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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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?

 

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

 

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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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.

 

The last one I recall seeing a generator out of was an '06-'07, and the engine was not removed, but some of the exhaust plumbing was removed. The mechanics at our marina have access to several large forklifts and a travel lift so lifting the generator in various configurations depending upon space limitations isn't a problem. They frequently remove the linear actuators to open hatches more then 90˚.

If t here is any magic to this installation it may be selecting a generator that is a low profile design. Both Westerbeke and Kohler sell 5.0KW low-co gasoline generators that are under 18" tall.

 

No idea on cost.

I do agree with jimT and frankw, a cabin boat w/o a genset won't sell in Florida. Perfectly fine in other parts of the country.

It's not that you can discount the boat enough to sell it, most buyers don't want the hassle/risk of unknown cost/etc to buy without and then add after the purchase.

All the other boats on the market there will have a genset.

A few years ago a friend with a nice tiara had it in bareboat charter in Maine. I used the boat a couple times in Maine, nice boat.

This was back when the power bareboat market was still viable and healthy. He decided one fall that he wanted to move it to Florida and put it in bareboat charter there. None of the brokers would touch it since it did not have a genset.

Mark

 

Build a cardboard box the same size as the genny. You'll be tempted to maneuver the box in ways that you won't be able to as compared to a heavy block of iron on a hoist, so try to resist that and just maneuver it the way you can imagine it would while on a hoist. However, there's always some wiggle room on a hoist and you could even (somewhat) simulate it by tying a rope to the box to simulate the hoist, too. It's not 100% foolproof, but it should at least give you a pretty good idea. One of the tricks to getting something like a genny into position is using 2x4's wedge/move the genny sideways as you lower it. I haven't done this procedure on a 340 to say if it is or isn't possible without removing anything, but getting some of the cubic-foot-space-robbing items such as an outboard manifold or exhaust tubing will certainly make things easier.

 

I removed the genset from my 330DA, rebuilt it, and reinstalled it. I removed the starboard engine's outboard exhaust manifold, which allowed more than sufficient space for two other guys and myself to lift it out. I hired the marina's forklift driver to help me reinstall it and that was a lot easier.

I don't think dropping it into the engine space will be a huge challenge. While the hull and cockpit design is different, Sea Ray tends to leave space for servicing. I would not, however, recommend installing a diesel generator in a gasoline powered boat. Diesel generators aren't ignition protected. Would be tremendously ironic to blow the boat up in the pursuit of increased safety.

 

Diesel generators aren't ignition protected. Would be tremendously ironic to blow the boat up in the pursuit of increased safety.

Incorrect. Simply chose carefully: http://fischerpanda.com/services/.

 

I'm actually surprised that there are so many over 30' cruisers without generators. Once I moved above a single engine mid 20' cruiser, that was a must have in our area. We're not that far south, but I can't imagine not having one on that large a boat. I hope the OP can add one relatively affordabaly as I think it would be hard to sell otherwise.

 

Consider the cost of shipping the boat back north vs the cost of installation of the genset.

 

It won't sell there either cause it was used in the "evil" saltwater.

 

This is the tread on the 380 generator replacement.
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/62742-New-Generator-Install-in-a-380DA?highlight=generator

The 380 has a lot more room than a 340, so I am not suggesting that you can slide a generator into 340 without moving an engine.

Doubt I could get mine out of my bilge without pulling an engine.

 

No Scott, I don't take this forum stuff personally.....I just think unfounded and incorrect generalization do more damage then good.

 

"When you Great Lakes boaters are just talking about boats during the 5-6 months your boats are in storage, our boats are not just sitting in the sun. We are out having fun with them."

I was going to say the same thing.

 

Some friends and I were talking about some future trips a couple weeks ago and then reality set in....we're at the end of the season....it's over, I'm pulling my boat next week. Normally I wait a couple more weeks but I want to get ahead of the rush because I have a couple things to do. How many hours you have on your boat?

 

Seems to be a well defined pecking order on this site

 

Vince, did you have a cigarette when you got off that generator? ;-)

One reason I passed on the '03-07 vintage 340DA - ROOM TO ROAM in the ER. I had had enough of that cramped situation with my previous boat.

 

I call it bilge yoga. The joys of trying to get the lower intake hose back on the water pump. At that is the "easy" side.

 

I'll poke the bear on this one - I haven't been posting that much lately. On my 340, which is a hair narrower than the 2003 - 2008 generation, a Westerbeke 5.0 Low Profile genset can be removed and replaced, complete, without pulling an engine. The starboard engine exhaust manifold and riser do have to come off, but that's it - no further disassembly is required. The hatch does need to be disconnected from the ram(s), and stood straight up. On a similar vintage 380, the whole job can be done without even pulling a manifold, although the exhaust hoses need to be pulled for access. Otherwise, common practices for rigging equipment will see you through the job.

Dale