Hi
I have a 473 and did install a 6kW NorthernLight genset on my boat. For weight distribution and many other reasons I installed it mid ship, aft of engine compartement and had woodworker make new walls on each side. This took 14 in or so from each cabin from what was in fact a recessed area of beds.
If you have further questions feel free to contact me as I don't visit this forum regularly.
Michel
michelsirois@rogers.com
i Carvis& Amilcar
Unfortunately my boat lay now at 14 hours drivetime from here. I had many photos of this whole project, but they were on a hard drive of another computer that died unexpectedly a few years ago.
I started by cutting a large area in the centreline dividing wall between the two cabins, with rounded corners and leaving a 15cm or more under the floor of cockpit. That was from Beneteaus recommandations, eventough this wall is not a supporting bulkhead.
Then had a support bracket made of SS which was thru bolted to GRP stringers and ribs of the inlay mold to the hull. Then the enclosure of my Northern Light Gen was bolted to this bracket who was then bolted to the enclosure. The enclosure was not a must but I went for it for sound barrier and I do not regret it because when the gen is running with cabin door closed and we are in the salon we barely can hear it, actually just feel a slight vibration. This slight vibration could be eliminated with rubber mount in the bracket mounting but I didn't bother cause it is so little that it doesn't bother us or any visitor inside or in the cockpit when it is running. Water intake and strainer are in main engine compartement. Exhaust goes out thru rear bulkhead and waterlift muffler is in rear lazarette. You need good air supply, and I added an air blower on the out duct. Fuel supply is teed on main engine line, but I'll spare you the details of the valving system I installed because I replaced the starboard water tank for another fuel tank (have a watermaker). Also added a Racor fuel filter/separator for the gen.
Once all this done I had a wood worker in who built walls on each side which are flush to existing side walls of engine compartement and they go to the rear bulkhead . This provides more space than needed, so aft of the genset enclosure he made cupboards with useful storage on each side. The matching of the wood grain a d finish is amazing. And finally all this finish paneling can be dismounted in a minute or two if I need to.
Unfortunately I cannot go to my boat untill June. But if you would like, when I go I could take pics and send to you. My plan is to sail it back home here in Canada this summer.
Hope this helps,
Michel
