Westerbeke 5KW Generator

AG3

Active member
Joined
Aug 11, 2024
Messages
43
Fluid Motion Model
R-27 (Outboard)
Friends:

I am looking at a 2020 Ranger 27 OB with a Westerbeke 5KW generator. In other threads on the Tugnuts site, I have read from some owners who have complaints about this generator in terms of reliability, difficulty performing maintenance, etc. I've also read on the Westerbeke site that this generator requires 89 octane fuel. Is this true?

On my current boat I can change fuel and oil filters, belts, impeller, winterize, etc. without any difficulty.

I hope to hear replies from those who are HAPPY with this generator. Can you service it yourself? Is it easy or difficult? Is it reliable? Does it bring batteries back to a full charge? If you had it to do again, would you buy a Ranger 27 OB with Westerbeke generator, or opt for something simpler like a small portable Honda generator? Thanks in advance for your replies.
 
We have a 2020 27ob and it has a 3.5 kw Westerbeke. I do my own maintenance and the access is excellent by boat standards.

Very smooth and quiet operation, only bug is that it's very sensitive to starting battery voltage, we usually start the outboard motor for a minute or so while we start the generator.

We are currently in the last 2 weeks of our annual 6 week BC vacation and will not be on shore power except for 2 nights in Nanaimo for weather.

Love the genny.
 
We have a 2020 27ob and it has a 3.5 kw Westerbeke. I do my own maintenance and the access is excellent by boat standards.

Very smooth and quiet operation, only bug is that it's very sensitive to starting battery voltage, we usually start the outboard motor for a minute or so while we start the generator.

We are currently in the last 2 weeks of our annual 6 week BC vacation and will not be on shore power except for 2 nights in Nanaimo for weather.

Love the genny.
Hi Scott: Thanks so much for your reply.
 
Since you asked for HAPPY replies, I'll say absolutely nothing about mine.
 
Since you asked for HAPPY replies, I'll say absolutely nothing about mine.
I think I read your comments on a different thread and was thinking of you and others who had less than ideal things to say about that generator!
 
Objectively, if you can fit into the bilge, you can service the westerbeke. I do my own maintenance and it's pretty straightforward. However, you have to remember it's a fuel injected lawnmower engine with a computer, so when it acts up, it's a pain to troubleshoot. Westerbeke uses mass produced auto sensors, which don't like the heat and moisture of a bilge, so when they act up it's not always easy to pinpoint the culprit.
 
Both heat sensors failed when I had about 20 total hours of use. The exhaust sensor broke in two and was somewhat reasonable to change given you have right angle screwdrivers and can work blind (see first photo). The coolant sensor couldn't be found by Westerbeke's distributor, despite both of us having multiple diagrams showing where it should be. The factory then sent me a picture, attached, showing it behind wiring harnesses and several other parts that need to be removed in order to access it. IMG_3377.jpegimage001.pngIMG_3401.jpeg
 
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