Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-10-2015, 06:21 AM   #1
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
Generator Global co$t.

I have no dog in this fight ,(no need) but it would be interesting to see the range of total costs folks think their noisemaker operation is costing.

This would be fuel PM , repairs and of course rebuild/replacement when it finally dies.

My guess would be $5 to $10 per hour in all up costs.

Your view?
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 06:58 AM   #2
Moderator Emeritus
 
Bay Pelican's Avatar
 
City: Chicago, IL
Vessel Name: Bay Pelican
Vessel Model: Krogen 42
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,993
Easily $5 to $10 US per hour. Normal maintenance costs: $5 per hour fuel, 38 cents per hour oil and filter. Repairs last five years fuel solenoid $155, heat exchanger repair $120' new heat exchanger $820, new raw water pump $310, air sound muffler $120, exhaust elbow $380, remanufactured ac end $3500, new coolant tank $450.

During this five year period we put perhaps 1300 hours on the generator. Generator is now 30 years old with 4100 hours.
__________________
Marty
Bay Pelican is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 07:45 AM   #3
Technical Guru
 
Ski in NC's Avatar
 
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
Fuel 1/3gph at 3.00/gal $1.00/hr
Parts and repairs in 1900hrs: About $1000
Oil changes $25.00, about 8: $200.00
Rebuild: Probably won't need it.

1200/1900=0.63, +$1.00/hr for fuel: Operating cost $1.63/hr

Benefit: AC in hot eastern summers. Heat in cold eastern winters. Dive air comp, hot water, batt charge on hook, etc.

Well worth it.
Ski in NC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 08:05 AM   #4
Guru
 
O C Diver's Avatar
 
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,835
My guess would be $7 per hour if you use it more and $10 if you use it less. The $7 figure represents an 8kw genset running at an average 75% load burning $3 per hour of fuel for 500 hours per year. With a life expectancy between 7k and10k hours, this would give you a maintenance and replacement cost of about $28k and $40 over 14 to 20 years at todays dollars. $10 per hour is the same 8kw genset averaging 75% load at $3 per hour for fuel for 200 hours per year. With a life expectancy of 4k hours, this would give you a maintenance and replacement cost of about $28k for 20 years at todays dollars. Maybe a generator will last more than 20 years and parts will be readily available at reasonable prices, but I'm not planning on it.

Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
O C Diver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 08:13 AM   #5
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,683
~$3.50/hour max. I use a generator life span of 7500 hours then buy a new one.

3/4 gallon per hour $4/gallon ($5,625), 38 oil/fuel filter changes (every 200 hours) $1520, injectors 3 times $1,500, misc $4000. Cost of a replacement generator $13,000. Total for 7500 hours = $25,650 or $3.42/hour
Larry M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 11:33 AM   #6
Guru
 
jungpeter's Avatar
 
City: Everett
Vessel Name: LIBERTY
Vessel Model: TOLLY 48
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 502
As there is absolutely no way to determine average user's cost to own any single component on a boat (every installation is different, all age-related costs cannot be compared, replacement cost varies by size, location, amount of DYI, usage varies by owner, etc.) , I'm tempted to say "who cares-you're trying to pick the fly shit out of the pepper". But, the above-posted numbers are probably as good as the limited sample size implies. And, as some brilliant add guy once stated, compared to the benefits of ownership, "Cost? Priceless!". If you want to practice bleeding before you go boating, dump the generator overboard, and drink warm beer.

If you want to REALLY make your knees buckle, honestly compare the cost of ownership per engine hour of your boat after ALL expenses (purchase, repair, fuel, fixed costs) are subtracted from your proceeds after you finally sell it, divided by engine hours you've accumulated over your ownership. YIKES. But again, "Cost? Priceless".

As with all such "how much does it cost" conversations, YMMV. There's no such thing as "the average boat".

Regards,

Pete
jungpeter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 12:41 PM   #7
Guru
 
N4712's Avatar
 
City: South FL
Vessel Name: Oliver
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 47 Hull# 12
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,607
Not enough to matter. You'll spend more money fixing it becaus it wasn't used enough.
__________________
Thanks, Oliver
M/V Oliver
Nordhavn 47 Hull #12
N4712 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 02:07 PM   #8
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
This review is an addition to the how much will it cost to have a boat , and the 10% guesstimate , for wannabees.
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 03:45 PM   #9
Guru
 
mbevins's Avatar
 
City: Windsor
Vessel Name: Keeper IV
Vessel Model: 44 Viking ACMY
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,350
If your that worried about it. Get out of the game cause you shouldn't be in it.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Trawler
mbevins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 05:30 PM   #10
Guru
 
BruceK's Avatar
 
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,333
What would it cost in food spoilage, trips to replenish supplies, lousy food alternatives, general inconvenience, disturbed drinking habits, etc, if we did not have gensets to power our greatest power need, fridge and freezer?
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
BruceK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 05:49 PM   #11
Guru
 
River Cruiser's Avatar
 
City: UMR MM283
Vessel Name: Northern Lights II
Vessel Model: Bayliner 3870
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,357
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ski in NC View Post
Fuel 1/3gph at 3.00/gal $1.00/hr
Parts and repairs in 1900hrs: About $1000
Oil changes $25.00, about 8: $200.00
Rebuild: Probably won't need it.

1200/1900=0.63, +$1.00/hr for fuel: Operating cost $1.63/hr

Benefit: AC in hot eastern summers. Heat in cold eastern winters. Dive air comp, hot water, batt charge on hook, etc.

Well worth it.

