www.iFourWinns.com

Nice little unit, if space and weight are at a premium on your boat.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

That is a nice unit except that it's diesel which still can be done, but mixed fuels on a boat are never a good thing, just more chance for operator screw up or marina screw up.

Westerbeke makes a 3.0KW genset that is small and lightweight (gas) runs at much less RPM than the competition and is very quiet. It's not cheap though, figure 5-6K

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Brett DiMichele

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Some additional info on gas vs. diesel generators on boats.

*Diesels are safer from the standpoint of explosions as diesel oil vapors are not explosive.

*Gas generators are responsible for most instances of CO poisoning.

*Diesel exhaust produces far less CO than gas exhaust, though diesel exhaust produces suphur dioxide that can quickly cause nausea, but is not life threatening. If you plan to do much overighting at anchor with a generator running, diesel is definitely the way to go.

*With heavy use, a diesel powered genny will outlast a gas powered equivalent.

* Diesel generators last far longer than gas generators. To get diesel fuel to burn requires much higher compression than a gasoline engine so the block, crankshaft and cylinder heads of a diesel engine are made heavier than a similarly sized gasoline engine. But despite the higher pressures of a diesel engine, these heavier parts simply last longer.

* Diesel generators have better fuel consumption than gas. Diesel fuel has a much higher energy content per gallon than gasoline. Given the similar efficiencies of the two engine technologies, the diesel engine burns fewer gallons of fuel for the same power output.

* An 1800 rpm water cooled diesel unit operates for 12,000 to 30,000 hours before any major maintenance is necessary. An 1800 rpm water cooled gas unit usually operates for 6000-10,000 hours before it needs servicing.

* Gas units burn hotter than diesel units, and hence they have a significantly shorter life compared with diesel units.

In a side by side test at last years' Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, there was a test of one of these genny's up against a Kohler gas powered genny of similar power. I forget the actual db readings , but the diesel unit was significantly quieter. Many builders are switching to diesel these days, and now with this compact design, boaters with limited space can also take advantage of the benefits as well.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

The whole explosive gas vapor argument is negated by the fact that there is still a gasoline engine in the bilge. Mixed fuels introduce the ability to improperly fuel the gas and/or diesel tanks (and it does happen quite often, just as often as marina attendants putting gas into the bilge via a rod holder).

No arguments on the lifespan of diesel or the reduction in CO. A Diesel Genset isn't a bad thing.. But for guys with small engine rooms, there may not be additional room for a fuel tank. (The Vistas however, if not optioned with gray water, have a perfect spot for a 16.5 gallon diesel tank!

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Brett DiMichele

FYI,

I contacted the manufacturer and this is not a genset it is a "Marine Power Unit" it does not generate any electricity, it requires you to add an alternator to it.


I knew that price was too good to be true for a Genset.

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Brett DiMichele