7 Best Portable Generators for Boats (Reviews+Guide)
Are you looking for the best portable generators for boats? You’ve come to the right place!
In this post, we’ll look at some of the top-rated generators on the market and break down what makes them so great.
Whether you’re looking for a small generator to power your trolling motor or a larger unit to run your entire boat, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll also provide you with a few tips on how to choose the right generator for your needs.
So, if you need the new best portable generator for your boat, be sure to read on and find the perfect generator for your needs!
At a Glance:
- Best Portable Generator for Boat: Honda EU2200i 2200Watt
- Best Portable Generator on Boat: Generac 7129 GP3000i Generator
- Best Portable Generator for a Boat: WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Generator
- Best Small Diesel Generator for Boat: Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator
- Best Diesel Generator for Boat: Champion 200961 2500-Watt
- Best Portable Generators for Boats: YAMAHA EF2200iS Generator
- Best Generator for Boats: Briggs & Stratton P2400 Generator
Best Portable Generators for Boats Comparison
| Preview | Product | Type | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Honda EU2200i 2200Watt | Best Portable Generator for Boat | 4.5 | Check Price |
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Generac 7129 GP3000i Generator | Best Portable Generator on Boat | 4.6 | Check Price |
 |
WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Generator | Best Portable Generator for a Boat | 4.5 | Check Price |
 |
Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator | Best Small Diesel Generator for Boat | 4.6 | Check Price |
 |
Champion 200961 2500-Watt | Best Diesel Generator for Boat | 4.6 | Check Price |
 |
YAMAHA EF2200iS Generator | Best Portable Generators for Boats | 4.6 | Check Price |
 |
Briggs & Stratton P2400 Generator | Best Generator for Boats | 4.6 | Check Price |
Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt
Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt is one of the best generators.
If you are an owner of a boat, then this is the best portable generator that you can buy to use on your boat.
It has different features that make it unique from other generators available in the market.
Design & Portability
EU2200i is a superpower output, and its quiet performance makes it the best generator.
The power rating of this beast is 2200 watts, and its running rating is also very good, 1800Watts.
It provides 9 hours of constant run time with 1 gallon of gas. It has some other useful features like an eco-throttle switch, etc.
The fuel capacity of this generator is very less. It can carry only 1 gallon of fuel. It has a quiet noise level of 47-57 dB (A).
Its engine is powered by Honda GXR120 4-stroke engine that will give a long life service. The weight of this generator is only 46.5 pounds.
The runtime of this portable generator is 9 hours on a 1/4 load and 17.5 hours on a 25% load.
Honda EU2200i has overload protection, a low oil shutdown system, and several outlets to use for various appliances.
The power outlets are 120V 20A, two 120V 15A, and 12V 6A. The low oil alert will tell you when to add oil to the engine. It has a fuel shutoff switch and parallels capable outlets, etc.
Its ventilation system is very well, which keeps the internal components cool. It gives you a 3-year of warranty for your peace of mind.
You can run your refrigerator with this super quiet generator. It has an Eco throttle switch that will give you maximum economy of fuel without compromising power.
Why Should You Buy it?
The Honda EU2200i 2200-watt portable generator is very easy to use, and it does not need any maintenance.
You can run this machine for long hours without any problem. It is ideal for tailgate parties, fishing trips, camping trips, or RV power on the road.
It has some other features that make it different from other generators available in the market.
It’s the best portable inverter generator for the money.
You can buy this generator for your boat to eliminate noise during fishing trips.
Generac 7129 GP3000i Inverter Generator
Generac 7129 GP3000i Inverter Generator is a great choice for those who need a powerful yet quiet generator.
The machine runs quietly and is 59.5 pounds which makes it very easy to transport from one place to another.
Design & Portability
Superb power output combined with the low noise level, fuel efficiency, and light 59.5 pounds design makes the GP3000i one of the best inverter generators available on the market today.
It is the most affordably priced inverter generator.
Generac 7129 gives a power output of 3000 watts, It will run up to six hours at half load.
The GP3000i is very easy to start because of the electric start feature. It comes with three outlets: 1-120V 20A RV outlet, 1-120V 30A twist lock outlet, 2 USB ports.
Its engine is equipped with a high-performance 149cc 4-stroke single-cylinder OHV engine, which is capable of producing up to 3,000 starting watts and 2,700 running watts.
The capacity of the fuel tank is 1.06 gallons, and it has a fuel capacity of 4.3 gallons which gives the generator up to six hours of runtime at 25% load.
