Three Tips on Buying a Used Boat With an Old Generator
erator. Replacing a physically larger model with a smaller, more efficient one could cut down on installation time. But to determine exactly how long it will take for a replacement, technicians need to physically crawl around your engine room, examine where your water and exhaust hookups are and sometimes get creative with the types of mounts employed. That last factor brings us to a major benefit of the modern generator: rubber mounts that reduce the noise and vibration of your system. (Perhaps your friends might raft up with you again after all!)
If you’re handy and have worked on engines in the past, you may be thinking, “I could probably replace the generator myself and save a few bucks.” You’d better think again, explains Puckett. “You’re generating electricity, which is feeding the lifeblood of your boat, like your communications systems, your air conditioning, nav systems, and these are sensitive electronics that people have grown to become dependent on,” he says. “Don’t get too cavalier and try to tackle a project like this alone. We’re talking electricity so a unique skill set is needed.”
Another benefit of having a company like Northern Lights—with more than 300 dealers worldwide—tackle our installation is the warranty they offer. On new models, they cover everything for the first year, parts for year two, and then major components for the following three years.
Replacing a generator is a serious decision. Bring in the professionals to properly size your new genset, keep up with its routine maintenance, and enjoy knowing that you’re going to be cruising in comfort for a long time.
Ask the seller if he has spare parts aboard; if he doesn’t that is a warning sign that the generator may not have been well maintained.
Inspect rubber hoses, gaskets, and belts. If any are cracked or split this is another warning sign the system wasn’t properly cared for.
Ask for a log. “Asking for maintenance records is like asking for a CARFAX,” says Puckett. “If the system was maintained and winterized properly there should be a record of that.” RESOURCES