To Add Or Not Add A Generator, That Is The Question...

[MonacoMike]

A friend purchased a nice 2005 340 DA in Michigan last year and used the boat on Lake Michigan last year. Due to a job situation they had move to the Jacksonville Florida area and moved the boat there. As you might imagine they wish they had AC when out of the slip. A generator install will likely be $10-$12k. Will they get the cost back at selling or trade time should they do the install and enjoy it or tough it out a couple of years and use that money for the next boat?

Any recommendations for a place to get that work done in the Jacksonville area?

MM

 

[dpmulvey]

Dare I say Honda?

Beyond that, a 340 is perfect for Jax. Not too big.... Not too small. Easy enough to get to all the Jax waterfront has to offer. Green Cove is a hop, skip and jump from the Timaquana bridge.

In all honesty, I would Honda for a year then decide on a perm install should the 340 prove to be the "perfect" SR for them. FWIW, FLA boats require offshore power for nighttime AC.

When end I was stationed at JAX, the guys at Huckins did a lot of this stuff.

tell your friend to enjoy. JAX rocks if you know where to go.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Get out the popcorn!

Seriously, hasn't the Honda, or any portable genset, been beat to death here?

I concede it can be done with acceptable risk levels for short term charging of batteries. But as a long term/overnight methods of running AC, that's just down right suicidal. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable running a gas powered marine genset overnight.

I do think the 10 to 12 k estimate is accurate for a new gen. But in Fla there seem to be a number of companies selling remans at substantially less. I don't know the age of your friend's boat, but a reman might be more age appropriate.

Henry


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[JimT]

It will be Very difficult selling a boat in Florida that doesn't have a generator. Here in the Carolinas a 34' boat without a genny would be a hard sell. In Florida at resale time there will be 50 similar boats all with gennys. Spend the money and enjoy it for the next few years.

 

[hottoddie]

A Honda 2000 does have enough output to run a 16k btu AC. Need at least 2500 watt unit. Like others have said install the marine genset and be done. Go for a good reman. I would go with a Westerbeke 4.5-5k unit.

 

[Jeremygavin]

If I was going to add a generator to a 340 DA I would do it right and add one of these. http://fischerpanda.com/ac-6500-generator/ Diesel so you don't have to worry about CO poisoning, very quiet with the shield and suitcase they are built in and they have a Kubota 2 cyl engine so it will run forever as long as you keep it maintained. Only downfall is where to put the diesel fuel tank but that would be a small price to pay to have a diesel generator. My friend has one in his 305 conquest whaler and it is awesome.
I am not sure this addition would be cost effective compared to a gas unit but even for a few grand more it would be worth it to me.

 

[Do Over]

Get out the popcorn!

Seriously, hasn't the Honda, or any portable genset, been beat to death here?

I concede it can be done with acceptable risk levels for short term charging of batteries. But as a long term/overnight methods of running AC, that's just down right suicidal. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable running a gas powered marine genset overnight.

I do think the 10 to 12 k estimate is accurate for a new gen. But in Fla there seem to be a number of companies selling remans at substantially less. I don't know the age of your friend's boat, but a reman might be more age appropriate.

Henry


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Its an '05 (first post).....,what's the problem with running a gasoline marine gen set all night? (I do it all the time out on the hook).....CO? That's what you have monitors for (as long as you keep them in good working condition)......no worries.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Its an '05 (first post).....,what's the problem with running a gasoline marine gen set all night? (I do it all the time out on the hook).....CO? That's what you have monitors for (as long as you keep them in good working condition)......no worries.

Good for you,

Yes,

Monitors can fail,

How do you keep a sealed electronic device in "good order"?

We've also had our CO alarm go off in the middle of the night because we were down wind of boats running their gensets.

It also seems a matter of courtesy to the other folks who might not enjoy going to sleep to the sound of somebody's generator.

Henry

 

[bbwhitejr]

Good for you,

Yes,

Monitors can fail,

How do you keep a sealed electronic device in "good order"?

We've also had our CO alarm go off in the middle of the night because we were down wind of boats running their gensets.

It also seems a matter of courtesy to the other folks who might not enjoy going to sleep to the sound of somebody's generator.

Henry

We run ours all night, but never in the company of others. Without it, a night on the hook would be unbearable.

Bennett

 

[JimT]

I run my genny overnight. I have multiple CO detectors. Hard wired and battery operated. I also installed a sound shield and dual stage muffle because I couldn't take the noise. Down here summer nights can be above 90 degrees with oppressive dewpoints. Without AC I wouldn't overnight.

 

[kevin27]

I have never seen a 340 without a gen! That's just crazy.

