Generator install on 282 Sailfish

[gdavis]

I just purchased my first Grady White - a 2008 282 Sailfish. I love this boat and my family will enjoy this boat until we are ready to upgrade to a larger GW. Our boat has an a/c system and we were told this boat could hold a generator to power the a/c, tv, dvd for kids, etc when off shore power. We just got a quote back and they have to retrofit the boat to hold the generator (5kw Westerbeke). This would involve downsizing the fresh water tank, moving 2 of the 3 batteries and creating access for repair/maintance on the deck. This seems like way to much (and very expensive). Does anyone have any suggestions short of upgrading to a larger GW. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[megabytes]

Welcome to the board and congrats on your fine new boat. One of the driving forces behind the new 290 was to address some customer requests for the Sailfish. Guess what one of the most requested features was?

A genny is expensive as an option so I can only imagine a retrofit would be very pricey. Considering all the bad press I have read about the gas gensets, I would not recommend spending that kind of money on anything less then a FP diesel in the fiberglass protective capsule. This is what GW, BW, Pursuit, Scout, and just about all of the large outboard builders have gone to. I have no idea if it will fit in a 282 but it won't be cheap.

Another alternative I have read about here and other boards is a Honda portable. Some owners will probably weigh in with the details. Good luck!

PS: Post some pix of your new baby!

 

[BobP]

I didn't know a generator was ever an option on a 282(?)

Let's assume it isn't, then you can use the Honda portable above deck, until you upgrade to a Marlin or Chesapeake, or bigger, that does have a built in generator option.

 

[Capt Bill]

What Bob said. I really don't think there's room for a built-in gen on a Sailfish. You'll really need to move up to a 30 or 33 with a diesel gen.

 

[ocnslr]

Congrats on the new Sailfish.

We would never move from our Islander to a Sailfish, due to the lack of a generator. As noted above, the 290 Chesapeake was designed to address that shortcoming.

Best answer in the Honda EU2000. And we do have A/C on our Islander..

Brian

 

[gradyfish22]

I use a Honda EU2000i on my 265 and love it. Did an overnight at the canyon this season, ran my 5 LED spreader lights, Radar, GPS, and FF along with 2 VHF's, stereo, anchor light and went tthrough under 1/2 of a tank. It is fairly quiet, roughly weights about 75lbs and is easy to hook up. I place mine on the bow, it does have a little noise above the cabin, but honestly no more then a diesel gen would create. The unit costs about $1000, far less then a built in custom generaotr, and will not have issues with corrosion if kept covered underway and off the bow, and will not be a tight fit for servicing. Most guys with euro transoms place them back there and attach a strap or two to keep it from moving, the key is to keep the exhaust pointed away from you or to have a wall to divert it somewhere. It hooks up using your shore power chord and connection and a simple adpater from the generator to the shore power cable.

If you were to put in a fixed mounted generator you need water to cool it, meaning sea cocks, a way to get air both to and from the unit, a custom exhaust possibly, custom mounting configuration, just way too much work and $ to do it right and make it accessible.

I looked into making my starboard side helm bench seat into a box for a generator and then after pricing it out laughed and bought the honda and I never looked back and have 0 doubt I made the right decision. Also, the honda can be used at home or for camping as well, the fixed mount cannot, for the money it is not worth the custimization and big amount of money for the westerbeake put into the boat.

 

[dlevitt]

The portable generator probably makes the most sense. I too bought the Honda EU2000i generator. Unfortunately, I haven't used it yet on the boat, but it starts easily and is very quiet.

I bought mine from wisesales (on the web). It was less than $900 shipped when I bought it.

 

[Legend]

I have a portable Honda too and it fits right under the table in the V Birth - Not for running (obviously) but for storage. Works great and is very quiet

 

[ahill]

search honda 2000 generator in archives and you'll find everything you need to know.

 

[Kenlahr]

Grady22 nailed it. I can't imagine installing a custom generator in the 282. The EU2000 is the way to go.

 

[10driver]

I use a Honda EU2000i on my 265 and love it. Did an overnight at the canyon this season, ran my 5 LED spreader lights, Radar, GPS, and FF along with 2 VHF's, stereo, anchor light and went tthrough under 1/2 of a tank. It is fairly quiet, roughly weights about 75lbs and is easy to hook up. I place mine on the bow, it does have a little noise above the cabin, but honestly no more then a diesel gen would create. The unit costs about $1000, far less then a built in custom generaotr, and will not have issues with corrosion if kept covered underway and off the bow, and will not be a tight fit for servicing. Most guys with euro transoms place them back there and attach a strap or two to keep it from moving, the key is to keep the exhaust pointed away from you or to have a wall to divert it somewhere. It hooks up using your shore power chord and connection and a simple adpater from the generator to the shore power cable.

Don't mean to high jack thread but Gradyfish22 can you tell me more about running a honda 2000 generator into your shorepower and where I can get one of the adapters? For the upcoming overnight season, I was going to fabricate something to mount to my hardtop with flood lights on it and run them from the generator. But if your system works it will save me time and effort not having to reinvent the wheel.

Thanks

 

[ocnslr]

Don't mean to high jack thread but Gradyfish22 can you tell me more about running a honda 2000 generator into your shorepower and where I can get one of the adapters? For the upcoming overnight season, I was going to fabricate something to mount to my hardtop with flood lights on it and run them from the generator. But if your system works it will save me time and effort not having to reinvent the wheel. Thanks

I use a Marinco adapter. http://www.marinco.com/product/one-piece-adapter-30-amp-locking-15-amp-straight-blade

It connects at the shore power inlet box and then I use a heavy-duty extension cord from the EU2000 to the adapter.

Brian

 

[10driver]

thanks for the reply...found one on amazon for $40.00.

 

[Bill_N]

You can use the adapter and your shorepower cord. No reason to buy an extension cord.