The noise level is at 55 dB (A) at a load of 25%. It is easy to transport the machine from one place to another.
The parallel ability of the Generac GP3000i. You can use up to another unit to double its power output. In this mode, one generator operates as the primary source while the other is the backup.
The GP3000i comes with a 3-year limited residential warranty and a 1-year limited commercial warranty.
Why Should You Buy it?
With all its features, Generac 7129 GP3000i is the perfect choice for powering up your home essentials in case of a power outage or during fishing, camping, or tailgating.
You can rely on it to produce clean and quiet energy in any situation.
WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Generator, CARB Compliant
WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator, CARB Compliant, is an exceptional generator to run your offices, homes, and boats. Particularly, the generator is made to enlighten your house needs when you are not hooked to a landline supply line.
Design & Portability
It is a less powerful generator ideal for small day-to-day ship needs.
Also, the generator can easily handle sensitive electronics with less than a 1.2% THD rating.
WEN 56200i’s engine power is a 79.7cc 4-stroke OHV engine which gives a good performance.
The runtime of the WEN 56200i 2000-Watt generator is 6 hours at 50% load because of its eco-mode. The operational sound of this machine is between 50 and 55 dB (A).
If we focus on its power outlets, we have two 120V household outlets, one 12V Dc outlet, and a USB port. Also, there is an engine switch, eco-mode switch, and parallel operation outlets.
Moreover, three light indicators indicate overload, output ready, and low oil. The weight of this machine is only 48 pounds.
It comes with a 2-year limited warranty. WEN 56200i is parallels capable. You can link another generator with the help of the WEN 56421 parallel kit.
Why Should You Buy it?
WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator, CARB Compliant, is a good generator to run your offices, homes, boats, and 1-day trips.
Particularly, the generator is made to enlighten your house needs when you are not hooked to a landline supply line.
Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator
Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator is a powerful generator that has 4,000 starting watts and 3,300 running watts.
It’s a dual-handle system which makes it easier to carry with two people. There is an optional wheel kit as well, which may make sense for a boat.
Design & Portability
This generator has a 4-stroke OHV 4-valve motor with a 169cc engine.
It is a very fuel-efficient generator since it only takes 1 gallon of gasoline per hour.
Durostar DS4000 is a little bit loud and has 69 dBA. But it is not as loud as some other generators on this list.
There are 2 120-volt household outlets and 1 120-volt 30-amp twist lock outlet on the power panel, which makes it compatible with most applications.
All three outlets have a circuit breaker protection system that will stop the unit from receiving electricity if the outlets become overloaded.
It also includes a voltmeter for measuring voltage output. This is a very powerful generator that has 4,000 starting watts and 3,300 running watts.
Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator comes with a 2-year warranty for parts and labor.
The GFCI outlets protect people using electrical devices against fatal electric shocks by detecting any difference between the current in the hotline and the neutral line of a standard household electrical system.
If there is a difference, it automatically interrupts power to the appliance until you reset it.
The fuel gauge provides an accurate indication of how much gas is left in your tank.
The fuel shut-off allows you to completely shut down the engine as well as stop the flow of gasoline into the carburetor to end your job and conserve fuel for later use.
Why Should You But it?
Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator is a powerful generator that is a good option for people looking for a powerful machine at a good price.
The power inverter is designed to provide cleaner, more reliable power for machines with delicate electrical components, such as TVs, stereos, microwaves, and computers.
It has many great customer reviews on Amazon and is available on eBay as well.
Champion Power Equipment 200961 2500-Watt
Champion Power Equipment 200961 2500-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Ultralight is another champion.
This is from the house of a famous brand Champion Power Equipment which provides inverter generators within a budget price.
Design & Portability
It is a multipurpose machine and can be used for different purposes in case of an electricity outage.
The lightweight design makes it easy to move generators to any job site. it can run up to 11 hours with a 25 percent load capacity of gasoline.
Its cold start technology ensures the generator starts up in a short time in winter.
Champion Power Equipment 4-Stroke Ultralight 3400 Watt Portable Inverter Generator, Model# 200961, comes with a 179cc Champion single-cylinder OHV engine that delivers 1565 watts of power through a 120-volt, 60-Hertz outlet.
This inverter generator can produce 1850 watts of continuous power and 2500 starting watts to meet electricity needs.
Champion 200961 2500-Watt has dual fuel capabilities, i.e., gasoline and Propane. It also has the feature of an eco mode which it saves your power, and gas consumption is less when compared to other generators.
