I have a Bavaria 44 and we increasingly want to spend weekends or longer at anchor rather than in busy marinas. Power is a problem and in particular lack of hot water. I was therefore thinking about taking a portable generator probably a Honda EU10i or EU20i and leading the power line from the generator to the boats shore power socket. I have looked at the boats manuals but can't find a power rating for the electric water heater. Can anyone advise me on the power of the generator I would need and if it is a good idea.

Thanks, David

Hi David and welcome to the forum

Most water heater immersion heaters seem to be about 1Kw or less, the rating should be written on the name plate of the unit, you will need to look at it.

If you want to use the heater, you need to consider the EU20i unit as the EU1i may just about run the heater but nothing else.

Cheers

Chas

Having done a big rebuild job on my boat a few years ago, when she was on a mooring (grinding out old chain plates and fitting a new part bulkhead etc), I can vouch this works fine, but the noise from most portable generators will drive you and any neighbours nuts!

I ended up putting the generator in a dinghy and letting it hand away from the boat as far as my extension lead would allow.

It appears that when on the water noise seems to be magnified and travels further than on the land, also their is a lack of background noise - I guess this is one reason we all like being afloat so much!

I think you'll find a calourifier on your exhaust will produce plently of hot water, you could also take a look at these black shower water containers, even on a comparitively cloudy day they make water surprisingly hot.

Hi,

Many thanks to you both, your advice is greatly appreciated. Also impressed with the forum generally - I will be back!

 Cheers

David

My boat posseses a calorifier which runs through the indirect cooling system-the small insulated cylinder has a standard fitting  for a mains immersion but never been fitted.Estimate that once my 40hp engine is up to operating temp of 70 deg.c there is probably enough water in tank for a warm shower.After an average run into harbour/mooring of say 30 mins.the whole tank is at 70 deg.and provides thru cold mixer two showers plus enough hot water to wash pots and warm water the following morning.

Alternative to calorifier is balanced flue /sealed flu multipoint gas heater so long as you have a suitable cabin/deck side/top to mount the flue.

The very expensive option is one of the diesel powered water/central heating units-Webasto/Eberspacher- there is a stand alone water heater at about £500 up to  £1000 for full blown central heating.

Phil