Boating Basics - First Generator Startup For The Season - Westerbeke, Sea Ray Boat

This is the procedure I use for the first startup of our on-board generator for the season, including checking for load, voltage, amperage draw and more. The unit is a Westerbeke 7.2 Kw BCGTC @ 60 Hz, gasoline powered & carburated. This model runs at a continuous 3,600 RPM engine speed, so that is why it appears to be running so fast - because it is ;-)
Be sure to check out the rest of our 'Summer Cruise 2022' series, as we cruised for 5-1/2 weeks through much of Ontario, Canada's lovely 240 mile/386 km Trent Severn Waterway and even reaching the Rideau Canal for a few days! Full playlist can be found here; • Summer 2022 Cruise
Many more 'Boating Basics - Helpful Hints & Tips' in my playlist, here: • Boating Basics - Helpf...
For even more technical stuff, I also have a 'How I Did It' mechanical repairs and upgrades series from the projects I've done on our boats. Check that Playlist out here: • Boating Basics - Stick...
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Filmed May, 2023.
Boat Specs;
- Model: 1998 Sea Ray 370 Sundancer
- Length (bow to transom): 37-6", LOA (with factory swim platform): 40'-1"
- Beam: 12'-7"
- Engines: 2 x 7.4 litre (454 Cubic Inch) Mercruiser Bluewater, Multi-Port fuel injection, gasoline,
raw water cooled, rated at 310 HP
- Transmissions: 2 x Borg Warner Velvet Drives, in Vee-Drive configuration
- Performance: Average cruising speed 22MPH on plane @ 3,200 RPM
- Dry Weight: 17,000 lbs
- Fully Loaded Weight: Boat + Fuel (1,664) + Water (580) + Gear (1,250 +/-) = 20,500 LBS
- Fuel Capacity: 275 U.S. gallons ~ 1,040 litres * Usable Capacity 261 US Gallons ~ 989 litres
- Freshwater Holding Tank Capacity: 70 US Gallons ~ 58.3 Imperial Gallons ~ 265 litres
- Poop Holding Tank Capacity: 40 US Gallons ~ 33.3 Imperial Gallons ~ 151 litres
- Draft: 32”
- Dead Rise: 20 degrees
- Generator: Westerbeke 7.2 Kw BCGTC @ 60 Hz, gasoline powered & carburated, 3,600 RPM continuous engine speed
- Dual reverse cycle heating/air conditioning units, 19,000 (total) BTU (12 + 7)

[@kevinmccarey5015]

Hello Paul, Beautiful engine room, and great check ups. Little tiny is really cool. Be well

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Thanks Kevin 🙂

[@SeaRay380DA]

It's always nice when things start right up after winterized. Our engine compartments are very similar, I have the 380 with diesels, you definitely have more room than I do. Love seeing dry bilges as well. You got me thinking about bringing my cat onto the boat.

[@SeaRay380DA]

Remember to put something in your microwave when you run it, even if it's just a cup of water.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

We are so happy to have the companionship of my Little Tiny and couldn't imagine not having him with us. Makes our boating days that much more special.

[@cheapme1850]

Every time I see the MPI on those engines I get an itch, but I quickly scratch it once I check the new and used boat listings. Hate being stuck with a carb but it’s paid for so I’ll be cranking that throttle the obligatory nine times for the foreseeable future.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Yes, the used boat market prices remain high, but I'm guessing that'll start to settle down as interest rates continue to climb.

[@SeaRay380DA]

@@cheapme1850 I rent from carbureted 7.4s in my 330 Sea Ray to MPI in the 3780 Regal. MPIs were super easy to start, just bump the switches, other than that I didn't notice a significant difference. Now these Caterpillars, that's a whole different story.

[@ampegor]

Spent the weekend getting our boat ready and one of the jobs was the generator. My procedure was similar to yours. happy boating.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Nice. But I'm gonna guess that your procedure didn't include a furry little helper 😄 My Saturday was mostly spent fixing + drying up a flooded shower sump/bilge 😩 Yes, there'll be a video. . .

[@ampegor]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Our furry not so small helper will be coming on the boat this summer.

[@SOLDTONORM]

You could carpet that engine room...nice!!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Wait 'till I'm done with it - it'll be perfect. Or very close anyways 😜

[@brettgerber795]

I just gave our rudder packing nuts a twist on our 1986 38’ Chris Craft and it stopped our leak. I was hanging upside down to get to ours. I think I’m going to have the Marina replace the packing glands if it doesn’t keep working.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

I'll be trying the same thing on Boogaboo when I have a chance. I had the marina change the packing on our last boat, as it was during the c***d days and the work needed to be done before launch that year. Worked like a charm and no more leaks.

[@eternitysshore]

Your engine bilge is always so clean and I am a bit envious. Actually, more than a bit...

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

I prefer 'inspired'🙂 We were very fortunate to have had this boat find us and I'm so happy that it was more of a survivor than something that had been violated. Although not the most pristine when we took possession, the diamond in the rough is coming out, bit by bit. The engine room still has a way to go, but I'm planning on making her the nicest one out there. It's my obsession and I'm okay with that 😉

[@eternitysshore]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo well that’s why you have so many subscribers. Outstanding and inspiring work! Cheers.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

That was the whole reason for me starting this thing; to motivate others to get out on the water, explore, adveturize, and see what a beautiful world is that we live in. And if that means scrubbing my engine room, well I guess that's just a bonus for all concerned 😉 BTW, when's your next video coming out? I'm gonna guess it'll have something to do with dock boxes 🤓

[@eternitysshore]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo yes. Should be out tomorrow afternoon. My new and only grandson is in town and so it might get a little delayed.

[@airman6822]

Great work Paul. Do you have any idea how much fuel that uses when your running normal stuff, air and fridge and so forth? How many kW?

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

I'd say it's pretty good on fuel use, although I've never calculated beyond having to put an extra $20-$30 of gas in the tank that it draws from (two main fuel tanks, starboard tank feeds the starboard main engine as well as the genny. Basically, we'd be running the A/C, charger and water heater from the generator. Rest is on the D/C side of power... All the specs for the boat + genny are in all my video descriptions.

[@AdventuresonTour]

What's the pre-heat switch for? No glow plugs on a gas engine 😉 And I'm so envious of that engine room

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

The preheat switch on the Westerbeke gas gennys is actually a by-pass used when first starting up. For instance, it will by-pass the low oil pressure warning/cutoff while pressure is being built up. Conversely, if there is an actual low pressure issue, the unit would not remain running if that switch weren't depressed. I find that on a cold start, I have to keep that switch depressed (it's a momentary switch) for roughly 5-10 seconds for the engine to keep running on its own. Same setup on our prior 4.5 kw unit (in the 330 Sundancer) as well as the big 9,600 Westerbeke on our 400 Sedan Bridge. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3-phnysZq2ab6s kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZK3ppSegMl_prc 🙂

[@AdventuresonTour]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo that makes total sense 👍