I am looking at the new westerbeke MVP3 3 kw generator for my boat. Anyone have any experience with this model? It is gas, 14X24X14, 165 lbs., sells for $3995. Thanks...

I have owned several diesel WBekes. Good reliable, simple equipment.

No experience on the model you speak of.

No experience with their gas engines, but I used to work for a company that built life boats and they used Westerbeke diesels in all but one model.

We have an 8 kw diesel Westerbeke in our boat with over 500 hours on it, no problems so far.

I've got 1900 hours on a BT8D diesel Westerbeke.

Change lube and all filters every 250 hours. Retorque heads and adjust valve lash every 500 hours. Retimed the injectors and disassembled and cleaned the heat exchanger, and replaced the glycol mix at 1200 hours.

Other than water pump impellers, all I've done was to replace the coolant recovery tank hose (was being rubbed on by a shifter cable). I expect that I'll put a belt on it this year...

Burns about 9 gallons a day. Was a little loud (exhaust) till I added a Vetus muffler after the NaquaLift.

They tell me I will need to think about replacing the bearing on the far end of the armature housing at 2500 hours (which will require hauling the boat and removing one of the exhaust systems off one of the Caterpillars).

I expect 4000 hours out of it before it needs "serious" attention.