 

[northern]

We have 8KW gas generator it uses 1.2 US GPH at 70% Load. Know people with diesel and it is 3/4US GPH. If you are going to run it 12 house a day you would save 6 GPD that is $20 at present fuel costs. But you would have 2 fuel types and tanks on the boat. No idea if a gas generator costs less than diesel. The new gas ones may be more efficient.

 

[fwebster]

Here are a couple of interesting points:

1. A member here on CSR bought a boats with a DOA generator; immediately replaced it with a new, low-CO 7.6KW Westerbeke and including freight had about $7500 in the new generator. I think the $10K estimate is high.

2. I am in Florida and a local Doc here ordered a new 2006 340DA without a generator because he only used the boat as a day boat. He decided to move up in about 12 months and the local dealer refused to take the boat in trade because it had no generator. He brokered it and finally got it sold in 2011......after he paid the marina to install a generator.

 

[scoflaw]

Don't see that happening on the cheap. His boat might not be wired for it, fuel lines, etc. not sure. At the very least the drive and engine need to be pulled and reinstalled. What say the labor charge on this might be?

 

[MonacoMike]

The dealers in Michigan say the starboard engine must be removed to get the generator in the bilge. Marine Max charged $11k to install the one I have in my boat several years ago. My boat did require all wiring, Vacuflush and fresh water reconfiguration.

MM

 

[MonacoMike]

Here are a couple of interesting points:

1. A member here on CSR bought a boats with a DOA generator; immediately replaced it with a new, low-CO 7.6KW Westerbeke and including freight had about $7500 in the new generator. I think the $10K estimate is high.

2. I am in Florida and a local Doc here ordered a new 2006 340DA without a generator because he only used the boat as a day boat. He decided to move up in about 12 months and the local dealer refused to take the boat in trade because it had no generator. He brokered it and finally got it sold in 2011......after he paid the marina to install a generator.

Your second point was in line with my expectation. Thanks

MM

 

[importmonkey]

This is why I made sure the boat I got had a generator. Resell, convenience, etc. I think adding one expands your buyer pool but won't recoup your investment. IMHO it's like puting in a pool in your back yard. I'd look at their needs vs cost and make the decision that way. Love the boat? Gen it. Otherwise, it's a great excuse to size up (this time with one).

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[fwebster]

No, Scott, I am not wrong. What makes the numbers seem out of place is that your dealer tried to charge you full retail, plus the "I don't want this job" factor.

Here is the math: The generator I mentioned was a real guy who paid $7600 cash for the generator and both his 380DA and your 340DA require nothing more than setting the generator in place and connecting the existing harness on the boat. The 340 probably does require running a small wiring harness to the main panel, probably $500 in materials and a couple of hours in labor, yet you say your your dealer tried to clip you for $18K, installed? Just because your dealer tried to bend you over on a generator install doesn't make me wrong.

One approach you might consider is buying a remanned generator from a reputable company. There are several in south Florida that our dealer uses for replacements. Depending upon size, gas ones are $5K and up; diesels at bout 8KW are about $6000. They all have warranties. On a boat that is several years old, a remanned generator will not have a negative affect on the boat's value but having a generator will definitely increase the blue and salability.

 

[Do Over]

Good for you,

Yes,

Monitors can fail,

How do you keep a sealed electronic device in "good order"?

We've also had our CO alarm go off in the middle of the night because we were down wind of boats running their gensets.

It also seems a matter of courtesy to the other folks who might not enjoy going to sleep to the sound of somebody's generator.

Henry

I don't run it in the middle of a bunch of boats.....I'm out by myself......I can also be struck by lightning but I don't let that dictate how I live my life....gimme a break.

 

[stephenm27]

I don't think the 340 has anything pre-installed for a generator. I know my boat pretty well, and have never seen anything that would make me believe it would be a simple install and hook up. I wish you were correct though, I'd really like to have a generator...I'll keep looking around at the avenues you suggest though, but I must say, I would be thrilled to get it done for the money you allude to, but I will also be prepared to eat my hat, as I don't think it is possible.

FWIW, I have installed a marine generator on a (my) boat (not my SR) that wasn't previously equipped from the manufacturer for it. I don't install them for a living and this was a first for me. That said, it wasn't nearly as expensive (in terms of costs) as what you've been quoted. In my case, materials were sub-one-thousand dollars (marine-quality AC wiring to electrical panel, main breakers, fuel line, exhaust hose, muffler, SS thru-hulls, sea cock, etc). My project also involved a separate fuel tank as I was placing a diesel (Entec West) genset in a gas boat. Total install labor was probably less than 30 hours total and that includes all the "first-timer learning" that I endured. A real shop should have this down to a science (and be far more efficient labor-wise).

Hopefully you can find someone that will quote the job reasonably for you...having a generator is definitely a "must-have" for us in the South and I think they add great flexibility/freedom for enjoying the boat.

(BTW--congrats on getting your wings back---great to hear!)