On 2007-10-23 21:55:45 -0400, Wayne.B said:

On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:49:03 +0000 (UTC), Harald Hannelius
wrote:

That size sailboat usually has such a relatively small engine anyway,
I've often wondered why someone doesn't market a combination primary
propulsion/genset. IOW, one engine that drives both the prop and the
generator. Seems it would help with the space problem as well as
weight distribution.

Oh, like the new Yanmar-set?

http://www.yanmarmarine.com/press/ar...ist=100&id=420

That's an interesting product but you can get almost as much power
using a big alternator and an inverter. Add a large battery bank of
400 to 800 Amp Hours and you have a great deal of flexibility. It's
important to get the alternator mounted correctly: Solid mount,
properly aligned, and the right belt(s).

3 or 6 kWH would be a SUPER big alternator, and this thing's only 4"
thick and connects between the engine and transmission.... Sounds like
direct-drive off of the crankshaft, industrial strength components and
a lot of reserve power for a boat. Heck, I think I could run my house
off of that if it weren't 50 Hz. Also suspect their power measurements
are more conservative than the Honda's.

I like the idea better than two engines, one only for the generator,
particularly since I see more problems for generators than primary
engines -- probably due to their low usage.

If I ever have a boat that needs 40 or 55 hp, I believe this might be
on the list of things to consider.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/