CHOOSING A GENERATOR

Bruce Jacobs and our partners at Rubicon 3 Sailing explain how to determine the best type and size of genset for your yacht and needs

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It wasn't long ago that even ambitious cruising yachts had only the bare minimum in electrical systems. Navigation lights, a VHF radio, perhaps an electric windlass and a single GPS plotter were about as sophisticated as things got. Power demands were modest, and we managed with a decent-sized battery bank, topped up now and then by the engine alternator.

Modern cruisers are a different story. Today's yachts are expected to run fridges, freezers, laptops, and autopilots as standard. These place a heavy drain on the house battery bank. Add in watermakers, air conditioning, or even induction hobs, and you're into the realm of AC power demands as well. This is where a generator can become essential. Not only can it keep your batteries charged without prolonged engine use, it also powers those high-demand systems that require 230V or 110V AC.

Choosing a generator, however, is not something many yacht owners will have done before. At Rubicon 3, our vessels operate year-round, from the icy seas of Greenland and Svalbard to the Caribbean's sweltering humidity. In between are many ocean crossings and many nights at anchor, with our crews relying on their generator for power, heat, refrigeration, desalination, and more. It means our yachts need a generator that can handle variable loads smoothly, work hard every day in a commercial environment, and above all, remain reliable.