Should I get rid of my Whisper Generater

[steveroofer]

12m Island Packet setup to sail around the world, but we won't be doing that. It has a generator onboard all fitted, taking up stage and needs service and running as I don't intend to use it Im thing of removing it. We have loads of Sola power so I cant see the point in keeping apart form next owner wanting it. Any thoughts ?

 

[Bouba]

I just paid well over two thousand for a generator service....if you don’t want it then sell it..let it make you some money before it starts costing you a fortune

 

[[2574]]

I’ve pretty much the same situation. I’m keeping it whilst it’s running okay, I very occasionally use it. When it starts costing serious money then it’ll be scrapped and I’ll buy a 2kw Honda briefcase jobby for emergency use only. I’ve recently fitted a 100A alternator which is proving effective in filling the gaps left behind by no-sunshine days.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Yes, remove it, for the reasons stated by Bouba, if your sailing is typical coastal leisure sailing in fair weather, especially in areas where occasional access to shore power is required (although your panels probably negates that). Mine was removed an age ago as it was just an expensive inconvenience.

 

[B27]

It will cost time or money to remove and the next owner might want it.
A generator is still nice to have some months of the year.

I would suspect that the kind of person who will choose an IP might be planning the kind of sailing where a generator is still an asset.
Mate of mine has a 40ft stink boat, the genny still gets used on that now and then.
Knowing you can use whatever electricity you want in November can be a nice thing.

 

[ean_p]

I just paid well over two thousand for a generator service....

What did you get for that and what genny was it....?

 

[Bouba]

What did you get for that and what genny was it....?

It is an Onan 6 kva....as well as the normal service there was a leak from the water pump, which had to be replaced as well as a condenser that rusted under the dripping water

 

[William_H]

I would have thought that with a decent generator 240VAC that the cooking etc would be done with AC power. ie no gas. This would mean that OP really needs to keep generator. However if it is just a additional power source then yes perhaps he could remove it. But why? ol'will

 

[roaringgirl]

I can't imagine someone buying an Island Packet and then doing high-lattitude winter cruising, in which case, who needs a genset these days?

 

[Trident]

I've had several customers remove them (well had me do so and they're always bloody heavy and in a difficult spot but such is life) because with modern solar and inverters they are just deadweight and expensive - get rid of it now while there is still a small market for them. (Though a colleague has been trying to sell a good condition 6kw for £700 for almost 6 months with no takers and the 9kw Onan I took out last year (which wasn't in the best cosmetic condition but fully running) got £1200 so don't expect too much for it

 

[Bouba]

I've had several customers remove them (well had me do so and they're always bloody heavy and in a difficult spot but such is life) because with modern solar and inverters they are just deadweight and expensive - get rid of it now while there is still a small market for them. (Though a colleague has been trying to sell a good condition 6kw for £700 for almost 6 months with no takers and the 9kw Onan I took out last year (which wasn't in the best cosmetic condition but fully running) got £1200 so don't expect too much for it

It’s all timing...when I was in the market for a used generator I couldn’t find one anywhere so had to buy new

 

[PCUK]

12m Island Packet setup to sail around the world, but we won't be doing that. It has a generator onboard all fitted, taking up stage and needs service and running as I don't intend to use it Im thing of removing it. We have loads of Sola power so I cant see the point in keeping apart form next owner wanting it. Any thoughts ?

That isn't the Stirling engined unit is it?

 

[geem]

12m Island Packet setup to sail around the world, but we won't be doing that. It has a generator onboard all fitted, taking up stage and needs service and running as I don't intend to use it Im thing of removing it. We have loads of Sola power so I cant see the point in keeping apart form next owner wanting it. Any thoughts ?

It depends what your plans are with the boat. If you are coastal sailing in the UK, you won't need it. If the boat isn't a long term keeper then the next owner may be put off if it doesn't have one.
We dont have much demand for our generator these days but when you need it, its nice to have. When you get a couple of days of cloudy, wet weather and you are at anchor, flicking a switch and having the watermaker run, the immersion heater on and the battery charger, its hard to beat. They are worth little when removed but cost a fortune to fit. I would keep it

 

[Neeves]

I just paid well over two thousand for a generator service....if you don’t want it then sell it..let it make you some money before it starts costing you a fortune

In ignorance - Is it that difficult to service a gen set?

I concur with Geem, when it rains and or is cloudy then having access to electricity other than solar is a benefit (depends on your views, it either maintains the luxury or is essential). Even in sunny Oz we can have a 3 or 4 consecutive days of cloud. You could remove (at some cost or effort), then sell and buy a small Honda gen set.

I'd keep.

Jonathan

 

[harvey38]

I've had several customers remove them (well had me do so and they're always bloody heavy and in a difficult spot but such is life) because with modern solar and inverters they are just deadweight and expensive - get rid of it now while there is still a small market for them. (Though a colleague has been trying to sell a good condition 6kw for £700 for almost 6 months with no takers and the 9kw Onan I took out last year (which wasn't in the best cosmetic condition but fully running) got £1200 so don't expect too much for it

Though a colleague has been trying to sell a good condition 6kw for £700 for almost 6 months with no takers -

Is it still for sale and do you have any details please?

 

[Trident]

Is it still for sale and do you have any details please?

I'll check with him Monday and PM you details if it is

 

[jdc]

In addition to Geem's excellent post, we cruise quite often in the North and even in the Arctic where the solar is too little for our needs, so a generator is sometimes quite useful. And I used it a lot when racing as it's easier just not to run the engine at all, but demand was high (auto pilot mostly) yet going SW on port tack in the N hemisphere the solar gets no sun.