diesel engine advice

[Farmer Piles]

Interesting that the D4 is designed by Deutz. Deutz engines are used extensively in agriculture and very well regarded for build quality and punch.

 

[adhdan]

so turns out the boat with the mercury engine is over the tow limit, would be around 3.8t fuelled up inc the trailer so that rules that one out for me anyway. Ive seen diesel outboards are becoming more of a 'thing', if they come down in price and i wanted to change a petrol OB for diesel OB would it be as simple as flush the onboard tank change the filters & fill with diesel?

 

[simonfraser]

you'd have to do a lot of hours

 

[dsw]

Hi, new to forum so you can answer my dumbass questions

Looking at a couple used boats, quite fancy a diesel inboard over a petrol outboard to save on fuel

One boat that takes my fancy has a mercury 2.8l qsd 220hp with bravo 3 outdrive,

The other boat has a volvo d4 225hp penta

The boat with the mercury is to use a term very loosely 'cheap' im wondering if its because of the engine

Anyone have experience with the above engines, maintenance, parts availability, what i should look out for
Thanks
Dan

if your looking for a boat with an inboard then shaft only as you will regret getting one with a outdrive
unless of course you are only going to use the boat in total fresh water.

 

[adhdan]

you'd have to do a lot of hours

its more then just the cost of fuel, i dont like the thought of 250litres of petrol on board should a fire electrical or otherwise happen its going to be a big bang...not sure how likely that is to happen but at least with diesel im not a floating bomb with my kids on board . And if i don't use the boat for 5/6 months over winter the petrol will degrade and ive got no other use for it but diesel i can leave the tank full or siphon it out into a tractor .

 

[adhdan]

if your looking for a boat with an inboard then shaft only as you will regret getting one with a outdrive
unless of course you are only going to use the boat in total fresh water.

If its shaft can you steer in reverse using the bow thruster? I use reverse steering quite a bit with my current outboard boat. If you have shaft and get something wrapped around the prop i assume you have to go swimming to clear it?