I found this thread somewhat amusing, especially since it just illustrates the old adage "different strokes for different folks".
Here in the NW of the continent, air conditioning is not really needed except for MAYBE a few nights in the year. I do understand the desire (need) for air in the SE as I am sure sleeping would be difficult without it. My guess would be that most if not all boats down there (SE) would run their generators (and air) all night, so it shouldn't really be a problem. Most people should expect this and get used to it.
For me, I try hard to be as good a neighbour as I can in an anchorage (or even at a dock). I don't need air conditioning, we cook with propane, and heat (when needed) with diesel. The heater is the noisiest equipment, and we shut it off at bedtime anyway (and don't use it all that often). I don't run the generator before 8AM (usually 9) and don't run it during the happy hour/dinner time. I also don't run it after 9PM. This is even though my generator is very quiet, exhausting underwater. I am lucky enough that this meets my needs so I am not missing out by trying to be considerate. In this area (PNW), (in my humble opinion and as far as I can figure) most people (excluding the very large yachts) don't NEED to run their generators all night however, some chose to do so. This may in fact, be a bit inconsiderate (at least in some situations), but is usually not a big deal to me personally.
I agree with the clanging halyards being horrible, and this is just plain laziness. They can be tied off to reduce or eliminate the problem.
Like one poster mentioned, for me the worst annoyance was when a "super yacht" (200 footer) was docked across the wharf from me, and they ran their generator all day and night with it exhausting directly into my bedroom. I had to not only listen to it all night, but had no choice but to keep all windows and ports closed to keep out the horrible smell. Diesel exhaust is also known to be carcinagenic. I talked to the marina about this, but they said there was nothing that could be done as the yacht "needed" the power. I don't know about all of the needs of ships this size, but I suspected that they could have made some adjustments but that they just didn't care about the impact they were having on their neighbours.
ASD,
If I ever run across you up here, I would love to have that scotch you talked about. Just not a cigar smoker.
P.S.
I do not mean to be critical of anyone (except maybe the "super yacht"), just outlining my thinking on this and what I choose to do and am able to make work.