Petrol v's Diesel. Again!

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ricky_s

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Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

Hi All,

I know this question must have been asked a million times, but I can't find a recent one now the diesel prices have changed.

Looked at two boats over the weekend.

2006 Larson 240 Cabrio with 5.0 V8 Volvo
2005 Larson 260 Cabrio with D4 Volvo

Both with the same dealer, he quoted 8 GPH for the petrol and about 5 GPH for the diesel.

He thinks the petrol would be best for me but I had decided before on the diesel.

The diesel boat is £9K more than the petrol and I will probably only do 200 hours or something per year, so does the diesel still make sense these days?

Cheers

Ricky
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

For me, the added danger of petrol answers the question.
Diesel tanks get hot but don't explode until Very hot indeed, it does not take much to have explosion on petrol tanks, plus there is a danger of fumes collecting in the bilges just as with gas. So for me there is no contest, if it is a relatively small sports boat, then maybe an option.

Mal
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

[ QUOTE ]
For me, the added danger of petrol answers the question.
Diesel tanks get hot but don't explode until Very hot indeed, it does not take much to have explosion on petrol tanks, plus there is a danger of fumes collecting in the bilges just as with gas. So for me there is no contest, if it is a relatively small sports boat, then maybe an option.

Mal

[/ QUOTE ]

Had a couple of petrol boats in the past and I am aware of the risks, the reason I wanted diesel was range/cost.

The new boats are between 24-26 feet.
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

As you say, the cost of diesel engines is greater than petrol, but the lifetime of the engine is far greater (Go on then tell me I'm wrong!) also the servicing costs will be greater on petrol as they have so much more to service. Range, well looking at your figures (8 as opposed to 5) there is almost a 70% improvement so that in itself should answer your question.

Mal
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

If your doing 200hrs a year its got to be the diesel surely? Sounds like you intend to actualy use your boat in which case petrol availbility and range make the diesel a no brainer for anybody who actulay want to go places.

If you actualy meant 20hrs or your on a river at 5knts then buy the petrol /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

[ QUOTE ]
If your doing 200hrs a year its got to be the diesel surely? Sounds like you intend to actualy use your boat in which case petrol availbility and range make the diesel a no brainer for anybody who actulay want to go places.

If you actualy meant 20hrs or your on a river at 5knts then buy the petrol /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Hopefully 200 hrs. Only had my last boat three months and did 50 hours. Will be mostly at sea at 25 kts I would imagine. :-)
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

Assuming...

£0.72 (60/40 split) per litre for diesel x 4.5 = £3.24 per gallon
200 hrs @ 5 gallons per hour = 1000 gallons x £3.24 = £3240.00


£1.15 per litre for petrol x 4.5 = £5.17 per gallon
200 hrs @ 8 gallons per hour = 1600 gallons x £5.17 = £8273.00

difference per 200 hrs £5032.00

In less then two seasons the diesel will have paid for itself and it's residual value will be higher. Diesel is safer (even if it's piece of mind) and more reliable. Diesel is more widely available.


No brainer
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

Diesel. As for all the reasons mentioned above, plus in my personal experience:

Had Sealine S255 twin petrol - bloody pain in the whatsit, lots of breakdowns due to ignition system (granted old fashioned points and condensor system..) Once did 7 hours Henley to Windsor overnight on one engine going sideways due condensor failure- never again!!

Current boat is Princess 385 - 20 year old diesels with 2500 hours on them and she never misses a beat.
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

I replaced my petrol engines about 5 years ago. no regrets whatsoever.
more torque, more efficiency, more reliability, more availability to access fuel, as Mal says cheaper service costs and the most important safety issue cannot be ignored. My boat burned 18 gall of petrol in an hour now I use 12 gall diesel per hour with tons more torque and performance.
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

I actually think the difference in amount of fuel used is even greater than being mentioned. I swapped my 5.0 ltr petrol for a Kad32 and went from 8gph average to 4gph. Now it is possible that my boating has changed, but I think if anything I am less careful now about fuel. 200hrs pa, diesel is the way to go. Plus you would be getting a bigger boat with the diesel /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also never underestimate the hassle of cruising with a petrol boat. If you plan to go anywhere, fuel becomes the be all and end all of the trip. Its availability dictates where you can go. If you plan to stay in the Solent, no problem. If you want to cruise anywhere else, petrol is not widely available.
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

Naaaah......ignore 'em. You can get petrol anywhere, Tesco, Morrisons, etc. All you need is a chain gang with Jerry cans and two or three days to get filled up, dependant on how far you have to carry the cans to the boat. If you run out of petrol because there are no filling stations off Sheerness just yell "mayday". Of course, it helps if you have a VHF set to yell into.

