On the hook and running gen overnight

[madhatter1]

Have never done this. Scares the hell out of me but so many say safe with Diesel and no mechanical issues. We are in FL so spending the night with no AC is not an option.

Anyone do this? I would open up a whole new world for using the boat and towing the dink around. I would set 4 battery powered CO detectors (the ones with display and 10 year battery) in the salon, galley(down), and each berth. Boat is in excellent mechanical condition.

Advise please and feel free to school me on this. Marinas can be fun but want to get to the beach and also make some good chow rather than do the restaurant thing.

 

[piripucha]

We do it all the time. I have 2 generators that we use arround the clock. One at night the other during the day. Just take into account that they do conssume fuel so do not overlook their consumption in your fuel calculations. Enjoy.

 

[rustybucket]

On our multi-day trips the gen cranks before we leave the dock and only shuts down to check the oil. It runs 24/7 for 3-5 days.

If all your auto-shutdown systems are good to go there is no problem.

 

[Freeebird]

This is precisely why God created the generator. It’s perfectly safe, and you are taking the necessary precautions. The only thing I would add is running the blowers while at rest. Not really necessary beyond keeping things cooler below deck, but it comes from decades of running gas generators (gasp) while I slept in air conditioned comfort.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

But...all night while in a marina, NO! One of my CO detectors fired earlier this month at around 6AM. The charter boat next to me came in around 1:30AM and decided to stay on the generator(s) rather than plug-in. I had a couple of port lights open, and the wind was just right. I thought it was a fire alarm at first!

 

[Passages]

I'm also in South Florida and my wife would mutiny if we anchored out without AC.

I initially shared your concerns but fear not - run the genny - save the marriage.

 

[madhatter1]

Thank you all. Going to go to some nearby places this weekend and try to get comfortable with it. I have a camper with a gas gen that even though sealed up good when the wind blows the right direction the CO alarm goes of. Did this when camper was new. That was the end of that.


When we had a fuel leak on our trip in June the only way to smell it was through the air vents in the gunnels. Never get a whiff from interior ER hatch. Will pick up the CO detectors, test (for shits and giggles) in the garage behind the wife's car, and them put them on the boat.

 

[Passages]

Diesel exhaust is much less toxic than gasoline.

Don't go sucking on a diesel exhaust pipe though.

 

[SEVEN]

Nothing like the smell of Diesel in the morning.

 

[Pascal]

Diesel normally don’t produce enough CO to be a worry but CO detector are still a must

Sometimes in the Exumas we stay run onnthe gensets for 2 weeks at a time and yes while not ideal in a marina it’s pretty common at places with bad shore power.

 

[Reefgeorge]

We run the gen all night on the hook and all day when running or fishing. We have run the gen in a marina a few times in the Bahamas when there was no power but that’s really nasty when all the boats are doing the same on a calm summer night.

George

 

[34Hatt]

I don't like to listen to it all the time so I cool down the hole boat then switch to the inverter and just run the 5K I put in the front bunk room. I have (6) 6 volt golf carts and at 9 am I am at 12.35- 12.30 volts same boat so I know it works
You may need the 5k unit and the inverter

 

[nautibake]

I don't like to listen to it all the time so I cool down the hole boat then switch to the inverter and just run the 5K I put in the front bunk room. I have (6) 6 volt golf carts and at 9 am I am at 12.35- 12.30 volts same boat so I know it works
You may need the 5k unit and the inverter

First the OP question: we are also in S FL and and anchor out every few weeks. We had a good routine of running GenSet twice a day for morning and evening meals, AC cool down if needed and battery charging, etc., then running off inverter remainder of day and night. Then summer came. Had to get used to running GenSet all-night and all-day, but now it is normal and oh - so much more comfortable. Only problem is fwd SR queen berth sits right on top of the 21 Kw GenSet. We can barely hear it in MSR but not great for guests. Kind of wishing for a smaller, quieter back up GenSet, also for running AC at night. We still shut the GenSet off whenever we take the tender out, would be curious to know if others ever leave it on? Pros and cons I’m sure. I don’t have auto shut off feature.

So 34Hatt, you installed a 5Kw GenSet in the V-berth area? Would you mind sharing any details? I have an inverter but no nowhere near the capacity needed for running the AC. thanks...

 

[Pascal]

I believe Dan was referring to a small 5k BTU AC he can run on inverter overnight, not to a 5KW genset

Not sure what you mean by “I don’t have auto shut off features”. AFAIK all genset have low oil pressure and overheat shut down switches, many also have low raw water flow and high exhaust temp shut down as well.

When anchored and away from the boat we usually leave the genset on unless it s cool enough like in winter. Our older boats have excellent ventilation but most modern boats do not and even in winter you can not survive without the genset running the AC. Shutting them down isn’t an option even for an hour as when you get back you ll be cooking for at least an hour till things cool down

 

[34Hatt]

First the OP question: we are also in S FL and and anchor out every few weeks. We had a good routine of running GenSet twice a day for morning and evening meals, AC cool down if needed and battery charging, etc., then running off inverter remainder of day and night. Then summer came. Had to get used to running GenSet all-night and all-day, but now it is normal and oh - so much more comfortable. Only problem is fwd SR queen berth sits right on top of the 21 Kw GenSet. We can barely hear it in MSR but not great for guests. Kind of wishing for a smaller, quieter back up GenSet, also for running AC at night. We still shut the GenSet off whenever we take the tender out, would be curious to know if others ever leave it on? Pros and cons I’m sure. I don’t have auto shut off feature.

So 34Hatt, you installed a 5Kw GenSet in the V-berth area? Would you mind sharing any details? I have an inverter but no nowhere near the capacity needed for running the AC. thanks...

Pascal is correct.

5k as in 5k btu it fits in the closet and does just that room I posted this because the original poster has the same boat so it very retaliative.


I keep the gen in the bildge dont think the wife would be happy if I put it on her bunk

 

[madhatter1]

Well, we did it. Typing on the boat now as I drink coffee and my wife is making awesome omelettes. Zero issues. Zero PPM on each of the four CO detectors I put throughout the boat.
Even have learned how to get the dink pulled into the platform in a current. Now have a great fender setup to fend the dink off the platform. This opens up a whole new world to us.

Only time I shut it down was to clean the strainer basket. Lots of grass flowing in the current. Google Bunces Pass Fort Desoto for an aerial picture. Dogs are so tired from the beach they are just laying around.

Very good time. Thanks all for info on this being safe to do.

 

[Pascal]

There is nothing like being on the hook. Nobody around or at least close by, nobody walking by your boat, better breeze and better views

Personally I always retrieve the tender at night, I sleep much better that way. Not just theft or line failure (always have TWO lines) but also if I need to move ina hurry (squall or someone dragging towards us) I want to be able to move quickly

Glad you discovered the pleasures of overnight anchoring

 

[Capt Paul]

My generator has underwater exhaust and I can’t ever really hear that it is running even when swimming behind the boat at anchor.

 

[Nonchalant1]

Thank you all. Going to go to some nearby places this weekend and try to get comfortable with it. I have a camper with a gas gen that even though sealed up good when the wind blows the right direction the CO alarm goes of. Did this when camper was new. That was the end of that.


When we had a fuel leak on our trip in June the only way to smell it was through the air vents in the gunnels. Never get a whiff from interior ER hatch. Will pick up the CO detectors, test (for shits and giggles) in the garage behind the wife's car, and them put them on the boat.

FYI - CO sensors can be fooled by battery charging if they are close to the battery area.