In addition to all these, it includes a 3-year limited warranty with FREE lifetime technical support for your convenience.
Why Should You Buy it?
This Champion Power Equipment 200961 2500-Watt generator is best for emergency use.
It is a powerful machine that can run almost everything you need during power loss.
If you are looking for a generator within your budget, then this is the best option.
It has many positive reviews from its users, which you will find online.
YAMAHA EF2200iS Inverter Generator, 2200 Watts
If you are looking for a robust generator with a limited budget, YAMAHA EF2200iS Inverter Generator, 2200 Watts, is the most popular small generator on the market.
This Yamaha 2200-watt inverter generator is the quietest generator available by far; it comes with an RV outlet or just standard 120V output that can go into any building if you need power for your house during outages.
Design & Portability
Yamaha EF2200iS features Super Quiet muffler technology, which is cutting-edge noise reduction technology.
It has a multi-function led display that shows you the power output, hours, and other useful information.
The EF2200iS generator runs at 52 dba, which is about as quiet as a normal conversation. YAMAHA EF2200iS costs around $700 to $1000.
It has a fuel tender connection option that allows you to maintain your gas-powered equipment from a 1-gallon gas can.
The engine hour meter is built into the control panel so you can monitor engine hours from inside your RV, camper, or boat.
It’s EPA-compliant without the need for an exhaust muffler or spark arrester.
Its Carb Compliant version is available for sale in all 50 states (CARB Compliant models meet California Air Resources Board exhaust emission standards).
YAMAHA EF2200iS can run up to 10.5 hours on a single 4-gallon tank of gasoline (indicating that the average user will probably never need to refuel during a power outage).
Why Should You Buy it?
YAMAHA EF2200iS 2200w is the best-selling and number-one-selling generator in the world.
It has been rated as the best generator by most of the top review websites. It is a perfect choice for anyone who wants to buy a powerful small quiet generator on a budget.
It can be used for the whole house, small buildings, hurricanes, trips, tailgating, camping, fishing, and boats.
Briggs & Stratton P2400 Generator
Briggs & Stratton P2400 PowerSmart Series Inverter Generator with Quiet Power Technology and CO Guard, 2400 Starting Watts 1800 Running Watts is a very fuel-efficient generator.
It is a lightweight and also portable device which you can carry anywhere with ease. The lower weight of the machine makes it very easy to handle.
Design & Portability
Its engine is fuel-efficient, and new technology has been used in it that makes the machine quiet while running.
The starting watts of 2200 of this machine are too high. The running watts of this generator is 1700w.
Briggs & Stratton P2400 has a noise level of 59 dB which is a little high.
The fuel tank capacity of this machine is 1.1 gallons, and it has a run time of up to 10 hours with a 25% load capacity which is pretty low.
There are two AC outlets with 120 volts and one DC outlet having 12 volts. It also has a USB adapter to power up your devices via USB.
Briggs & Stratton P2400 comes with parallel capability, and if you connect another machine to it, you can get double output. Its weight is 55 pounds which is pretty good.
The starting system of the machine is the recoil start system which is easy to start.
It comes with a control panel that has LED lights for power output, overload, and low oil indicators.
It comes with a limited warranty of two years.
Why Should You Buy it?
Briggs & Stratton P2400 Generator is one of the best generators available in the market.
It provides you with great power output, is lightweight, and is also easy to use generator.
How to Prepare a Portable Generator for a Boat?
Portable generators have been a very important part of many homes and businesses, but they can also be used for boats.
This will allow you to use the power of your boat without having to rely on shore power or running out of fuel.
Let’s discuss how to prepare your portable boat generator. Follow these for safe operations and best fishing trips, follow these steps:
- Clean and inspect the generator.
- Connect the battery and connect the power cord.
- Make sure the oil level is correct.
- Add gasoline
- Plug-in electric starter
- Pull rope
- Verify spark plug
- Turn on engine
- Add one or two tablespoons of oil to the engine.
- Check the oil level.
- Stop the engine
- Unplug electric starter
- Turn off the fuel valve
- Disconnect battery
- Move generator
1 – Clean and inspect the generator: The first thing that you need to do is clean and inspect your generator for any problems.
Ensure that the plug is clean and that no oil or gas is spilled anywhere.
2 – Connect the battery and connect the power cord: Once you have done this, connect the battery and plug in the power cord.
Make sure that the outlets are ready to use and that nothing is blocking them.
3 – Make sure the oil level is correct: After doing this, make sure that the generator has the right amount of oil in it.
