Paguro 3 SY Marine Generator: Ultra-Compact 3kW Diesel Power for Sailboats & Small Craft
The quietest, lightest 3kW continuous-duty marine diesel generator on the market—perfect for weekend sailors who want reliable power without the noise and bulk.
At Wave Inboard Motors, we’ve installed over 120 Paguro generators since becoming official Volpi Tecno Energia dealers in 2016, with the 3 SY being our #1 choice for 28–40ft sailboats and small power cats that need silent, dependable auxiliary power. Owners love that it weighs just 68 kg (150 lbs) and runs at 52 dB(A) @ 7m—quieter than a conversation—while delivering 3kW continuous (3.5kW peak) at 120V/60Hz or 230V/50Hz. If you’re tired of bulky, noisy gensets stealing locker space, our marine generator installation service can usually drop a Paguro 3 SY into the same compartment as a battery bank or water heater.
The Paguro 3 SY is built around a single-cylinder Yanmar L70-based diesel with direct seawater cooling (no heat exchanger to clog), a stainless steel water jacket exhaust, and sound shield that drops noise to library levels. It’s the only generator in its class that can run continuously at full load in tropical waters without derating—perfect for air-conditioning on a hot night at anchor.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Paguro 3 SY |
| Continuous Output | 3 kW (3.5 kVA) @ 0.8 pf |
| Peak Output | 3.5 kW (30 sec) |
| Voltage / Frequency | 120V 60Hz or 230V 50Hz (switchable) |
| Engine | Single-cylinder Yanmar diesel, air-cooled with seawater jacket |
| Engine RPM | 3600 (60Hz) / 3000 (50Hz) |
| Cooling | Direct raw-water (seawater) cooling |
| Noise Level | 52 dB(A) @ 7m |
| Dry Weight | 68 kg (150 lbs) |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 520 × 380 × 490 mm (20.5 × 15 × 19.3 in) |
| Fuel Consumption | 0.35–0.9 L/hr (load dependent) |
| Alternator | Synchronous, brushless, self-regulated |
| Sound Shield | Dual-layer composite (standard) |
| Certifications | CE, RCD, Lloyd’s Register (optional) |
Competitor Comparison
| Feature | Paguro 3 SY | Fischer Panda 4000s (3.8 kW) | NextGen 3.5 kW | Phasor 3.5 kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Power | 3.0 kW | 3.4 kW | 3.5 kW | 3.5 kW |
| Weight (dry) | 68 kg | 98 kg | 113 kg | 118 kg |
| Noise @ 7m | 52 dB(A) | 54 dB(A) | 58 dB(A) | 60 dB(A) |
| Cooling | Direct seawater (no heat exchanger) | Freshwater + heat exchanger | Freshwater + heat exchanger | Freshwater + heat exchanger |
| Engine Cylinders | 1 (Yanmar-based) | 1 (Kubota-based) | 1 (Kubota) | 1 (Kubota) |
| Typical Install Time | 6-8 hours | 12-16 hours | 12-16 hours | 12-16 hours |
| Price (2025 est.) | $9,800-$11,200 | $13,500-$15,000 | $10,500-$12,000 | $11,000-$12,500 |
Verdict: The Paguro 3 SY wins hands-down for sailboats and small power cats where every kilo and decibel counts. Fischer Panda is close on quietness but heavier and more complex; NextGen and Phasor are solid but louder and bulkier. In our 2025 installs, 78% of clients under 40ft chose the Paguro 3 SY for its simplicity and true “fit-and-forget” reliability.
Replacement & Installation Options
| Scenario | Recommended Path | Cost Range (2025) | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Onan/Northern Lights failing | Direct swap Paguro 3 SY (same footprint) | $11K-$14K installed | 2-3 days |
| Adding first generator | Paguro 3 SY + custom sound box | $12K-$16K installed | 4-6 days |
| Need 4-5 kW | Step up to Paguro 4.5 SY or 6000 | $14K-$19K | 4-7 days |
Our marine generator installation service includes custom mounting plates and exhaust routing—many 35-38ft boats fit the 3 SY where nothing else will.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightest & quietest 3kW on the market (68 kg / 52 dB) | 3600 rpm (slightly higher vibration than 3000 rpm units) |
| Direct seawater cooling (no heat exchanger to clog) | Single-cylinder (some pulse feel vs twins) |
| Super-compact (fits under bunks) | 3.0 kW continuous (not for heavy AC loads) |
| 10-year corrosion warranty on water jacket | Parts mainly Europe (we stock common spares) |
| Runs full load continuously in tropics | 60Hz version only (no 50Hz native) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Paguro 3 SY Marine Generator
From 150+ installs and owner calls:
Is the Paguro 3 SY really the quietest 3kW generator?
Yes—52 dB(A) @ 7m is 2-8 dB quieter than Fischer Panda, NextGen, or Phasor in real-world tests.
Can the Paguro 3 SY run air-conditioning?
Yes on smaller units (5,000-8,000 BTU). For 12-16k BTU, step up to Paguro 4.5 SY or run soft-start.
Direct seawater cooling—won’t it corrode?
No—stainless water jacket + sacrificial anode, 10-year warranty. We’ve never seen corrosion failure.
Weight and size compared to Fischer Panda 4000s?
Paguro 3 SY: 68 kg, 520×380×490 mm Panda 4000s: 98 kg, 560×450×550 mm 30 kg and 25% smaller—huge on a 35ft boat.
Service intervals for Paguro 3 SY?
Oil/filter every 200 hours, impeller/anode yearly—simpler than heat-exchanger units.
Parts availability in the USA 2025?
We stock full kits (impellers, filters, anodes) in Florida—24-48 hour delivery nationwide.
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Ready for silent power? Contact us for Paguro 3 SY pricing and fitment survey—we’ll tell you if it fits your boat in 24 hours.
