Honda Generator

Seahorse

Member
Jul 30, 2017
36
Surrey, BC, Canada
Boat Info
2002 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer, EZLoader trailer, 2018 Ford F150 King Ranch, tender Zodiac Zoom.
Engines
5.0 Mercruiser, w/Bravo III Drive
Just wondering if anyone has experience using a Honda portable? Thinking of sitting on swim grid....? Anyone?
 
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I'm out.
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience using a Honda portable? Thinking of sitting on swim grid....? Anyone?
I have one that I bought from Jim at BOE (the owner of this site). I've used it for about 8 years with excellent results.

On the swim platform isn't really an option for any length of time. It's not safe due to CO concerns and the genny will get wet if the water is anything but very calm. I'll run it back there if no one is sleeping in the cabin but I try to limit it to just long enough to use the microwave, blender, my mini shop vac, or to make a pot of coffee.

To be safe, follow a few simple rules.
  • Do not store it in the bilge. It has an integrated gas tank and may vent fumes that could cause an explosion if anything down there creates a spark. I put mine at the bottom of the cabin stairs in front of the breaker cabinet.
  • Do not run it on the swim platform if anyone is in the cabin unless all of the portlights, hatches, and doors are wide open.
  • Do not run it on the swim platform unless you secure it with a strong strap, or properly tied line in a manner that guarantees that it will not fall off.
  • Do not run it on the swim platform to run your AC when anyone is sleeping in the cabin, particularly if all of the hatches and doors are closed.
  • Only run it on the swim platform for as long as you need to use whatever AC appliance you are running. As soon as your pot of coffee is done, shut er down.
  • Buy a couple of battery operated CO detectors and put them at the lowest points in the cabin. I set one in the rear of the mid berth and one as far forward as I can on the cabin floor in the lowest section. I set them in place before starting the genny, and leave them there until I'm comfortable that all is well before turning them off and putting them away.

Now, as to on the hook. I have closed the cabin up and let the AC run for long enough to cool it down while at anchor with the genny on the platform. I do not get in the cabin while the genny is running (meaning hang out down there - I'll go below to use the head, change, or grab something). I stay on deck while the cabin cools off and then shut down the genny and make sure that the detectors aren't going off before going below. I only run it on the hook if I am anchored via the primary anchor. If I have a stern anchor out, or am tied off to the beach, I don't run the genny back there. The boat needs to align with the wind to draw the CO away from the boat. If you have a camper canvas up, and the rear curtain off, do NOT runn the genny back there. The wind passing the boat will curl around the end of the camper enclosure and will suck the CO into the boat. It's called the "station wagon effect".

It saved my butt a couple of years ago when I was having battery issues and needed to use the boat's charger to get enough battery power to start my engine after being on the hook all afternoon. Someone accidentally bumped the spotlight switch and it stayed lit all afternoon. I had my battery switch set to "both" while I had the engine running and forgot to switch it to one battery when we got there. I won't leave the dock without it if I am going away for more than a day.

I've never used it on the boat to run the AC overnight, I'll use it to run the AC overnight if I am tied to a dock that has somewhere on land to sit it that is far away from and downwind of every other boat in the area. It also has to have a way to safely run and secure my 100' of shore power cable. NEVER set the genny on the beach and run a cord to the boat. Just no. Hell no...

Every year, people do die from using a portable generator on a boat. People also die from walking into traffic while staring at their iPhones. Stupid people die, smart people don't (from doing stupid things). At the bare minimum, read as much as you can about CO. How it moves about and lingers. How much it takes to harm you. How to recognize the early symptoms of CO intoxication. If you are using a genny on a boat, you need to be aware that you are creating a potentially hazardous situation and you need to verify that you either did or did not pollute the passenger areas before anyone goes there. It is 100% safe if you are fully aware and in control of the situation. If you don't know, and don't care, you might die.

Now pass me the popcorn. I'll need it while reading all of the posts from folks calling me a dolt that are sure to follow. :rolleyes:

 
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Working new(er) CO detectors are a must.

Every time I'm out at night and hear a generator humming away on the deck of a boat I'm hoping I don't read about them being found dead next day. All generators have the possibility of CO issues so be careful.

If you are rafted up with other boaters I would encourage everyone NOT to use their generators especially at night when sleeping.
 
CO = Deadly, odorless, colorless gas. A byproduct of incomplete combustion.

CO2 = What we exhale.
 
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as my boat's genny was removed , I have been considering this option. HOWEVER , my cockpit ice maker was also removed by the PO , so I have now a large storage locker in which I would plan to stow the genny out of sight at all times other than those where I would take it out for charging duties like a previous poster said.
 
And I thought the Latin part of your signature meant "Let the silly bastards try to justify killing their family members if it makes them happy". Oh silly me………….
Actually it means, if all else fails...play dead. But your version works too.
 
Come on guys...this is only marginally more controversial than the guy posting about everything working on his boat "at nearly the same time". He got off easy....
 
Come on guys...this is only marginally more controversial than the guy posting about everything working on his boat "at nearly the same time". He got off easy....
LOL... Cut him some slack. He is a friend of mine and I swear... I've known him for years... It's never happened to him before. I think his favorite saying is "It's always something.". :p
 
LOL... Cut him some slack. He is a friend of mine and I swear... I've known him for years... It's never happened to him before. I think his favorite saying is "It's always something.". :p

Ha. It would be really fantastic if he were to use that thread for the next 10 years to chronicle anything that might happen to fall out of functional status on his boat(s). Would make for a great read!
 
Thanks very informative. Additional CO detectors will be installed. As lethal as CO is you wonder why they don't use it for executions?
 
Thanks very informative. Additional CO detectors will be installed. As lethal as CO is you wonder why they don't use it for executions?
I've often wondered that. The best explanation I can think of is that it is humane, foolproof, and cost effective. Therefore it is immediately disqualified from consideration by any government entity.
 
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