www.iFourWinns.com

As has already been said, if you run that thing in your bilge you and your family will likely die. Period. End of story. Literally. CO will not be properly vented and it will leach into the cabin area. That would be one of the absolute worst things you could possibly ever do.

As for running it out in open and fresh air . . . well, with everything there are risks/benefits. I won't weigh in on those here. But as noted with the above proposal, there is no weighing to be done. Its a dead bang loser of a choice.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

Thanks for all of your inputs ,I really appreciate your advice and rest assured I wont be putting a gen in my bilge compartment thats for sure! My intention for a gen is just to use it when overnighting on the odd occasion ,probably only run it for 1 to 2 hours per time ,at the most,so for the expense side of the coin for my needs I think as long as I take the correct measures and add caution at all times ,a portable honda 2000 gen will work fine for me,it seems there are other members here who have been using a gen on the swim platform for some time now without any issues,I think as long as the water is flat and its not left running unattended or over night(obviously) and its strapped down securely it should be just fine.I also really like the idea of the extra shorepower plug fitted to the transom ,would certainly be safer and better than having power cords running around the place to trip over! thanks guys

hey craig
if you are worried about your anchor coming loose, get a drift alarm. most gps units have them. you can set it to go off for how many feet you want, say 150 feet.

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sundowner 235

I never slept on our first two boats for the same reason. We got current boat used, I have a different mind set, not going to stress about scratches from use, or loose sleep.... and I have not. This has been the best boat owning experience, and I get some great sleep while anchored in a secluded cove.
If the anchor should ever break loose, what is the worst that could happen, drift to shore...
Years back I woke up to a banging noise, someone had a little too much to drink the night before, and forgot to tie up there Ranger bass boat. It drifted some 5 miles down to where we were camped and was banging on the sandstone. It really didn't look banged up at all. I pulled it up onto a sandy spot on the beach. Couple hours later the owner showed up and said they were camped 5 miles away.

My point is, is your asleep inside, once banging on the rocks you will wake up and fix the issue. If you sleep through it, the next day you can enjoy a little adventure trying to find your original camp spot.

Large, jagged rocks make up my shore line. With the wind gusts we've been having here in Texas (20 - 40 mph), I guess I'm less afraid of getting scratches when running aground and more afraid of gaping holes or a completely mangled outdrive.

As another poster mentioned, in addition to heavier hardware (anchor and chain) when I have the windlass installed, I had planned on getting a fish finder / gps combo that has a drift alarm. I think that will make a HUGE difference in my ability to sleep.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Craig - I have a Box Anchor as my stern anchor...get one and I promise, you will not worry again.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I seriously contemplated a stern anchor, but at this point I have been advised not to unless you're tucked way back in a cove, where nobody can get behind you or cause rough water beside you. The reasoning I was given, was 1) swamping of the deck if someone gets behind and "rubber banding" and 2) the boat will not roll with waves coming from the side causing a potentially dangerous situation for the folks on-board.

Granted, this might be over cautious advice. However, what I was told that goes along with what you are mentioning is to anchor as usual 7 to 1. Once in place, put a box anchor "under foot". In other words, drop the box anchor straight down from the bow.

Supposedly, this still allows the boat to roll with waves but limits the swinging and provides backup for the main anchor.

I got my info from a retired Navy Captain that I work with. He professes to be all knowing on this kind of stuff. What is your opinion of this approach (anchor under foot)?

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

We have always used a stern anchor whenever we set the hook. Overnight or just for the day. We never have let the boat swing. Not good with other boats around to take up that much space IMO. Been doing this for 17 years, never felt any danger and slept like a baby.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I would stay way from a sten anchor GENERALLY, maybe in a cove.

You are from TX so I am thinking that you are boating in salt water, yes. With the right setup, on most days one anchor is all that is needed. Case in point, I have a Fortress type anchor, a FX-11, the next size up for what my boat calls for which is a 26 foot boat. I have 30’ of chain & 250’ of line. Two weeks ago I was in 43’ of water with 3’ waves, I let out 225’ of rode. We were there for about 2 hours and we had no problems.
But, if I needed a 2nd anchor, I would use 2 at the bow spaced apart. See this link http://www.fortressanchors.com/2nd_anchor.html

No, he is on a freshwater land locked lake.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Sorry about the thread hijack, but I feel like the genny in the bilge has been taken care of...

Craig - I would tend to agree with the old Navy captain, except one thing....we are on small inland lakes that generally speaking dont have the water/wave action he would be used to working with. He is also used to working with MUCH LARGER vessels, not express cruisers of this size and weight.

I use my stern anchor all the time on Lewisville. Typically, we are anchored in a cove but its a busy cove. I never like my boat to swing around. It can get in the way of other boats and it also has your swimmers constantly trying to keep up with the boat. I drop my box anchor straigh off the stern or toss it out 5-7 feet so it will drag itself into holding. It does an excellent job.

A few weeks ago, I rafted up with some friends. They had a Chaparral 350 (windlass out), a 27ft Cobalt (no anchor) on the Port side and another 27ft Chaparral (no anchor) also on the Port side. Thats 3 sizeable boats being held in place with ONE windlass anchor. When we rafted up on the Starboard side of the Chaparral 350, I did not let out my windlass out as its difficult to properly set a windlass in this cove AND raft up at the same time....just too much to take into account with possibly crossing anchor lines, cutting etc. So, when I rafted up, of course, these boats were all swinging a 8-10 feet back and forth with the wind. I dropped my box anchor...problem solved. Even then, another 20ft boat rafted up on my Starboard side with no anchor...still no issues.

One thing about Four Winns cruisers is that our swim platforms are fairly high out of the water. The likelyhood of it becoming swamped in OUR boating conditions is almost impossible.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Thanks for the information. One more question: Do you tie the anchor off to one of the cleats or the center "thingy" (round rope catch ... I don't know what it's called) that is mounted to the back of the swim platform? If a cleat, which one? Do you have issues with the rope impacting the outdrive?

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

True dat. Sandy bottom and CRAZY wind gusts.

Lake Grapevine. North Texas, about 5 minutes from DFW airport.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

I generally tie it to a stern cleat. I dont have any trouble with the outdrive touching the rope. Before I start the engines, I pull that anchor up to be sure I wont have any issues. Its usually STRAIGHT under the boat to its gripping nature and weight.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4