Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-31-2014, 05:41 AM   #1
Veteran Member
 
City: Jupiter, FL
Vessel Name: 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Vessel Model: 2016 Beneteau Swift 30
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 28
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.
bwalz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 05:59 AM   #2
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,157
Westerbeke seems a quality product for it's price.
psneeld is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 06:29 AM   #3
Guru
 
Mule's Avatar
 
City: Fort Pierce
Vessel Name: Florita Ann
Vessel Model: 1982 Present
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,935
The gold standard is Northern Lights isn't it?
Mule is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 06:39 AM   #4
Guru
 
psneeld's Avatar
 
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,157
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.
psneeld is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 06:41 AM   #5
Guru
 
Rogerh's Avatar
 
City: Niceville, FL
Vessel Name: At Last
Vessel Model: 1990 Jefferson 52 Marquessa
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 724
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.
Rogerh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 06:44 AM   #6
Guru
 
Rogerh's Avatar
 
City: Niceville, FL
Vessel Name: At Last
Vessel Model: 1990 Jefferson 52 Marquessa
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 724
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.
Rogerh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 06:47 AM   #7
Guru
 
Mule's Avatar
 
City: Fort Pierce
Vessel Name: Florita Ann
Vessel Model: 1982 Present
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,935
Quote:
Originally Posted by psneeld View Post
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.
Uggg......I have a westerbeke...great generator...
Mule is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 06:55 AM   #8
Veteran Member
 
City: Jupiter, FL
Vessel Name: 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Vessel Model: 2016 Beneteau Swift 30
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 28
Salvage

We're in Norfolk. Is there any salvage value to the Kohler with 285 hours??
bwalz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 07:13 AM   #9
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,683
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.
Larry M is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 07:16 AM   #10
Veteran Member
 
City: Jupiter, FL
Vessel Name: 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Vessel Model: 2016 Beneteau Swift 30
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 28
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.
bwalz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 07:31 AM   #11
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,683
Quote:
Originally Posted by bwalz View Post
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.
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.
Larry M is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 08:25 AM   #12
Guru
 
ranger58sb's Avatar
 
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,088
Quote:
Originally Posted by bwalz View Post
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.

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
ranger58sb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 08:31 AM   #13
Guru
 
Capt.Bill11's Avatar
 
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
Quote:
Originally Posted by bwalz View Post
We're in Norfolk. Is there any salvage value to the Kohler with 285 hours??
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.
Capt.Bill11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 08:42 AM   #14
Moderator Emeritus
 
ksanders's Avatar
 
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,267
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.
__________________
Kevin Sanders
Bayliner 4788 Dos Peces
Seward, Alaska - La Paz, Baja California Sur
https://maps.findmespot.com/s/XLJZ#history/assets
ksanders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 08:44 AM   #15
Guru
 
N4712's Avatar
 
City: South FL
Vessel Name: Oliver
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 47 Hull# 12
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,607
My vote goes to Northern Lights, great gennies.
__________________
Thanks, Oliver
M/V Oliver
Nordhavn 47 Hull #12
N4712 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 08:48 AM   #16
Guru
 
City: Carefree, Arizona
Vessel Name: sunchaser V
Vessel Model: DeFever 48 (sold)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,188
Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger42c View Post
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
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.
sunchaser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 08:50 AM   #17
Guru
 
City: LI or Fla
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,148
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.
Marlinmike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 08:53 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
ronlord's Avatar
 
City: Cape Coral FL\Grand Island NY
Vessel Name: Missy
Vessel Model: 1997 Mainship 350
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 192
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.
ronlord is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 10:43 AM   #19
Veteran Member
 
Electro's Avatar
 
City: La Petite Mort
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 92
Ive been eyeballing this one http://www.kohlerpower.com/marine/detail.htm?sectionNumber=13461&categoryNumber=8361 &filter_1=60 Hz&prodnum=21540602 Hz&prodnum=21540602
Electro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2014, 11:26 AM   #20
Moderator Emeritus
 
Bay Pelican's Avatar
 
City: Chicago, IL
Vessel Name: Bay Pelican
Vessel Model: Krogen 42
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,993
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
Bay Pelican 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 10:47 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