Failing that, go for diesel, capability via waste heat through a calorifier of oodles of hot water for SWMBO's shower, can run an Eberspacher heater when its a bit parky, MUCH more economical to run, far lower fire hazard, especially refuelling, boat holds it's price better, and you don't have to trek ashore with a trailer full of jerry cans looking for a garage forecourt.
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

200 hours? Thats an enormous number of hours on a 24ft+ boat? Thats about 5000 miles. Are you sure?!Thats America and back !
Most people manage about 50 hours.. remember thats engine underway time, not sitting at anchor etc...
Id agree that if you do 200 hours (are you an instructor?!), then diesel is the way, but if you use the boat as most people do, then , especially on 24ft, I d take the petrol. Thing is, at this price level, not too many people care to pay that diesel engine premium in the second hand market.Somewhat assumes that you have petrol available in your boating locality. On a trailer, or in the water?
But there is a difference in a 24ft and 26ft boat.. decide the boat and then look at the engine options. I wouldnt go by engine option, first...
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

Another thing to consider is that you will always be able to shift a diesel easier than a petrol, come the time you decide to sell it!
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

the way I look at it is £9000 will buy a lot of petrol (mind not as miuch as it used to)
also we dont seem to have a problem with petrol availabilty on the clyde
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

If you can afford the extra for the diesel, then it is the better option, especially as you are getting a larger boat. The price difference will most likely remain for the best part of the life of the boat, and be easier to sell on when you are ready. Running cost difference is then a bonus.!!
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

[ QUOTE ]
He thinks the petrol would be best for me but I had decided before on the diesel.



[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm... he'd rather you bought the cheaper boat from him. I wonder why..?

Diesel no question. Nothing against petrol boats, had a couple myself but the diesel boat will save you a fortune in running costs and be worth most of that £9K more still when you come to sell it.
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

[ QUOTE ]
For me, the added danger of petrol answers the question.
Diesel tanks get hot but don't explode until Very hot indeed, it does not take much to have explosion on petrol tanks , plus there is a danger of fumes collecting in the bilges just as with gas. So for me there is no contest, if it is a relatively small sports boat, then maybe an option.

Mal

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, you can't move in the Solent for petrol boats going pop every other minute on a warm day! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

Not wishing to repeat myself but the maths alone make the diesel the only choice.

£0.72 (60/40 split) per litre for diesel x 4.5 = £3.24 per gallon
200 hrs @ 5 gallons per hour = 1000 gallons x £3.24 = £3240.00


£1.15 per litre for petrol x 4.5 = £5.17 per gallon
200 hrs @ 8 gallons per hour = 1600 gallons x £5.17 = £8273.00

difference per 200 hrs £5032.00
 
Re: Petrol v\'s Diesel. Again!

I have a 240 Cabrio with a D4 260, and would go for this every time.

I have drivenn a 240 with both a 260hp V8, and of course a D4 260. The D4 is streets a head for all sorts of reasons. The power is so much more effortless, and that means less effort for the crew. The V8 needed over 3000rpm to plane, the D4 will plane with 2000 rpm. The D4 is quieter, just purrs gently at 3000rpm and 30 knots. Generally performance is heaps better than the V8.

Supremely economical, the D4, I use about a litre a mile, I reckon you'd nearly double that, with the V8. That also means I can get 300 miles range with the 320 litre tank, allowing contingency.

The D4 is so much better engineered than the V8, the V8 almost certainly has raw water cooling, which is bad news, more prone engine corrosion etc.

Go for the diesel everytime, 9k is quite a small premium to pay, for so much more enjoyment. Diesel fuel is still cheaper, and much more readily available. I've done over 500hrs of faultless running with mine, including cross channel and a cruise from Poole up the Thames as far as Oxford. The 240/D4 is a great combination, 240/V8 mediocre IMHO.

By all means PM if you like to talk further.
 
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