Let There be Light: Marine Generators for Backup, Batteries and Boating at Night
Just like a generator that you may have for your house, a marine generator keeps appliances, heaters and electronics running on board the boat. If the power happens to go out at the marina or private boat dock rental, or if you’re “on the hook,” a marine generator makes life a lot easier and more comfortable. Today, we’re going to talk generators. Let’s get to it!
Uses for Marine Generators
- Fishing and boating at night
- Charging batteries
- Backup power for power outages
- Boat navigation lights or GPS systems
- Large appliances like refrigerators, water heaters or air conditioning
- Use at a private boat slip rental that doesn’t have power hookups
The main difference between a marine generator and the one you might use in your house is that marine generators are built to resist corrosion and moisture issues due to being in a water-based environment. Additionally, they’re designed to be compact to allow for space (or lack thereof) on board the boat.
Photo: Firman Power Equipment (Facebook)
Types of Marine Generators
There are three main types of marine generators: conventional, inverted and electric or solar.
Conventional Generators
- Run via fuel
- Works like a motor
- Can be noisy
- Offers a steady supply of power for any device
Inverted Marine Generators
- Work like a battery
- Provides consistent charge (this might not occur with a conventional generator)
- Cheaper, compact and quieter than conventional generators
- Good for short-term use for things like coffee makers, blenders or microwaves
- If your boat doesn’t have AC or lots of electricity-needing things, an inverter is a great option
Electric and Solar Marine Generators
- Eco-friendly (but don’t have as much power as the previous two)
- Light power but quick charging
Photo: Firman Power Equipment (Facebook)
Helpful Tip: If your boat uses gas, get a gas generator. If it uses diesel, get a diesel generator. This way, you won’t need to make unnecessary fuel dock trips. Many boaters prefer diesel because it’s less flammable, provides higher performance and is more cost-effective. Gas generators can put off carbon dioxide. Diesel generators don’t produce these toxic fumes, making them a better choice for use at a marina or private boat slip for rent.
Gas Generator Pros
- Cost efficient
- Quiet
- Readily available
Gas Generator Cons
- Puts off carbon dioxide
- Explosive fuel
Diesel Generator Pros
- Fuel efficient
- Long life
- Safe
- Convenient to install
- Less maintenance needed
- Stable supply of power
Diesel Generator Cons
- More expensive
- Noisy
- Less environmentally conscious
- Expensive to repair
Generator size for a boat
- Small boats under 20 feet in length: 5-8 kW
- Medium boats between 30’ to 39’ in length: 10 – 25 kW
- Large boats 39’ in length and up – 30 kW
Generator Brands
If you spend a couple of hours out on the lake or river every other weekend, you don’t necessarily need a generator, But, for adventurous journeys like a Great Loop trip, traveling from Florida to the Bahamas or cruising the Bahamas / Cuba Loop, you’ll definitely want a generator in your equipment arsenal.
Along with solar panels, marine generators can be a great benefit to your boating life whether at a marina, a private boat dock for rent or out on the water. We hope this has provided you with valuable advice for choosing a marine generator for your boat.
