Liveaboard Info/Help?

I think you'd find the amount of elec. generated insufficient for a 40' motoryacht and gennerally a PITA compared to just plugging in. Roughing it is OK for a weekend, but not so great for day to day living. IMHO that's more of a 1960's lifestyle than now. Besides, if you plan to follow the sun air conditioning will be real nice.

I hope I didn't give the impression I don't intend on plugging in. I certainly like my stuff cold and juice for the laptop, warm water, etc.

I'm just kicking around some ideas, is all.

Its just a passing interest I have, and probably wouldn't pursue it unless the device was already installed by the previous owner. One thing I've learned, even here on land, is don't stick your hands into a running machine. Cutting in to a well designed system would be a mistake, for the few hundred hours per year I may be away from the dock.

Say, how many hours can you typically get on a normal, consumer model genny? I've seen them advertised with about 1700-1800 hours, usually no higher than that.

Not sure of the lifespan. It depends on a lot of factors. Considering that the average 40' yacht only runs about 100 hours a year, and live aboards often less....

Good to know.

I've got a 30 yr old, noisey rattletrap Onan genny with 3400 + hrs on it.
1980, 7.5 Kw Diesel w/ glow plugs and sound shield.
Change the oil every 100 or so hrs, keep it clean.
I've had some minor repairs over the years ( the raw water pumps suck on these ) but nothing major.
Every time I leave the slip, I run the genny and I load it up.
They don't like to run no load that much.
I think not running them is worse than putting hours on them, same with the engines.
For your comparison list. . . .

Ah! Thats more like it. Living proof!

The more I read on these Onan's, the more impressed I am. I'm focusing on gennies and engines, and my concerns are beginning to fade a little.

Thanks neighbor.

I have a Kohler 20kw that I run every time I go out and if I don't go out run it for at least 1/2 hour on Saturday morning under a regular load on the boat. In the past 8 years I have replaced the thermostat and changed the oil every year. I think if you use it regularly you will get longer life out of it.

We live aboard but usually go out twice a month, I don't want a dock queen and I believe my diesels like the gen set need to be used.

Yes that is true......Most Onan's and westerbeke's will go 4-5,000 hours if taken care of. Northern Lights can go 20,000 hours if used all the time.

Intent upon moving to live on a boat in the east Mediterranean I am opting for a motor-sailer boat, that I didn't find yet.
I need to narrow my search or I'll never be able to find what I'm looking for.
Any thoughts and informed opinions and reccommendations about the prospect of living aboard an Island Trader 46 ( built by Marine Trader in Taiwan) would be highly appreciated.
Or would you suggest something else? Why?
Thanks to one and all that would take the time to reply.