On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:04:01 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"jeff" wrote in message
...

Eisboch wrote:
...
I've searched around looking for information on the safety issues of
carrying a small, portable, gasoline generator on board for making
morning coffee or whatever. I have a little Honda EU-2000 Inverter type
generator that is small, light, quiet and completely self-contained. For
my needs, I could fuel it on the dock, and it would have enough gas to
serve the minimal morning coffee making needs for a week or more. No
need to carry any more gas containers.
...

Most everything has been said, but I can't resist putting in my two bits.
First, There is really no problem with the Honda as long as its stashed in
a place where any fuel leak will go overboard, instead of the bilge. I
carry one in a cockpit locker that drains out the stern, and the spare gas
stays in the dinghy hanging on davits. When its run, usually as a backup
charging system, the exhaust is pointed out the stern.

However, I must say that I find its too noisy to use in a crowded
anchorage, especially if there is a boat directly behind. And running it
first thing in the morning just to make coffee is decidedly anti-social.

As for making coffee, a home style electric brewer is not needed, you can
much better coffee with manual methods. Many prefer a French Press, but
my favorite is a simple manual drip through a paper filter into a Thermos.
I have a slight preference for a "gold filter" at home, but paper filters
are much easier to clean on a boat. There are several other methods, but
they are all just variations on the same theme: mix near boiling water
with good coffee, that's all it takes.

This of course leaves the question of how to produce boiling water - I'm
assuming the you don't have a non-electric stove on board. (But then, how
do you stay out more than a day? Do you intend to run a portable genset
for every meal???) You could always get a small propane camp stove; the
risks associated are probably less than carrying gasoline. There are some
BBQ's (like the new Magma) that can easily heat a pot of water. Also, a
microwave can boil a quart of water reasonably quick. Probably the best
electric heater is a Bodum Ibis (or Mini Ibis), which can boil 1.7 liters
in 4 minutes. Its total load for a Thermos of coffee would be about 10
Amp-hours, though of course a fair sized inverter is needed. Far most
civilized than firing up a generator!


I guess my question was poorly specified.
The boat in question has a propane system and stove, so there are other ways
to
quietly heat water.

My question was related to simply the safety issues involved in carrying and
occasionally operating a Honda EU-2000i
portable generator in the cockpit area of a boat. I used "making coffee or
whatever" as an example of it's purpose since the boat I was contemplating
does not have a permanent genset or inverter.

I didn't realize my safety related question was so controversial. I am not
exactly new to boating and am well aware of the courtesies that should be
extended and shared.

Eisboch


I suppose the question is "do you have an outboard motor?". Keeping a
generator aboard would present about the same safety aspects as the
outboard.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)