Small boats see the light - Hottips and News

Boat/US Magazine, May, 2003 by Scott Croft

There's a trend in small boats that's causing problems for their owners -- lack of electricity on the hook.

"Boaters want a home away from home for the whole family. Builders have responded by piling their boats with TVs, VCRs, microwaves, refrigerators and A/C. Just like camping, we don't use pup tents anymore," says Tom Sutherland of Westerbeke Corporation.

When planning to anchor out for the night, Sutherland contends that carrying heavy battery banks or running the engine is impractical. "And alternators on outboards may not be up to the task, either."

Sutherland should know what he's talking about. His gas powered Westerbeke [MVP.sup.3], a 2,200-rpm, EPA and CARB compliant 3kW generator -- said to be the industry's smallest -- just picked up an NMMA 2003 Innovation Award at the Miami Boat Show.

Now if someone could only explain its "utility-grade sine wave" to me.

For more information, visit westerbeke.com.