Petrol to Diesel conversion

[matdun]

I am a Sealine S28 owner with 2 x Volvo Penta 4.3 GI petrol engines. The boat is based on the West Coast of Scotland which restricts our sailing due to non availability of marina petrol pumps in the vicinity. Does anyone know of a petrol to diesel conversion and if so, pros and cons including approximate costs for carrying this work out? Either we live with the petrol boat in a restricted area or we do some sort of conversion to diesel. Either that or we sell!

Any advice welcome.

Thanks

 

[brianrunyard]

Have a word with Lancing Marine, They will advise on suitable engines, price etc.

 

[tamarind]

The Volvo KAD32's would suit very well if you can get hold of any. The D3's are the replacement. The value of the boat will go up drematically and alot more saleable.

 

[derekh]

Three years ago I threw out my petrol engines and installed twin kad 32's. 28 ft sunseeker. Best cash I ever spent. reduced fuel costs from £80 per hour to £8 per hour. I am based in Coleraine and have made several trips to your neck of the woods. I have said it loads of times before on this forum- "Don't waste time thinking about it just do it"

 

[mobione]

Derekh - how much did it cost you?

 

[AdeOlly]

Before going down the conversion route, it'd be worth seeing if you can part ex your boat against a dealer S28 with KAD32s. I suspect the cost to change could well be less than the cost of replacing your 4.3s with D3s or whatever which I can't see leaving you with change from £20k, even allowing for a part ex value of current engines & drives.

As I found out with my old Sealine 215 when the V8 broke, used petrol engines have very little value; the outdrives, which will have the wrong gearing for diesels, will be worth more than the engines, but still not a lot. Suppose if they're fairly new they may be worth a bit more, but the only petrol engines fitted to boats are to replace broken units so limited demand and low value.

Lancing Marine as already said def. worth a call.

 

[derekh]

The approx cost and savings were as follows.
boat was purchased at around £20,000
three years troubled boating cost £13,000 getting only 30 hrs per year with fuel costing £80 per hour plus several catastrophic breakdowns.
I tried to sell the boat but petrol scared every enquiry away. Invested £22,000 in a twin kad32 upgrade with ss props etc included.I sold old engines for £3000 which I removed from the boat myself to save a few £'s.
I am averaging 110 hours per year over the last three years, which on fuel alone has saved £72 per hour (A saving of £23,760) diesels @ £8 per hour. servicing works out @ £1000 per year and boat is now worth £35000 approx. If anyone wishes to see exact figures which I have kept a full record of please pm me and I will compile an exact costings. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[pentane]

Hi
Have sent you a PM (private message)
Login and click the little flashing flag thingy just down from the top of the page, left hand side
Cheers
Tim

 

[ari]

[ QUOTE ]
Before going down the conversion route, it'd be worth seeing if you can part ex your boat against a dealer S28 with KAD32s.

[/ QUOTE ]

I find it very unlikely that a dealer would part exchange a stock Sealine 28 with KAD 32's for one with petrols, which would you rather have to sell? If they do it'll be a deal very much on their terms which will cost dearly.

However I do agree, selling and buying one that already has diesels is probably the cheapest and easiest way forward.

I'd be extremely wary about a Lancing Marine repower as a S28 with non original engines would be worth massively massively less come resale. If you're going to re-engine, stick to engines that Sealine would have fitted (KAD 32's probably) or prepare to be punished severely on resale.

 

[KevB]

I know someone who has recently re engined his targa 27 from 2 x old diesels to 2 x new Volvo D3 190's total cost is around 28k inc removing old engines, new controls and instraments and any work required on the transom. Deduct from the 28k anything you can get for your old engines.

 

[Nautorius]

Hi Matdun,

My opinion is sell it, take the hit and upgrade to an S34. An S28 with Petrols will sell, often to 'Weekenders' or people with young families who can only do small trips. Alternatively it will sell where people use them as floating caravans, (put lots of DVD/Tv LCD's in and a PS2) Windermere, Thames or even Loch Lomond. The point is if you sell privately you will have to take a hit because petrols have a much more limited Market and the current price per litre has dropped the resale value even more. I am in the same position, have a same sized Regal with same engines, and therefore fuel consumption. I am selling and moving bigger and to Diesels. I have placed it on the Thames as it has more chance to sell as a floating caravan. It will also limit my Petrol bill (although I do 70hrs a year). The alternative is to PX it for a much newer S28 at a Sealine dealer or PX it at Essex Boatyards who will give you a fair price.

I have never considered re-engining it because of the time, hasle and expense. If you add 30k to my boat I am nearly in S34 territory and that is how I would prefer to spend my money. An S28 is realy to new to re-engine.....and it would not make economical sense in my opinion.

When I want to cruise new ground ie. Solent I will truck it down for 3/4 weeks if I still have it. That is a lot cheaper than Petrol, even if it is not as much fun.

Let us know what you decide,

Paul