My Post 42 (Kinda Long...Sorry)

In my 42 I kept the shorepower system the same - (2) 30-amp 110VAC circuits. I debated about changing over to a single 50-amp 220VAC system but I didn't want to lug a heavy 50-amp shorepower cord nor did I want to buy and fit in a Cablemaster system.

(2) 30-amp 110VAC calculates out to 7.5KW so that's the minimum genset size. Westerbeke had "boat show pricing" in effect after the Miami Boat Show and I ordered my 8KW unit then. The biggest size I would want in my system would be 9KW. Any bigger and I wouldn't be able to load it up enough. I've worked on enough 42 to 43 foot boats to notice the builders are usually putting in an 8 or 9KW genset so that gave me further peace of mind on the correct size.

At 46 feet you might need to calculate your loads and see what you get. A 10 - 12KW in a 46 may be appropriate. I've worked on a 47 Buddy Davis that has a 12KW Westerbeke (over 4000 hours and going strong) so it seems a good match there. A lot more A/C units, washer & dryer, etc. too.

It's not a one-size-fits-all proposition.....

You can always discuss your application with the genset manufacturers or distributors and get their advice.

ruby, at 46 feet you could benefit from a bigger genset than 8KW, especially if you have a 220VAC system. If you have 220VAC you can use that to power your heavy load items - stove/oven, hot water heater, AC compressors, washer & dryer, etc. That will really reduce your amperage vs. 110VAC power. That fact was the biggest draw I had when re-wiring my 42. 220VAC would have made power distribution easier. But man those 50-amp shore power cords are heavy!

I didn't realize the 46 had only an 8KW genset - you 46 owners generally have 220VAC systems or the same double 30-amp 110VAC like the 42?

OK - here's some photos of updates since last posting any pictures.

Last haulout back in the spring of this year (2012) I finally installed a new genset and also replaced the old wood rubrail with the one shown.















I have most of the renovations completed on the head.





I removed all the doors and installed new hardware. I never did like the handles in the middle of the doors so I removed them and cut ventilation openings in each door and covered it with the SS vent shown. New hinges, new knobs and new handles on the drawers throughout the boat. (There are a LOT of drawers and doors.....)





Installed two new Pompanette helm chairs on Pompanette 27 inch pedistals. Companion seat required some glass work to build up a level surface due to the camber of the deck. It's never as easy as it looks......



And so it goes. Still a long list of to-dos and maintenance is a never ending thing as any boat owner knows.

Island Runner

Sorry the links to Photobucket don't work. I'll try to upload the images directly.

Here's a few more....

And finally the last from the earlier post.

rc, I intend to have a railing up there on the flybridge but have held off because what I really would like to do is replace the old Pipewelders tower with a new hardtop. Then the railing would part of the new hardtop pipework. I got a quote on a railing a few years back for something 2 grand +/- and I don't want to invest that much money if I just end up scrapping the whole thing. On the other hand a new hardtop will be pretty big $$ so until I resolve that in my mind I am just very careful up there.

IR

I find the spray rails to be a pain in the #%*! I've never run an old 42 except mine and it has them so, yes, I believe them to be helpful. But given the right conditions you can still get a face full of seawater!

The pain relates to the fact that these spray rails are actually teak and my copper colored boottop covers a large portion of the rails. The dark copper color expands and contracts in the Florida sunshine, the paint cracks, water intrudes and every haulout includes wood repair and touch up the paint.

I am getting tired of this aspect of the spray rails.

IR

Thanks Beau. To be honest .... I'm getting tired. I've been at it off and on for 7 and a half years. This has been a cash proposition from day one so when I have the money the major stuff gets done and when the bank account gets low things wait. I am proud of what I've done but there is still so much more I think needs to be done and I just don't know if I'm going to make it. Maybe it's time for the next guy to step in and take it from here.

I'm tired.

IR