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07-31-2014, 05:41 AM
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#1
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Veteran Member
City: Jupiter, FL
Vessel Name: 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Vessel Model: 2016 Beneteau Swift 30
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 28
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New Genset suggestions
We unfortunately have to replace our Kohler 8 kw generator (285 hours) due to head gasket, warped head, scorched pistons ,etc after the oil sample only told us 1% glycol and minor water in it before we purchased the boat two weeks ago. There was no coolant in it at all! Where it was mounted in our Mainship 400 it was impossible to check fluid levels without dismantling nearly half the aft section of the boat.
I'd appreciate any suggestions for replacement makes since Kohler has fallen from my graces of late. I spoke with a broker yesterday that has had the same symptoms with the last two boats he surveyed.
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07-31-2014, 05:59 AM
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#2
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,157
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Westerbeke seems a quality product for it's price.
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07-31-2014, 06:29 AM
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#3
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Guru
City: Fort Pierce
Vessel Name: Florita Ann
Vessel Model: 1982 Present
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,935
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The gold standard is Northern Lights isn't it?
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07-31-2014, 06:39 AM
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#4
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,157
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because the price you pay for them?...
I'm curious why people think they are so much better than sets like Westerbeke that run for 20-30 years/10,000+ hours without major issues or even that many minor ones.
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07-31-2014, 06:41 AM
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#5
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Guru
City: Niceville, FL
Vessel Name: At Last
Vessel Model: 1990 Jefferson 52 Marquessa
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 724
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I am a Northern Lights fan also. What ever you get make sure you have good access to all the service points and fluids. Might need to relocate it or something to make sure you can access everything. Sorry this happened to you so early into your new boat.
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07-31-2014, 06:44 AM
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#6
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Guru
City: Niceville, FL
Vessel Name: At Last
Vessel Model: 1990 Jefferson 52 Marquessa
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 724
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We have the Westerbeke now and it works well. I have had few problems with her but have got them resolved. We had the NL on the previous boat and were pleased also. No issue with either one of them.
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07-31-2014, 06:47 AM
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#7
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Guru
City: Fort Pierce
Vessel Name: Florita Ann
Vessel Model: 1982 Present
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psneeld
because the price you pay for them?...
I'm curious why people think they are so much better than sets like Westerbeke that run for 20-30 years/10,000+ hours without major issues or even that many minor ones.
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Uggg......I have a westerbeke...great generator...
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07-31-2014, 06:55 AM
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#8
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Veteran Member
City: Jupiter, FL
Vessel Name: 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Vessel Model: 2016 Beneteau Swift 30
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 28
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Salvage
We're in Norfolk. Is there any salvage value to the Kohler with 285 hours??
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07-31-2014, 07:13 AM
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#9
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TF Site Team
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,683
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How much do you think you'll use a generator and for what? Maybe try a Honda 2000 to see if you really need one. Spending $14K, plus sound shield, plus installation, is a lot of boat units. I'm sure you've given some thought on a replacement model and where it's service points are. The Northern Lights are all on one side as I believe the Westerbeke's are also.
We're a Northern Lights fan having owned 2. Their reliability, dealer network and parts availability, in areas that we have cruised, has been a big plus.
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07-31-2014, 07:16 AM
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#10
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Veteran Member
City: Jupiter, FL
Vessel Name: 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Vessel Model: 2016 Beneteau Swift 30
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 28
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Generator use
Larry,
I think we'll use it quite a bit since we plan on "gunk holing" the majority of the time cruising the Bay and the ICW.
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07-31-2014, 07:31 AM
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#11
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TF Site Team
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,683
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwalz
Larry,
I think we'll use it quite a bit since we plan on "gunk holing" the majority of the time cruising the Bay and the ICW.
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So much for that idea then. Ask around your home marina for who has the best service and reputation for any of the major 1800 rpm generators. It may make life simpler down the road.
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07-31-2014, 08:25 AM
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#12
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Guru
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,088
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwalz
We unfortunately have to replace our Kohler 8 kw generator (285 hours) due to head gasket, warped head, scorched pistons ,etc after the oil sample only told us 1% glycol and minor water in it before we purchased the boat two weeks ago. There was no coolant in it at all! Where it was mounted in our Mainship 400 it was impossible to check fluid levels without dismantling nearly half the aft section of the boat.
