Has anyone just got rid of their gen set?

S

Scotty6336

New Member
Sep 9, 2019
10
Raleigh NC
Boat Info
320 Sundancer
Engines
Mercruiser 350
Was just curious....I have a Kohler 5E that was never really used prior to purchase and ran for me 5-6 times when we bought the boat (two seasons ago) but never since. Has no spark and I've replaced sensors done this and that with no luck....Anyway...

This boat is kept now in an inland lake. I won't be moving it to the coast and though we overnight almost every weekend we do so with the kids at the slip, and as the last two years have gone by I've realized I may want the engine room access and less aft weight vs having the problematic 5E I have in there.

So I'm wondering if anyone has done this? I'm not concerned with resale, and in fact if I find someone local I may let them have it in exchange for having it removed and out of my life. I'd think it would be nice to have the open space back there, may help with planing etc. I have V drives and as most know its already pretty tight down there. Thoughts?
 
I guess it depends on where its located. When I bought my 330, the gen was already removed. It was originally on the starboard side. At 1st, I liked the empty space in the bilge to stand in. Now I notice that the reason the port tank was empty, and the fuel crossovers were both set to starboard, was for weight distribution. As i burned fuel, the boat will list to port more and more as the SB tank empties. I wish it was there now.
 
Up in my parts, gensets are 50/50. I can see both sides there. Ample power at the docks, not a lot of overnight anchoring, not that many really hot days and the cool lake michigan water keeps it cooler on the lake, and then throw in the PIA of maintenance and winterization. On the other hand, it's a really nice to have on those days you need it. I chose to find a boat with one as the admiral needs her AC. So, it will depend on your needs and the market. Good luck.
 
I would equate removing a genset with removing troublesome power steering from my truck. Kohlers can be finicky with sensors like oil temp/level/pressure, coolant temp/level, etc. I would try to find someone to fix it, or sell and replace with a westerbeke, but for me, I would not just remove it.
 
I walked away from a boat I looked at prior to purchasing my current one because the seller had removed the genny. Seller wanted full price compared to comparables with generators. So yes, you can remove it but be prepared to sell it for less.
 
As a first time purchaser of a bigger boat, I didn’t look at any boats without a generator. Now I would be happy throwing the thing overboard.
 
jmauld said:
As a first time purchaser of a bigger boat, I didn’t look at any boats without a generator. Now I would be happy throwing the thing overboard.
Click to expand...

Do you use it? Gensets that are used are typically problem free...those that aren't are plagued with problems. That has been my experience over three boats with the Kohler gen...
 
I fire it up once a month. I think the biggest issue is just lack of maintenance by the previous owner. Once I get caught up on all the shit he ignored things should get a bit better.
 
jmauld said:
I fire it up once a month. I think the biggest issue is just lack of maintenance by the previous owner. Once I get caught up on all the shit he ignored things should get a bit better.
Click to expand...

Every trip. I'd fire it up as we unplugged from shorepower and she ran until we were back and plugged in...
 
When I bought my boat, I fought a 19 year old genny and getting all maint up to snuff. Since I replaced the fuel pump, tune up, sensor or 2 and rebuilt the carb, the issues have gone away.

I run my genny a couple hours every weekend we are in the boat. That has helped to keep the issues down. Imo
 
I totally understand the frustration of owning and maintaining a gas generator knowing it will only die again in some hours or days ahead when you most need it. My friend has a 2000 380 and replaced his gas kohler with a rebuilt Westerbeke. Worked great for ~20 hours then burned out on a minimal load. Tried fixing it for the next season and gave up. Now there is new diesel generator going in as we speak with a diesel tank being placed between the engines. That just increased the value of his boat.
 
With my previous gas boats I rarely ran the generator. With the new to me 380 diesel I start it immediately after starting the mains.

I am following a newer boater on YouTube who has twin 5.7s Volvos and a diesel genny. Interesting set up.

IF you take your genny out DO NOT advertise your boat for sale with a generator, some do that and it's frustrating.
 
jmauld said:
I fire it up once a month. I think the biggest issue is just lack of maintenance by the previous owner. Once I get caught up on all the shit he ignored things should get a bit better.
Click to expand...
Running it once a month isn’t going to help that much - it would be better to run it every trip. Rusty’s advice to me was if the main engine is on, the generator should be running too. He likes to see roughly the same number of hours on the mains and the generator.
 
zool said:
I guess it depends on where its located. When I bought my 330, the gen was already removed. It was originally on the starboard side. At 1st, I liked the empty space in the bilge to stand in. Now I notice that the reason the port tank was empty, and the fuel crossovers were both set to starboard, was for weight distribution. As i burned fuel, the boat will list to port more and more as the SB tank empties. I wish it was there now.
Click to expand...
Never thought about the fuel burn issue. We use this boat weekly, 70% we just let the kids swim and hang at the dock, remainder is spent beaching somewhere local....We don't burn through tha
 
mrsrobinson said:
With my previous gas boats I rarely ran the generator. With the new to me 380 diesel I start it immediately after starting the mains.

I am following a newer boater on YouTube who has twin 5.7s Volvos and a diesel genny. Interesting set up.

IF you take your genny out DO NOT advertise your boat for sale with a generator, some do that and it's frustrating.
Click to expand...
Gas engines / diesel genny setup is becoming more common. More outboards are gas, but the gen is diesel. The two Back Cove outboard models are configured this way with 20 gallon diesel tanks.
 
I appreciate all the feedback. I think my gen set has only around 30 hours on it so it was never really used. When I first went to see this boat it was removed and out for service. When we took possesion I knew to run it as much as possible and did run it weekly for at least an hour or so. Then one time I started it, it immediatly shut off and no spark since then.

I spent last night doing as much research as I could to try to come up with a last stand plan, I'll put another day into trying to fix it and if no dice I think I will remove it and just store it somewhere, or possibly send it off for repair one day.

Even though I ran it several times, what worries me is the PO did remove it and sent it off, and with the sensors and what not I've already been through the problem may be more serious. Everyone gets it I know, but man you drive to the boat with some part climb all the way in there mess around for a few hours with no results....After 5-6 times of that I've just about had it.
 
b_arrington said:
Running it once a month isn’t going to help that much - it would be better to run it every trip. Rusty’s advice to me was if the main engine is on, the generator should be running too. He likes to see roughly the same number of hours on the mains and the generator.
Click to expand...
And load up the generator, turn things on.
 
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