoline expanded with heat. Would this create any issue in a vacuum situation?

Mike

Mike, you are probably right, gas will expand with heat and if there is any air in the container, it will negate the vacuum. I suppose you could seal the bag when the gas is warm but I thought the issue here was to control the gas vapor. The heavy plastic bag seemed like a simple solution.

In my case, I have my dinghy on davits and I keep my generator gas can in the dinghy with my outboard gas can. I was just trying to offer an alternative to those who are concerned about storing gasoline in the cockpit locker.

I have used these vacuum storage bags for linens, towels sheets etc stored on the boat over the winter. They come out of the bag in great shape after 7 months of unheated storage.

Just thought it would work for a gas can.

Bill Matley

I store my gas can (when I have one aboard) under the center seat in the cockpit - just forward of the swim platform. It just fits under there and I figure any fumes will tend to blow overboard.

Like John, I also store the Gas Can under the center seat. Only problem is it moves about in choppy conditions. I then sit it on an old towel which if wet, seems to stop the movement. It still leaves enough space for cockpit drainage.
Cruising Mexico - In La Paz
John Meyer