I'd appreciate any suggestions for replacement makes since Kohler has fallen from my graces of late. I spoke with a broker yesterday that has had the same symptoms with the last two boats he surveyed.
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Seems like if difficult access and lack of service is the underlying problem, the brand of replacement probably doesn't much matter. Can't imagine any other brands doing all that well with no fluids...
Sounds like replacement choice is an easy issue; eeney, meeney... rock/paper/scissors, whatever. Also sounds like if the access for service isn't improved the same problem will reappear no matter who won the coin toss.
-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA
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07-31-2014, 08:31 AM
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#13
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Guru
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwalz
We're in Norfolk. Is there any salvage value to the Kohler with 285 hours??
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There can be. Or you might be able to do a trade out where you give some one your old Genset for getting it out and installing the new one.
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07-31-2014, 08:42 AM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,267
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We just went through a generator replacement three years ago.
A new 8KW Westerbeke was quoted at $8400
A new Northern Lights 9KW was quoted at $12,400.
Both are good generators.
The Northern Lights is quieter. Actually the NL is the quietest generator in its size range.
The voltage regulation is more accurate being a electronic type, but not so much more accurate that anybody would notice.
The generator end on the Northern Lights is a Marathon brand unit. Nothing wrong with the Westerbeke though.
I bought the Northern Lights.
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07-31-2014, 08:44 AM
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#15
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Guru
City: South FL
Vessel Name: Oliver
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 47 Hull# 12
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,607
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My vote goes to Northern Lights, great gennies.
__________________
Thanks, Oliver
M/V Oliver
Nordhavn 47 Hull #12
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07-31-2014, 08:48 AM
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#16
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Guru
City: Carefree, Arizona
Vessel Name: sunchaser V
Vessel Model: DeFever 48 (sold)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,188
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger42c
Seems like if difficult access and lack of service is the underlying problem, the brand of replacement probably doesn't much matter. Can't imagine any other brands doing all that well with no fluids...
Sounds like replacement choice is an easy issue; eeney, meeney... rock/paper/scissors, whatever. Also sounds like if the access for service isn't improved the same problem will reappear no matter who won the coin toss.
-Chris
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You nailed it Chris. Overcoming Mainship's bad layout design is job one.
But, tho previous owner knew what was going on so I'd suggest a thorough servicing and trouble shooting of the engines and related cooling systems to get the vessel to perfect go forward status.
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07-31-2014, 08:50 AM
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#17
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Guru
City: LI or Fla
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,148
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We have a Northern Lights now for 15 years (5.5kw), works flawlessly since new. You might find you could go with a smaller unit like a 6kw and run most of what you would need, smaller foot print, reduced weight and lower cost to a 9kw unit.
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07-31-2014, 08:53 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
City: Cape Coral FL\Grand Island NY
Vessel Name: Missy
Vessel Model: 1997 Mainship 350
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 192
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Generator access on our Mainship 350 is the same as the OP - AWFUL. There really is no other place to mount a genset on these boats except under the cockpit floor between the two water tanks. I would suggest downsizing your next genny to make access to it a bit easier. A 4 or 5kw would be more than sufficient. We have the 8kw now and there is no way we ever need that much power. We also have a Honda which never fails and does a super job charging our battery bank and as a backup to our main set.
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07-31-2014, 10:43 AM
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#19
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Veteran Member
City: La Petite Mort
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 92
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07-31-2014, 11:26 AM
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#20
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Chicago, IL
Vessel Name: Bay Pelican
Vessel Model: Krogen 42
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,993
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Smaller is something to consider. Basically comes down to whether you intend to aircondition at anchor (also possibly an electric oven. With a Krogen 42 with two large chargers (135 amps and 105 amps) and an electric water heater (1500 watts) plus ac/dc refrigerator and freezer) we have a hard time fully loading our 8 kw. When I was considering whether to repair or replace last year I was seriously considering downsizing to a 6kw unit.
__________________
Marty
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