What size generator for my houseboat?

by Leon
(Clinton, TN)

I have recently purchased and remodeled a 11 x 40 1975 Captain's Craft houseboat and need a generator to help power the A/C and fridge. What is the minimum recommended size needed?

I hope you can help me and guide me through this situation. Thanks, Leon.

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Reply - Answer

Hi Leon, thanks for posting your question in the houseboat forums.

Now in regards to generator sizing, that all depends on your electrical needs (your electrical current consumption).

You don't give me any of the electrical current figures found on the manufacturers faceplates (affixed to each appliance), so I will use some standard numbers.

Your A/C unit (rooftop, or thermopump style) could easily require a 20amp breaker, and your refrigerator could require up to 10 amps at startup, so you would easily require a 30amp generator unit.

The common generator sizes for your application would be a 4k or 6.5k generator unit. You will find that Kohler and Westerbeke models are very popular brands.

Marine generator installations have to be done properly, so I would recommend consulting a marine electrician before undertaking a marine generator installation just to be sure that you understand all the complexities.


Lastly, hopefully some of our readers and visitors will share and post comments about their related houseboat generator experiences and tips.

Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.

Thanks again for sharing, IAN from all-about-houseboats

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