Where do use/store your generator?

[Three Gypsies]

After living aboard our 26X for most of 2013 & 2014
I have to ask , again , why do you need air conditioning and all the problems that come with it ?????

We have cruised most of the Gulf of Mexico . We sleep with the bow hatch open and on the rare nights there is no breeze coming down , we have two 12vdc fans mounted above the expanded bow berth .

We have 200 watts of solar cells charging two deep cycle batteries . This has provided us with all the energy we need . Enough energy to run an Engle freezer all the time .

People wake up ! Trying to run a generator and AC aboard a small boat is more trouble than its worth . Not to mention annoying to your anchor neighbors .

If you are such a house plant as to HAVE to have AC , then perhaps you need to seriously reexamine your choice in buying a boat and leaving the couch .

[DaveB]

We have 3 fans below deck and that's what we use. On a trip that we will be in a Marina we have the 5000 btu AC in companionway hatch for shore power.
We have a small generator but just didn't make since on the boat but see many power boats 24-26 ft. length using the Honda 2000 on rear of boat on the hook.
The 2000 will run all night and keep cabin very comfey during 80-82 degree night temps in SW florida.
We just do day trips in the summer with mast off. To old for that younger stuff.
8 months of the year, fans work great.
Dave

After living aboard our 26X for most of 2013 & 2014
I have to ask , again , why do you need air conditioning and all the problems that come with it ?????

We have cruised most of the Gulf of Mexico . We sleep with the bow hatch open and on the rare nights there is no breeze coming down , we have two 12vdc fans mounted above the expanded bow berth .

We have 200 watts of solar cells charging two deep cycle batteries . This has provided us with all the energy we need . Enough energy to run an Engle freezer all the time .

People wake up ! Trying to run a generator and AC aboard a small boat is more trouble than its worth . Not to mention annoying to your anchor neighbors .

If you are such a house plant as to HAVE to have AC , then perhaps you need to seriously reexamine your choice in buying a boat and leaving the couch .

[Three Gypsies]

We have 3 fans below deck and that's what we use. On a trip that we will be in a Marina we have the 5000 btu AC in companionway hatch for shore power.
We have a small generator but just didn't make since on the boat but see many power boats 24-26 ft. length using the Honda 2000 on rear of boat on the hook.
The 2000 will run all night and keep cabin very comfey during 80-82 degree night temps in SW florida.
We just do day trips in the summer with mast off. To old for that younger stuff.
8 months of the year, fans work great.
Dave

After living aboard our 26X for most of 2013 & 2014
I have to ask , again , why do you need air conditioning and all the problems that come with it ?????

We have cruised most of the Gulf of Mexico . We sleep with the bow hatch open and on the rare nights there is no breeze coming down , we have two 12vdc fans mounted above the expanded bow berth .

We have 200 watts of solar cells charging two deep cycle batteries . This has provided us with all the energy we need . Enough energy to run an Engle freezer all the time .

People wake up ! Trying to run a generator and AC aboard a small boat is more trouble than its worth . Not to mention annoying to your anchor neighbors .

If you are such a house plant as to HAVE to have AC , then perhaps you need to seriously reexamine your choice in buying a boat and leaving the couch .

I am 62 years old , hardly a spring chicken . The body is an amazing piece of work . It adapts to its environment quickly . I can see AC when tied to a dock , but not at anchor . The boat turns into the breeze and the hatch directs the breeze below .

Another drawback to AC is that it imprisons you in the small cabin . The cabin is designed for sleeping in , not living in . I see this so often in campgrounds and anchorages the RV or boat sitting there while all the occupants huddle inside , scared they might pop a sweat bead , perhaps actually smell like a human .

[RobertB]

I am installing an AC unit for at dock on shore power for sleeping when the two of us are out for the week. Not only for the cool air but also the sound to try to cover my snoring

[Russ]

I am installing an AC unit for at dock on shore power for sleeping when the two of us are out for the week. Not only for the cool air but also the sound to try to cover my snoring

Why are marinas so void of breeze? I can understand some climates where you can't sleep it's so hot and sticky. This is another reason we have never stayed overnight tied to a dock.
For many of us who work indoors, we don't have time to acclimate to warm temps. Gone are opening windows in office buildings.

