Bruce Jacobs and our partners at Rubicon 3 Sailing explain how to determine the best type and size of genset for your yacht and needsIt wasn\u2019t long ago that even ambitious cruising yachts had only the bare minimum in electrical systems. Navigation lights, a VHF radio, perhaps an electric windlass and a single GPS plotter were about as sophisticated as things got.
\nPower demands were modest, and we managed with a decent-sized battery bank, topped up now and then by the engine alternator.
\nModern cruisers are a different story.
\nToday\u2019s yachts are expected to run fridges, freezers, laptops, and autopilots as standard. These place a heavy drain on the house battery bank.
\nAdd in watermakers, air conditioning, or even induction hobs, and you\u2019re into the realm of AC power demands as well.
\nThis is where a generator can become essential. Not only can it keep your batteries charged without prolonged engine use, it also powers those high-demand systems that require 230V or 110V AC.
\nChoosing a generator, however, is not something many yacht owners will have done before.
\nAt Rubicon 3, our vessels operate year-round, from the icy seas of Greenland and Svalbard to the Caribbean\u2019s sweltering humidity. In between are many ocean crossings and many nights at anchor, with our crews relying on their generator for power, heat, refrigeration, desalination, and more.
\nIt means our yachts need a generator that can handle variable loads smoothly, work hard every day in a commercial environment, and above all, remain reliable.
\nUnlike items such as foul-weather gear, where you can try something on and trust a few reviews, selecting a generator is more opaque.
\nManufacturers such as Fischer Panda, Northern Lights, Onan and WhisperPower all have confident sales teams and polished brochures, but once you\u2019ve filtered out the marketing spin, how do you make the right choice?
\nFisher Panda 8000i installation in one of Rubicon 3\u2019s adventure yachts. Photo: Rubicon3
\nKnow your load
\nThe first step is calculating your expected electrical load, including peak expected draw and a lower \u2018duty cycle\u2019.
\nThis will narrow the field.
\nYou\u2019ll find that generators are usually rated in kVA \u2013 their total output, including wasted or \u2018non-working\u2019 power due to inefficiencies in the electrical system. They should also give an output in Watts (far more helpful to know), which will usually be around 80% of the kVA.
\nSo 8kVA gives around 6.5kW, enough to run the kettle, toaster, battery charger and watermaker \u2013 though never more than two at once.
\nCheck the physical size
\nOnce you\u2019ve got a shortlist of models that can meet your power requirements, the next crucial step is ensuring it will physically fit, not just into your engine room, but onto your bearers or generator platform \u2013 and, if not, what modifications you need to make.
\nSome models are compact and modular, while others are bulky and require greater installation space. It\u2019s not the most exciting aspect of choosing a model, but it is quite key!
\nRubicon 3 chose Fischer Panda generators for its fleet of yachts because they best suited the firm\u2019s operating model
\nFixed vs Variable Speed: The Trade-Off
\nYou\u2019ll also see that some models are fixed speed and others variable.
\nVariable speed generators adapt engine speed to the load demand, while fixed speed sets run at one speed, whatever the load.
\nVariable speed generators are, therefore, ideal for vessels with constantly fluctuating loads. They\u2019re usually quieter, more fuel-efficient under light loads, and generally more compact. But they\u2019re also more complex and there\u2019s more to go wrong.
\nFixed speed generators, on the other hand, are usually simpler but slightly heavier, noisier, and less efficient when running below capacity.
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Think Beyond the Spec Sheet
\nEqually important to your choice should be after-sales support.
\nThe most sophisticated generator won\u2019t help you if there are no service technicians or parts suppliers in your part of the world.
\nLook at the brand\u2019s service network in the regions you plan to sail.
\nAgain, quick access to support and spares is not glamorous to prepare for, but you\u2019ll be very pleased that it\u2019s there when you need it.
\nFischer Panda generator
\nThe Reality of Ownership
\nHaving worked as an engineer on superyachts and managed multiple different generator brands in the Rubicon 3 fleet, i can honestly say this: if a generator is properly installed, operated within its limits, and serviced correctly, most of the major brands are very good.
\nI have not found that any one brand stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of reliability.
\nFinal Thoughts
\nChoosing a generator for most cruising yachts is part of careful research of the items listed above and the happenstance of which generator is available near you, at the time you need it, and the price you can negotiate.
\nTake time to specify it correctly, plan for access and support, and match the system to your operational needs.
\nDo that, and whichever brand you choose, you\u2019re likely to have a generator that repays your trust when you\u2019re hundreds of miles offshore or in the wilds \u2013 and that\u2019s what really matters.<\/p>\n
If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/p>\n
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The post Expert guide to choosing a marine generator for cruising yachts appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bruce Jacobs and our partners at Rubicon 3 Sailing explain how to determine the best type and size of genset for your yacht and needsIt wasn\u2019t long ago that even ambitious cruising yachts had only the bare minimum in electrical … <\/p>\n