Winter moored on a buoy - no shore power

[Kenneth K]

My E32-3 is going to spend the winter in Gig Harbor, WA on a mooring buoy with no shore power.

The good:

- The location is close by so I can check on it often
- I'm saving on slip fees so I can spend a little more on other items (I'm thinking--Honda generator)
- I don't have severe cold temps to deal with​

The bad: I won't have continuous AC power to run fans & heaters so I'm worried about condensation and mildew in the cabin.

Other than placing 5-6 Dri-Z-Air containers all around the interior, running a generator once a week for 7-8 hours (with heaters and fans), and opening every compartment with a hinge on it, what have experienced owners done to combat moisture when on a mooring buoy long-term????

Thanks,

Ken

 

[Glyn Judson]

Honda generator.

Ken, You're in God's country, I have a sailing friend who lives there too. I can't help with moisture abatement suggestions but can speak highly when it comes to the Honda EU2000i. We too find ourselves in the same situation each summer when on a mooring at Catalina Island, at times up to a month. That generator has changed our cruising experience for the better, immeasurably. In the case of our set up, it's permanent when over there, then stowed below back at home in Marina del Rey. The following might or might not apply to your plan but we also have a 3.5 gallon fuel tank that attaches to the generator tank fill. We run the generator for maybe three to four hours per day, sometimes less in order to keep the refrigeration batteries up to snuff and that reserve tank allows us only refill at the fuel dock, maybe every four to six days. It sure beats schlepping a smaller tank back and forth each day. I'm attaching a photo of our setup on the bow. With it there, all we hear in or outside the boat is a gentle, low hum. In addition, all the exhaust fumes easily dissipate away from us. Sorry not to be of more help on the moisture front. Cheers, Glyn Judson, E31 hull #55, Marina del Rey CA

 

[Glyn Judson]

Whoops, no photo.

Ken, Here we go. Glyn

 

[Kenneth K]

Glyn,

Yep, that's the generator on my list. From the reviews I've read, it's the only way to go. Quiet, reliable, and I've heard it will run nearly 8 hours on it's own tank. That would be a huge side benefit to buying one for my mooring situation--I'd have it for cruising, too.

I just spent Thursday night at a marina in Tacoma and all the slips with power were taken. Sure would've been nice to have heat in the morning......