Fans make great white noise. The admiral requires a fan for the white noise. Now I can't sleep in silence. There is a white noise app I've used when traveling.

[fouz]

I work construction and sweat all week were even my pants legs are soaking wet. In my off time sweating isn't my kind of fun.

We haven't used the a/c on a overnighter yet and may find it not needed but in July and August in Alabama it is not enjoyable to over night on the boat. Yes its possible but not enjoyable to sleep. And if your sleep suffers, the next day is a bummer.

We are going to try it and if you find we don't need it I can always use the genny around the house or for hurricane season if need be. So no big deal.

[mastreb]

West coast, I agree there's no reason for A/C. Just leave the hatches open. But on the east coast the issue isn't the heat, it's that if you leave hatches open you get bugs. It was murder for those of us unused to it when we took the boat back east, and covering everything with screens cut off the airflow to nothing.

[Three Gypsies]

West coast, I agree there's no reason for A/C. Just leave the hatches open. But on the east coast the issue isn't the heat, it's that if you leave hatches open you get bugs. It was murder for those of us unused to it when we took the boat back east, and covering everything with screens cut off the airflow to nothing.

We bought nets that are lead weighted and designed to fit a Mac and other boats . They fit over the bow hatch and companionway , sealing it up . The only time we used them was during our travels thru the Everglades , but they work great .

Mosquitos love me , but I have noticed they are the worst around sunset , so I spray on repellant . At night we have an oil lamp with Citronelle oil in it , that we usually burn all night . The two fans above the bed also help keep the bugs away .

The admiral and I have lived all our lives in Alabama , so we know heat and humidity . We lived most of 2012 and 2013 onboard our 26X WITHOUT AC , even in the marinas . We didn't suffer , and the afternoon swim and bath was that much better because of the heat .

It just seems to be you ruin the adventure by imprisoning yourself in a little 8x20' cabin , rather than being out in what you came to see .

[Catigale]

In a slip, the boat doesn't naturally position itself into the wind, so you don't get air flow even if the wind is blowing.

On anchor, you nicely point into the bee3 +- Mac dance, and we get good airflow.

The Cape is a lovely 75 or so on the water so it's real nice without AC, I usually swim to shore to go for supplies ad then get one of the sailing clu members to drop me back at my boat.

[Three Gypsies]

In a slip, the boat doesn't naturally position itself into the wind, so you don't get air flow even if the wind is blowing.

On anchor, you nicely point into the bee3 +- Mac dance, and we get good airflow.

The Cape is a lovely 75 or so on the water so it's real nice without AC, I usually swim to shore to go for supplies ad then get one of the sailing clu members to drop me back at my boat.

That's What I'm Talking about !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Al Garrett]

Hello Three Gypsies:

Please excuse my butting in on an interesting topic but I've been trying to reach you to get a photo of your hard top. My 26X is also a trawler. Can you provide a link to any photos already posted? I was unsuccessful using the search feature.

Thanks and please continue the conversation about onboard generator use. I plan to build a secure spot under the driver's seat for my Honda EU2000. This is my third one and I love them. My first was a fuel saving alternative to using my air cooled Onan 4000 on long trips, used a franction of the fuel for light electrical loads.

Al

[Three Gypsies]

Hello Three Gypsies:

Please excuse my butting in on an interesting topic but I've been trying to reach you to get a photo of your hard top. My 26X is also a trawler. Can you provide a link to any photos already posted? I was unsuccessful using the search feature.

Thanks and please continue the conversation about onboard generator use. I plan to build a secure spot under the driver's seat for my Honda EU2000. This is my third one and I love them. My first was a fuel saving alternative to using my air cooled Onan 4000 on long trips, used a franction of the fuel for light electrical loads.

Al

If you will send me a message with your e-mail address , I'll be happy to dend some pictures of the hardtop . The forward portion is still under construction , but it will show what it will look like .