How do I check the generator and fuel setup at a remote fishing lodge?

Begin with the equipment. Ask for each generator’s age, hours of use, service history and the last time it was load-tested. Look at the room it sits in, the exhaust, the wiring and the condition of fuel lines. Bring a qualified electrician or mechanic, since a visual walk-through by a buyer can miss a lot.

Next, the fuel. Where is it stored, how much does the tank hold and how is it filled? Ask about the supplier, the delivery route and what happens when weather blocks it. Ask your lawyer and insurer what inspection and storage rules apply to tanks and what documents the seller should have on hand.

Ask about backups. A lodge with one generator and no spare is exposed in the middle of a busy season. Find out whether there is a second unit, a battery bank or a plan for guests during an outage. Finally, look at the spending history. Fuel is a major running cost at a remote property, so request records of purchases and repairs and ask what the seller would replace first. Ask who on staff can start, stop and troubleshoot the equipment, and whether the manual is on site and readable by a newcomer.

Key takeaways

• Get run-hours, service logs and load-test records for each generator.
• Check tank storage, delivery routes and what happens when weather stops a delivery.
• Ask what backup power exists and who knows how to switch over.