You can do this by following the instructions in your manual.
4 – Add gasoline: Once you have completed these steps, add gasoline to the generator.
You may need to use a funnel if there is not an easy way for it to get into the generator.
5 – Plug-in electric starter: After filling up the tank with gas, plug in the electric starter to the generator.
6 – Pull rope: Pull the cord on top of your generator. Make sure that you do this slowly and wait a few seconds each time before pulling it out.
7 – Verify spark plug: Once you have done this, look for a small spark plug under the cover. If the engine starts, you should see a small blue spark under here.
8 – Turn on the engine: Once you have verified that this is working properly, turn on your generator and allow it to warm up for about five minutes.
9 – Add one or two tablespoons of oil to the engine.: After waiting for 5 minutes, add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to the generator.
Turn off the engine and wait for 30 seconds before restarting it.
You should see a small pool of oil in the bottom of your generator if you use one tablespoon, but if you choose to use two tablespoons, you might not notice this happen.
10 – Check oil level: Once this is done, turn off the generator and wait 30 seconds. Look at the oil level in your generator to make sure you have enough.
11 – Stop the engine: After doing this, turn off your engine completely.
12- Unplug the electric starter: Once you are done with this, unplug your electric cord from the back of the generator.
You can either do this by pulling it out or unplugging the cord itself.
13- Turn off the fuel valve: Now, make sure that your gas is turned off, and nothing is open at all except for the choke (if there is one).
If you have an electric generator, then just turn it off completely.
14- Disconnect battery: Once you have done this, disconnect your battery from the terminal.
15- Move the generator to where it will be used: After doing all of these steps, find a good spot for your generator and place it on a flat surface.
You can do this in a garage or outside if there is a good place to put it.
Ensure that nothing is blocking the generator and that it is not in the way of other objects.
Safety Measure while using a boat generator
The starting and running components of a gas-powered boat generator are the same as those found in any gasoline engine.
Refer to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to check and change the oil, and install spark plugs and hydraulic belts.
Then follow these safety tips:
- Make sure that no combustible materials — such as rags, gasoline, or paint thinner — are in the area.
- Always disconnect the shore power cord before starting the engine.
- Keep an approved fire extinguisher, Class B-rated gas can, and extra fuel on hand when fueling.
- Position your generator so that exhaust fumes vent away from living spaces. Note: On boats with enclosed cabins, it is often necessary to install an after-market venting system.
- If the generator’s installation requires running wires under the floor or through a wall, make sure that the wiring is installed correctly and in compliance with local electrical codes.
- Do not store gasoline containers on your boat while you are sleeping there.
- Never run a generator on board your boat while you are sleeping. Please note: Allowing the exhaust to vent into an enclosed cabin violates EPA emission standards and can be hazardous; some states prohibit this practice. If you choose to use a generator in such a way, make sure there is adequate ventilation or that the unit has an approved carbon monoxide monitor.
- Install a carbon monoxide monitor, and never use a generator in an enclosed area without adequate ventilation. In addition to using generators carefully on board your boat, be safe everywhere else: Never operate gasoline-powered equipment or tools near an open flame or while smoking.
Final Verdict
RV and boat owners, like most other people, want to be prepared at all times for any emergency.
With a generator onboard, you can enjoy the boat trip to your heart’s content.
You’ll be able to cook better and sleep better with an ample supply of power for all your appliances.
All of these generators offer peace of mind and also help save money since they don’t require refueling!
These best portable generators for boat use will be able to provide all the power you need for your family boat trips now and in years to come!
If you’re looking for a high-quality generator that will last through many trips out at sea, look no further than our review above.
FAQs: Best Portable Generators for Boat
What is the best place to install the portable generator on a boat?
The best place to install a generator in the boat is in the engine compartment because it’s protected from rain and spray.
Installing a permanent generator on your boat can be dangerous and unhealthy.
You should keep it in dry locking when not running, but you may want to install one if there’s no other place for storage or protection from weather conditions like spray!
Make sure that the location will avoid filling up with smoke – stay away from decks near cabins where people spend the most time during their day (especially kids), and windowsills inside living spaces open into exterior areas accessible at sea, like swim platforms.
These locations could become hazardous quite quickly, so make certain first before committing yourself by installing them permanently.
Do I need to ground a generator on a boat?
The short answer is no, but with some caveats. A properly designed marine generator should have its own isolated neutral so it can be used close to the metal without creating any safety issues.
That being said, grounding the generator won’t hurt anything; you just don’t have to do it.
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