www.iFourWinns.com

That's what I hear most folks doing with them. Stowing it below is something to be careful about though, due to the fuel in it. You'd want to take steps to make sure there aren't any fumes building up from it when you leave the boat for a while. Normal marine gear is supposed to be setup to avoid letting that happen. Consumer camping stuff generally doesn't take any extra steps to prevent this. If you ran it empty first you'd go a long way to avoiding the risk entirely.

Oh and unless you're strumming it like a guitar, it's an electrical 'cord'.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

For us pre '07 248 owners it is a ROYAL PITA to get the hatch opened and out of the way. I only take it off when I absolutely have to.

It is a darn shame b/c there is plenty of space to keep it there!

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Yeah ... you beat me to that one. Same on our 268V ..... lots of space, but .... Ok, everyone off the boat while I dissassemble half the cockpit ........

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

I originally thought of just letting it sit on the platform like many do but last Saturday while out at a local sandbar some a$$ running his 40+ footer at an unsafe distance and speed created a wake that had water all over the swim platform and had I had the genny there it would have given it a nice saltwater bath (NOT GOOD).

The ideas I have seen or thought of

The swim platform (worried about it getting wet)
The bow (admiral has claimed this real estate for her sun pad and exhaust blows back to the helm)
Elevated piece of marine board fastened on the swim platform
I have also heard of people putting them inside a cooler for transport

Anyone have any other ideas they would like to share?

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

I do try and run it dry, but thats a great point!!!

What would be nice is, if we could convert one of those side mounted coolers. ie where we have storage, and replace the cooler with the genny!

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Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

That is actually a good idea but WHAT ABOUT THE BEER????

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

1999 258, with maybe 75-80 hours on it.

I dont have any pics of the bilge, but will try to remember

In the bilge U placed 2 strappes with the horse shoe like clamps that screw to the floor, then a 3rd in the opposite direction to hold it down.

As for the bow, at the first stantion, I use a ratchet strap to co around, then thru the handle, then back again. Note: i will not due this if it is rough out!!!! I also never have it running unless we are using it, and NEVER at night when sleeping!!!

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Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

Oh trust me the beer WILL be there!!!!

I use a cube cooler and place it by the helm when not running or right behind the helm when running.

Seldom do we have anyone more than just myself, my wife, and the dog. We stay overnight on the hook almost every weekend. And I enjoy me beer, thus another reason for having all of the essentials!!!! We just purchased an 8.5' Inflatable with a 3.5 Johnson...the motor fits great under the back seat. The boat fits perfect on my transon eye's (no weaver davits).

After I got married My little go fast boat just was not quite cutting it for the weekend boater!!!!!!

I ended up with a 238, owned it for a year, then came across this 258.....and couldnt pass it up.

Here are the current boat and the previous 2! You can see My sunsation was a bit cramped for weekending, but it was a blast to drive!!!!

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Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

That IS a Great Idea! I like it! We can always put the cooler with the beer on the swim platform, or better yet, keep the beer at the helm so I don't have to walk to far to get a "Cold One"!

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'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"

Bill,

Did you make a little faux pa? Wouldn't it be safer to store the Honda in the bilge with a 100% full tank of fuel (less fumes). A tank is never "empty" it's either full of liquid or it's full of vapor, the vapor is what kills ya! The nice thing about the EU2000i is that it has a vent seal on the cap, when you turn the handle on the cap to "Off" it does not vent.

With that being said.... I won't be putting my 2000 in the bilge any time soon!

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Brett DiMichele

Would love to see pics of the inflatable

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

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Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

Very nice Ken!!!

I can see from you pic that the seating on your 258 is very different than my 248 I guess it must not be a PITA to get your genny in and out of the bilge.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

No 'faux pas' here. I'd rather have no chance of more fumes developing than the small amount that might be present from a known-empty empty tank. I have no desire to trust that a plastic cap has been turned properly. Better to know there's no fuel in it at all. But this isn't to say it's a good idea either way, keeping it out of an enclosed space is certainly a better plan all around. I sympathize with the notion of having a low-cost option for AC power, just not enough to put life, limb and property at risk.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I know of some that strap it to the bow rail not only for use, but for travel as well. IMHO this would work great for mounting little generator up on bow when camped, but not while underway. If you ever wanted to run the unit while underway, the swim deck is your best choice as the Honda EU has a float switch in the oil res. and must be place on a fairly level surface to run.
Like you ken, I have a short cord that is just long enough to reach the EU with no extra, but I really prefer to run on the beach so all noise and vibration is not on the boat.

These Honda EU's are awesome!!!

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
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