Did you buy that new? I saw them on sale at the Annapolis boat show for about $870, and I am kicking myself for not buying one then.

Lance,

This was the first summer I used my Honda 2K generator on the boat and I am very pleased with how it all worked out. Next year, I plan to use it the same way.

I didn't like the red color of the generator, it was too obvious and could invite someone to steal it, so I had my local upholsterer make a custom cover out of blue sunbrella material to match my sail cover and canvas. He did a great job and designed the cover so that I can run the generator with the cover on. The generator looks much better in blue.

I mounted the generator under the boom just forward of the dodger. I have a picture to show it better. It was a good location for me, it doesn't block my view or interfere with my sails.

I set the generator on a blue foam pad and ran a strap tie down from the port to starboard hand rails. It was very firmly attached!

I used a large bicycle cable type security lock to make sure the generator was still on the boat when I returned from any shore travel. That tie down and security system worked very well.

I took the generator with me to act as insurance against running out of power. This spring I completed my battery conversion from lead acid 4Ds to 6 volt AGM batteries and just to be sure, I got the generator.

I was planning a 3week trip that would have us anchoring out all but about 3 days. I never had to use the generator to charge the batteries. That was very satisfying.

This summer (if you can call it summer) the waters of Northern Lake Huron and the North Channel of Canada were pretty cold and my wife and I never found a day warm enough to swim. On these cool summer days, about 25 minutes of generator time would give us hot water and that means hot showers.

I purchased a pigtail to convert the end of my shore power cable to standard 110 volt configuration and then just plug in to the generator.

By the way:

I ran the hair drier for the Admiral which was much appreciated by her and settled the question about the value of the generator!

[QUOTE=William Matley;2956]
I purchased a pigtail to convert the end of my shore power cable to standard 110 volt configuration and then just plug in to the generator. [/QUOTE]

I noticed at the Annapolis show that the generators were offered with only the 110 standard plug configuration or a model already equipped with a plug for a marine 30 amp plug as well as the standard 110 plug. No additional cost.

Marinco makes adaptors available for purchase. Pigtail Adapter, 30 Amp Locking To 15 Amp Straight Blade
Part No104A

[IMG]http://www.marinco.com/files/img_main/products/104A-CMYK-05.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=Lance;2947]Allow me to pick your brain.....
Would you share your experiences: placement of generator while operating, stowage, any other issues both pro and con.
[/QUOTE]

I've seen some cruisers place a running generator in the dink and let it out, wrapping the cord around the painter. The wind keeps the dink off the mother ship downwind, carrying the fumes away from the main boat. Of course you'd want to be sure the running generator noise didn't offend any folks anchored nearby.

I know that Honda is very popular with a lot of folks but wondered if anyone had tried the Yamaha 2400 genset. I've been considering one of those, since it seems it would be capable of running our 16000 btu AC on the hook which could be handy if you had to button up due to rainy weather (which happens to us fairly regularly). The way we use our boat now, we don't really need a generator for battery charging, though it would be a nice to have.

The Yamaha also has the advantage of already being blue. lol I don't really have a strong color preference, but it seems to me, the Honda generator might be mistaken for a gas can at a long distance, of course folks steal gas also, so probably not a great camouflage.

ALTERNATIVE GENERATOR VENDORS

There have been many attempts by boat owners to obtain something for nothing over the years, and generators are one of 'em.

I strongly caution you to NOT consider alternative vendors. The Hondas work. They have been tested, tried and true. Others have been tested and found VERY wanting.

For a good summary of trying something else and why you shouldn't even bother, please read this and the ALL of the embedded links therein. and the links within the links, please.

"Lower Cost" Generator: [url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4862.0.html[/url]

"Lower Cost" is a true oxymoron...:eek:

I have read on other web sites that the biggest problem with having the generator on deck is rusting, which is why some folks put them in the cockpit storage area. According to what I have read, most generators left on the deck don't last more than a couple of seasons at which time they must be sent off to the shop for repair. Has anyone had similar experience?

How many folks store the generators in the cockpit storage?

I am thinking of purchasing a 2000 W but would like some additional input from owners who have experience with the generators.

blackmagic, if you've read the link I provided and the embedded links, you will find some of the answers to your question about storage. The physical size of the Hondas will determine where it can go, on your boat or ours. Leaving any valuable piece of equipment out in the elements makes little sense. Many as mentioned here have fabricated clever and nifty Sunbrella covers. Others run them dry and store them down below. The only question I personally cannot answer is whether a 2000 will fit in your cockpit locker 'cuz only C36 owners can answer that. However, the Honda generators on the Honda website have dimensions, which can easily be checked against your locker size. As Larry suggests many times, if you let us know more about you, like a Mark I or II, etc., it may be more helpful for answers.

I have and do store mine in the locker, though I don't seem to use it as often as I thought I might.

[QUOTE=stu jackson c34;2968]ALTERNATIVE GENERATOR VENDORS

There have been many attempts by boat owners to obtain something for nothing over the years, and generators are one of 'em.

I strongly caution you to NOT consider alternative vendors. The Hondas work. They have been tested, tried and true. Others have been tested and found VERY wanting.

For a good summary of trying something else and why you shouldn't even bother, please read this and the ALL of the embedded links therein. and the links within the links, please.

"Lower Cost" Generator: [url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4862.0.html[/url]

"Lower Cost" is a true oxymoron...:eek:[/QUOTE]

I know Honda has a mythic reputation and I wasn't looking to get "something for nothing" buying a cheap generator. Yamaha is a proven high quality brand also, and their product in this case offers capabilities the Honda doesn't due to it higher output in a similar sized unit.

Comparing it to some low cost product is not really accurate or helpful.

[QUOTE=bboggs;3026]Comparing it to some low cost product is not really accurate or helpful.[/QUOTE]

But that's NOT the point. The concept is that there are only a handful of units available. Those are the ones that were reviewed.

The issue is how reputable are the ones that folks [U]have already found to work[/U] regardless of cost.

If ANY others can come up with references, I'm all ears.

If you read the link I provided, somewhere I said I do not have a generator.

And Poppa doesn't work for Honda.;)

I have one and it works great. See attached photos

Oh, no! Someone stole my scuba tank, wet suit, fins, weight belt and mask; buckets of cleaning materials and rags; deck brush; snatch blocks and dock lines; flare kit; 4 seat cushions; companionway hatch boards; and other assorted gear.

On, wait. That's not my locker! Whew!!!! ;)