Can you recommed a generator for my 260 sundancer 2004

Vijitha Bandara

Vijitha Bandara

New Member
Mar 15, 2020
13
Boat Info
260 Sundancer 2004
Engines
Mercruser 350 Bravo 3
I am planning to install a small generator in my boat what is the recommended brand and model and the cost? appreciate your comments!
 
Complicated question. What are you trying to power? A couple cell phone chargers, or stove, marine air and a microwave simultaneously?

You'll need to know the start and running amps for thing on board, as starting amps on a motor can be 2-3 times the run amps. And things have to be sized to accommodate that amount of power.

You can get a small self contained generator that produces 2000W. You might also consider an inverter if your power requirements are more modest.

I think those small genies are $3k-$5k, probably double that installed.
 
dtfeld said:
Complicated question. What are you trying to power? A couple cell phone chargers, or stove, marine air and a microwave simultaneously?

You'll need to know the start and running amps for thing on board, as starting amps on a motor can be 2-3 times the run amps. And things have to be sized to accommodate that amount of power.

You can get a small self contained generator that produces 2000W. You might also consider an inverter if your power requirements are more modest.

I think those small genies are $3k-$5k, probably double that installed.
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. Hi thx for ur input I it’s a standard sea ray 260 sundancer year of manufacture 2004 with microwave,AC unit,min fridge as u said will chk for the total power requiremeta any manufacturer sites I can visit and get information?
 
I looked into it for my 330 a while back. Westerbeke used to make a nice small one, but they stopped making them. At the time (5 years ago) the cost in Canada was just too much. By the time I factored in the generator, exhaust, installation and wiring it was well over C$10K. I also looked for used, but it pretty quickly was obvious that you are really buying someone else's problems. They replace them for a reason. Good luck and if you find a reasonable source/cost, let us all know.
 
The generator offered as an option on a 2004 260 was a Kohler 5.0 - I am just taking an educated guess, but you are probably going to be close to $10k to have one installed exactly as SeaRay would have installed it. Another option would be a Westerbeake of the same size - SeaRay also installs Westerbeake in their boats. Any other options, ie taking a portable generator and installing it, running one on the swimdeck etc, etc is just asking for trouble - CO, grounding issues, just not a good idea - really, don't do this - if you do don't post about it here, this crowd will tear you up over it.

Economically this is a bad idea, but if you want a generator and don't mind spending the $$, this is the way I would go. Find a Kohler or Westerbeake dealer - neither company sells directly - or find a used one, just have it professionally and properly installed. Also, unless you are looking to run your AC, an inverter would be much cheaper and could run everything else you would want to.

Not at all trying to be hard on you, just trying to give you the right advice. This topic has been covered dozens of times here and the answer is always the same. After market generator installs done correctly are expensive and portable generator use on a boat is a bad idea.
 
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To replace mine I was quoted 8K US. Go look at other boats with a generator. A 2500 watt inverter with 10 six volt batteries cost us 5K in 2006. They will not run an AC or watermaker. You will also need 100 AMP charger on the engine so you can charge when under way.
 
BillK2632 said:
The generator offered as an option on a 2004 260 was a Kohler 5.0 - I am just taking an educated guess, but you are probably going to be close to $10k to have one installed exactly as SeaRay would have installed it. Another option would be a Westerbeake of the same size - SeaRay also installs Westerbeake in their boats. Any other options, ie taking a portable generator and installing it, running one on the swimdeck etc, etc is just asking for trouble - CO, grounding issues, just not a good idea - really, don't do this - if you do don't post about it here, this crowd will tear you up over it.

Economically this is a bad idea, but if you want a generator and don't mind spending the $$, this is the way I would go. Find a Kohler or Westerbeake dealer - neither company sells directly - or find a used one, just have it professionally and properly installed. Also, unless you are looking to run your AC, an inverter would be much cheaper and could run everything else you would want to.

Not at all trying to be hard on you, just trying to give you the right advice. This topic has been covered dozens of times here and the answer is always the same. After market generator installs done correctly are expensive and portable generator use on a boat is a bad idea.
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I really appreciate ur advice I would look out for a Kohler 5.0 which sounds safe and compatible thx.
 
Vijitha Bandara said:
I really appreciate ur advice I would look out for a Kohler 5.0 which sounds safe and compatible thx.
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Westerbeke’s seem ( check out posts about Kohler issues) to have less issues than Kohlers and also run at a lower RPM which makes the quieter
 
get a westerbeke 3.5 BPMG - puts out about the same Amps as you 30A shorepower - its light and easy to install - like all marine gas generators, its a bitch to keep running
 
You might want to make the effort to calculate your electrical load to assess the size generator needed vs. just accepting the factory option. Generators are more efficient and last longer when they operate near their load capacity. Having too much capacity vs. your load costs more in capital expense, operating expense, and is not good for the generator.
 
Thanks guys I think the best option is the westerbeke 3.5 BPMG.
.
 
Espos4 said:
Probably The cheapest way to properly do this is to sell your boat and buy one with a generator.

I’m not being sarcastic.
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That’s great advice.... but... I have spent 4 years getting my boat the way I like it... I really don’t want to start over ... boats don’t make sense... if you have the money .... throw it at it... I never regretted spending money on the boat...
 
Vijitha Bandara said:
Thanks guys I think the best option is the westerbeke 3.5 BPMG.
.
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Citimarine in Miami has the 3.5 EFI unit for US$10,000. Plus the installation kit and then add labor cost for installation. Prices have gone up a lot for the newer technology. Better part of $15K for a 3.5 genset installed. Wow.
 
For that small of a boat, Don't go with a permanently install / water cooled Generator. The expense to install, not to mention the expense of the generator itself is way to costly.
Get your self a portable Generator *** suggest Yamaha or Honda. These are quiet, extremely fuel efficient and small enough to put anywhere on your boat. all you need to do is plug the generator into any AC outlet to supply AC to your boat when off shore power. Or even better you can create a AC input to your boat and have it switched at your AC Panel / i.e. Generator Breaker -- which would safely turn-off your Shore AC and switch you to use your Generator AC.
So much more cost effect, portable, can take with you if you sell the boat, so much more cost effective and not tied to marine repair personnel or marina if needs repairs.
 
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