Diesel or Petrol

[vaderalan]

I am new to boating and am looking for our first motor cruiser. Can somebody please give us some info regarding Petrol against Diesel power. Fuel usage, cost, reliability etc. Thanks. We are looking at 25 to 32 foot size boats for weekend family use.

<hr width=100% size=1>Alan & Di New to boating

 

[BrendanS]

Diesel engined boats will cost more up front, and this has to be weighed against the number of hours use you will make of the boat for cheaper diesel fuel.

Reliability of both will be the same, just as with cars, if the engines are cared for and serviced.

25' with petrol probably OK for low usage, but you'll find most boats of 32' are diesel

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[gjgm]

at 25ft plus, you ll be keeping it in the water, i guess, not trailer. There arent so many places waterside to buy petrol- so you d better check that for your intended boating location.
Otherwise, there is alot of bias one way or the other on this subject. Personally, id say 25ft plus is going to get horribly expensive ,especially if twin, on petrols. On the otherhand, there is an EU proposal for 2006 that could increase diesel fuel costs up to petrol levels, so maybe you cant win!
If you are new, bear in mind its very easy to buy a boat, and often damn hard to sell it.
There have been a few posts on the topic, but as a very wide perspective, anything up to 25pct below asking price isnt unheard of.... Dont let your heart rule your head.. well it will, but...!!

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[tcm]

Re: availability

a posibbly important issue is that diesel fuel is distinctly more widely available than petrol at quaysides. Not an issue if you go and return to same place, but could be in far flung places, may need planning etc. , and depends where you are.

pricewise tho, petrols are a load cheaper to buy.

I think i wd buy secondhand at this level - cos lots and lots of boats are for sale, either cos they were first boats and the owners doesn't like it, or cos they do like it and are trading up.

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[petem]

How much are you planning to spend on the boat and per year to run it?

Pete

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.FairlineOwnersClub.com>Fairline Owners Club</A>

 

[TonyBrooks]

Depends upon age of engine. There appear to be lots of old Ford uints about (Watermotor) that use ordinary distributor ignition systems. I doubt that these will be as reliable as a small diesel with the same degree of maintenance. I also fear for the safety of petrol units with carburettors. I havevseen many that leak petrol from the throttle spindle every time they are stopped. This is a symptom of bad maintenance, but to put it right adds to the cost of purchase. I think petrol injected units with digital ignition would be about as reliable as diesel.

Having seen the results of a petrol fire ona GRP cruiser I would always say, pay the extra and go for diesel, unless you were thinking outboard.

It is true that in 2006 we are likley to have to pay more for diesel, but remember that a diesel engine is more efficient at burning its fuel than petrol, so will normally give more hours per gallon.

Tony Brooks

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