TWL: Generator etiquette
Do we need a huge banner that says BEWARE---WE MIGHT BE
RUNNING OUR GENERATOR LATER
You got a smiling emoticon at the end of this statement. I think that
you have actually a very good idea: to create a flag that indicates
"Generator on Board", similar idea as "Diver Below" or "Quarantine
in Effect" or "Pirates Present" (The Jimmy Buffet flag).
Let's have some ideas from the list.
I think you are preaching to the choir -- Heck - look at the
recent threads on the TWL -- many boats continue to "wake "us by not
slowing down -- don't know where or how to anchor in the first place and
therefore often crowd us --- even toss their litter overboard - complain
bitterly about speed limits or no wake zones - which they often ignore
anyway ---
-
these are the same sorts who run their gens ( often unmuffled ) almost
all the time ...We might as well have offer them a flag as a Discourteous
Boater -- doubt they would fly that either ....
I don't carry a gen but - really do not mind the sound of a properly
muffled gen ..on another boat some distance away ...
Ken
m/v Mrs Hudson
Hi all,
OK... we have read all of the posts regarding quiet and pristine anchorages
being fouled by the stench of spoiled-rotten-modern-man, cranking his
generator.
Our question is this.... since avoiding comfort wasn't one of the reasons we
went cruising, and we are not running away from electricity... what is the
proper etiquette for running generators at anchor? We have cold plate
refrigeration that requires running the generator for a few hours morning
and night, and of course we need to replenish our house bank.
If the weather is cool, we much prefer not to run the generator for extended
periods, but it's not always cool.....so, list, what is the proper
procedure? (All those who would say don't run it under any circumstances
need not reply.) Do we need a huge banner that says BEWARE---WE MIGHT BE
RUNNING OUR GENERATOR LATER---- or would a simple flag with a lightning bolt
do?? :-)
Seriously--there seem to be such strong feelings about this, and we don't
want to offend. By the same token, we have rights too.
As always, we appreciate your input.
Bob and Vicki Schuerger
"Blue Moon"
GB42-1009
presently at Solomons, awaiting TFest
We charge our cold plates during daylight hours, when people have
little expectation of quiet in a anchorage. After dark, however,
that's a different matter and we really cherish the natural quiet
around us.
Rick the Mouseherder - nh2f
Westsail 32 Xapic
Annapolis, MD
A small boat and a suitcase full of money
beat a 40-footer tied to the Bank every time.
Creative graphic solutions in vinyl for your boat lettering & designs
http://www.mouseherder.com
Visit the Xapic Homepage at:
http://www.abs.net/~nh2f
The Westsail Owners Assn. :
http://www.westsail.org
gb421009@earthlink.net writes:
Do we need a huge banner that says BEWARE---WE MIGHT BE
RUNNING OUR GENERATOR LATER---- or would a simple flag with a
lightning bolt
do?? :-)
You got a smiling emoticon at the end of this statement. I think that
you have actually a very good idea: to create a flag that indicates
"Generator on Board", similar idea as "Diver Below" or "Quarantine
in Effect" or "Pirates Present" (The Jimmy Buffet flag).
Let's have some ideas from the list.
We have a propane stove and propane/electric refrigerator however during
extended cruising we do use our deep freezer which has cold plates. We now
have a new inverter so while we are underway we charge up the freezer, make
the coffee, etc. When we are anchored for a day or so we go into "dry
camping" mode and make perc coffee, toast on top of the stove in order to
have breakfast and then at 8 or 9 AM run the gen for an hour. If no one is
in the anchorage we just run it at 6 or 7 AM. At 5 PM we run for another
hour (allowing the use of electric appliances fixing dinner and zapping the
deep freeze).
You may wonder "why have a deep freeze?" We cruise northern British
Columbia for 3 or 4 months at a time and the stores are really few and far
between with slim pickings once you get past Port McNeill so we are the boat
to tie next to (we have the ice cream, that extra loaf of bread, etc.). Our
generator is quiet and most people don't know it is running. I wouldn't
want to run at night or in the early morning when you can hear a pin drop.
We are 5 AMers but realize not everyone is an earlybird so it is worth a
little inconvenience to allow the late sleepers their peace. We head for
bed early so appreciate it when we don't have to listen to a generator until
11 PM because someone is watching TV with all the boat lights blazing.
Guess it boils down to just "do unto others etc etc." and showing a little
consideration for your neighboring boats.
Anne & Bob
Seabird
45' CHB pilothouse
Port Townsend, WA
I think what we need is an "ICE MAKER" flag. That might mitigate some of the
adverse comments about the genset.
Russ
Ken McQuage wrote:
Do we need a huge banner that says BEWARE---WE MIGHT BE
RUNNING OUR GENERATOR LATER
Russ and Donna Sherwin
MV "Four Seasons"
2000 Nordhavn 46, Hull #70
Sunnyvale, Ca 94086