340 EC Generator Question

[Mrichardson]

Hello Everyone

I am shopping for a Sea Ray and yesterday I looked at an 89 340EC. This boat did not have a generator and I am wondering about the 'essential'ness of a generator. I talked to the owner and according to him he only got low on the batteries once after they had set up for a long weekend on the water. Even then it was not a major problem to get the engines restarted and things recharged.

Considering my potential usage, I am not sure how big a problem the lack of a generator will be. I will be on Lake Michigan and don't plan many (if any) extended days where we will be set up in one place without moving around. Even so, being aware of the lack of a generator, I feel that I would keep an eye on things and make sure that it is never a problem.

But my real question is whether this is going to be a huge hassle and pain in the neck? Will the lack of a generator drive me crazy or are there serious safety issues that I should consider?

I am a very cautious boater and don't foresee many crazy adventures especially on Lake Michigan. Mostly cruises along the shore and maybe a few overnighters to harbors close by.

Please let me know what you think
Michael Richardson

 

[rcknecht]

I did not have one in my 300DA and frankly it was a lot easier, and more room in the engine room... Just bring a jump pack for an emergency start if your battery dies...

 

[dpmulvey]

+1 on the jump pack. Unless you are going to be out for several days or need A/C I would not go for the expense. In VA in August, A/C is a must, therefore, Gennie is a must.

 

[rondds]

I'd be considering more the resale of the boat some day. In a boat that size, buyers expect a generator. My guess is there was a Quicksilver unit in the boat originally and it crapped out and was not replaced. I'd make the lack of genny a negotiating tool, try for a price adjustment (unless it's already a steal) and try to track down a refurb after you buy the boat. I rarely use my generator but I would pass over a boat without one if I were shopping.

 

[Redhook98]

I'd be considering more the resale of the boat some day. In a boat that size, buyers expect a generator. My guess is there was a Quicksilver unit in the boat originally and it crapped out and was not replaced. I'd make the lack of genny a negotiating tool, try for a price adjustment (unless it's already a steal) and try to track down a refurb after you buy the boat. I rarely use my generator but I would pass over a boat without one if I were shopping.

Dead on......:thumbsup:

 

[tobnpr]

Resale is a valid point. Not nearly as much of a potential deal-killer in Michigan as it would be here in FL, but there nonetheless.

Aside from that, a gen is only necessary for large AC loads like air conditioning and electric stoves, and perhaps hot water if you're not plumbed to your engine's cooling system. Smaller AC loads can be handled via an inverter and an appropriately sized house battery bank.

 

[NorCal Boater]

I own an '89 340 and I would not want the boat without the Gennie. Do I use it all the time? No....but it is sure nice to have when I need it.

 

[Mrichardson]

Thanks for the information everyone. I appreciate the comments, suggestions and ideas. A couple of comments from me (thinking out loud).

1. AC. To me I rarely want or use AC even in my house in the summer. I'm from Alabama originally and the summers here in Il are very mild to me. Only once last summer did I turn on the AC in my house and that was only for 4 hours. So, I am not really concerned too much about AC on the water. We did a ton of camping last summer and by definition there is no AC in a tent so I think that we would do fine. Plus if we get hot, we can always get in the lake which is bone chilling to me.

2. Resale. I really don't think about resale with anything that I buy. For me, things are usually mine for life. If I do get rid of something I am not obsessed with sticking someone for a screaming deal. I think that if I wanted to get rid of this boat, I would bargain to get it sold no matter what the cost. Honestly, I think that I would 'depreciate' the cost of the boat within a year or two because of the memories and fun with my son.

I hope that I don't sound like I am rationalizing too much. Like most of you, I expected a genny on the boat and was surprised. But in thinking about the workarounds, it's not that big a deal to me.

Now.. another question. If I do go for a refurb sometime in the future, how hard is it to install and hook up to the system?

Thanks everyone
Michael

BTW, I have the sale specifics if anyone is interested in helping me decide if it is a good deal or not.

 

[rondds]

I'm not sure about how hard it is to install, but if your boat did indeed have a generator at one point, the wiring is probably till there. Quick story about air condx. Growing up on boats in the 70s and 80s, my Dad never had a boat with air. So when I was shopping for my first cruiser and buying new, I poo poo'd the salesman telling me I had to have air on a 26 footer. Never needed it when I was a kid, so what's the big deal. In the end, I sprung for the extra $5k. After the first summer with that boat, I knew (as did the admiral) that it's a damn good thing we ordered the AC. Could never live without it!

 

[MarkD]

one more sentiment to add to Ron's... If you are married, or plan on it, the most important thing you can do is make your First Mate happy. Trust me, i know these things. If momma aint happy, you wont be either....

 

[my3sons]

IMHO,every post here is right on. Here's how I look at it.
You're interested because you've not had a gen before.
If you had one before, you wouldn't be.
Are they an absolute neccessity? no.
You are from up north here....ever own a four wheel drive pick-up or SUV?
If so, would you like to go back to two wheel drive?
If the boat's a great deal and in good shape, consider the purchase. If all is running well, next year you may want to install a genny, or you may never miss what you never had.
as an aside, MarkD is definitely right on about having a good life with a happy wife. We would have spent many nights tied to the dock instead of out cruising and hanging on the hook if the admiral couln't have had A/C to help her get through that scurge of night sweats and hot flashes, I'm just say'in:thumbsup:

 

[Miss Maddy G]

If you could do it, I would def go with the generator. I use it all time....anything from running the AC to plugging in the waffle maker or mic to heat up some meals.....not to mention, giving the batteries a bit of a trickle charge.

 

[capecodcruiser]

IMHO,every post here is right on. Here's how I look at it.
You're interested because you've not had a gen before.
If you had one before, you wouldn't be.
Are they an absolute neccessity? no.
You are from up north here....ever own a four wheel drive pick-up or SUV?
If so, would you like to go back to two wheel drive?
If the boat's a great deal and in good shape, consider the purchase. If all is running well, next year you may want to install a genny, or you may never miss what you never had.
as an aside, MarkD is definitely right on about having a good life with a happy wife. We would have spent many nights tied to the dock instead of out cruising and hanging on the hook if the admiral couln't have had A/C to help her get through that scurge of night sweats and hot flashes, I'm just say'in:thumbsup:

I don't want to open a can of worms, but your bring up a point I am wondering about since I am about to purchase a boat with a factory generator. Running the genny at night for AC??? Some say yay, others nay. Just go with a CO2 detector and let her run or ??? Hope I am not starting a firefight!

 

[rondds]

Hope I am not starting a firefight!

 

[skolbe]

If you are positive you will not use A/C and the boat is priced right and is in good condition. I think it would be fine. It may be harder to sell down the line. The issue I see when looking at boats from the north and no generator is that you lose the opportunity to sell nationwide. I would usually pass on used boats with no generator. Yes you can add one, but they are usually priced the same as other boats with a generator. But the main use of the generator on my boat is to run A/C and charge batteries. That being said if you don't run a generator enough - plan on having issues with the generator. My dock neighbor bought a freshwater 330 with a 12 year old Westerbeke with 40 hours on it. He had the whole thing rebuilt and still is having problems. My dad had a 1976 Carver when I was a kid. It had a generator and that was got him out of boating for 20 years after owning 9 boats.