Mine are about the same as Ski's, except my fuel use at full load I believe is .7 gph probably .4 or .5 in normal use. In over 1500 hours only oil and filters and a preheat relay, had the cooler cleaned and tested, less than $30.00 and new impeller every 2 years. Need to service the exhaust elbow this year, BCD 8.0 Westerbeke.
__________________
Ron on Northern Lights II
I don't like making plans for the day because the word "premeditated" gets thrown around in the courtroom.
River Cruiser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 06:36 PM   #12
Guru
 
windmill29130's Avatar
 
City: Little River SC
Vessel Name: JAZ
Vessel Model: Ta Chaio/CT35
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 716
I bought a boat with twin engines and a generator, and I intend to use them. My twins are very efficient and I made sure when I was looking at boats that was the case. Being in the south, I will use my generator in order to keep cool. One should consider cost to run prior to purchase, because afterwards it's too late.
__________________
Tracy & Susie Hellman 1985 Ta Chiao CT 35
Twin Lehman Super 90's Cummins Onan 5kw
Lightkeepers Marina -Little River, SC
windmill29130 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2015, 07:58 PM   #13
Guru
 
SCOTTEDAVIS's Avatar
 
City: Vero Beach, FL.
Vessel Name: FIREFLY
Vessel Model: Pilgrim 40
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 918
Who cares, when you're dead you're dead, at $0.00 per hour.

Next world changing topic!!
SCOTTEDAVIS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2015, 06:22 AM   #14
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
What would it cost in food spoilage, trips to replenish supplies, lousy food alternatives, general inconvenience, disturbed drinking habits, etc, if we did not have gensets to power our greatest power need, fridge and freezer?
__________________
BruceK
Island Gypsy 36 Europa "Doriana"
Sydney Australi


Two solutions are OTS.

A Propane reefer uses a 20# bottle every month for silent living.

A custom box reefer can easily go 3-4 days between 2 hour main engine use

Eutetic plates may be "Old School: but for a cruiser they are a simple answer.
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2015, 06:36 AM   #15
Enigma
 
RT Firefly's Avatar
 
City: Slicker?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 16,567
Greetings,
Mr. FF. Propane fridge is a good idea but our insurance company does not allow any appliances with a pilot light. Our oven has a pilot light but is turned off whenever we're under way.
__________________
RTF
RT Firefly is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2015, 08:22 AM   #16
TF Site Team
 
Shrew's Avatar
 
City: Westerly, RI
Vessel Name: N/A
Vessel Model: 1999 Mainship 350 Trawler
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,162
Quote:
Originally Posted by jungpeter View Post
..............
If you want to REALLY make your knees buckle, honestly compare the cost of ownership per engine hour of your boat after ALL expenses (purchase, repair, fuel, fixed costs) are subtracted from your proceeds after you finally sell it, divided by engine hours you've accumulated over your ownership. YIKES. But again, "Cost? Priceless".


Pete
I like to think of the most accurate cost of use for a boat to be sum of all costs divided by number of days used. I would calculate this number if I wanted to give up boating. I agree, the result is priceless, so my goal is simply to stay within my means.

As for the generator. Let's say the genny costs $5/hr to run and you run it for 3 hours a day. Is $15/day worth keeping the 'house' running? You pay utilities in a land dwelling. Look at the genny like a utility bill.
Shrew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2015, 08:27 AM   #17
Guru
 
City: Carefree, Arizona
Vessel Name: sunchaser V
Vessel Model: DeFever 48 (sold)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,188
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ski in NC View Post
Fuel 1/3gph at 3.00/gal $1.00/hr
Parts and repairs in 1900hrs: About $1000
Oil changes $25.00, about 8: $200.00
Rebuild: Probably won't need it.

1200/1900=0.63, +$1.00/hr for fuel: Operating cost $1.63/hr

Benefit: AC in hot eastern summers. Heat in cold eastern winters. Dive air comp, hot water, batt charge on hook, etc.

Well worth it.
Once again Ski nails it.

Low hour little used units will suffer on cost per hour even though being minimal cost on an annual basis. Oil, filters, impellers, belts and hoses could easily equate to $5/hr when running only 25 hours per year.
sunchaser is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2015, 08:36 AM   #18
Guru
 
City: Carefree, Arizona
Vessel Name: sunchaser V
Vessel Model: DeFever 48 (sold)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,188
Well 5 daughters, each with a college education and a wedding. The cost per hour of hand wringing and waiting up at night might cause some to get a vasectomy at age 18. But like boating, life's rewards are more than a cost per hour calculation after the fact.
sunchaser is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2015, 09:17 AM   #19
Guru
 
cafesport's Avatar
 
City: Miami
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 800
Generator Global co$t.

When I ran the numbers for our boat we needed on average 42 KW per day for the various loads including charging air conditioning refrigeration etc...Do we always need this, no but it was an eye opener when considering alternative power.

From fpl that's under 5$ per day. With a 20kw genny it's a little over 2 gallons of diesel per day and between 4 and 8 oil changes per year depending on load plus whatever your time is worth. Given the better views on the boat I would say it's priceless.


Via iPhone.
__________________
Via iOS.
cafesport is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2015, 11:37 AM   #20
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
"Mr. FF. Propane fridge is a good idea but our insurance company does not allow any appliances with a pilot light."

Most propane fridges are 3 way , underway you could use 12V direct for keep alive or invert it to 120V for real fridge use.

When stopped you could turn on the unit as you now do with the stove.

Ignorance is Bliss , perhaps in the vast world of insurance carriers there are better informed folks?
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012