power for 30 something sports cruisers

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seadove

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I am researching new sports cruisers in the 30-32 feet category. I am interested in the choice between twin 4.3 gxi 225 hp volvo petrol engines and the twin D3 190's or twin D4 225 diesels. Can anyone disuade me from the petrol choice given that the cost of petrol and diesel is the same (where I am) and the significant extra cost of the diesel engines?
 
I'd go for the petrols if the fuel is the same price, lighter for the given power, cheaper. Thats all!
 
I'd check that the range of the boat with petrols will suit your needs eg distances, water toys etc. The diesels will do more mpg for range and will consume less playing with toys - so although the pain of filling it up might be the same, it won't hurt so often! Might also check whether petrols stick on the second hand market where you are, in case you decide to move it on quite quickly. If none of the above seem to be a problem, petrols will give you a nice quiet, zippy sports boat.
 
From a safety point of view I would never buy a petrol boat.If you get a diesel leak you should be OK,if you get a petrol leak anything could happen.Having seen the complete top of a boat blown off by a petrol leak,its not for me.
 
Pah - 99% of fires / explosions on boats come from the cooker anyhow!

Seriously, If you were in the UK then Diesel would have to be the choice.

As I take it you aren't, then I would seriously consider the petrols, provided you want to sell it over there and not over here...

Consider the ease of re-fuelling (are there as many Petrol as diesel waterside refilling points?), performance (2 x 225HP would sound better performance to me than 2 x 190HP).

Simple maths to do is....

GPH on the diesel x number of hours you think you will do per year x cost of diesel per gallon/litre. Then add in the cost of the service on BOTH engines (diesels cost more to service).

Then do the same calculation on the petrols. - I suspect there will be about a 30%-50% difference.

Then work out how much interest you'll earn on putting the difference between the petrol and the diesel boat into a decent savings account - OR if you are financing the boat, how much interest you will save by not having to borrow the extra to buy the diesel.

If these two figures all work out about the same then buy the diesel for it's better resale value. If it looks like the diesel will cost a lot more then buy the petrols, and every time you fill the tank think of how much you saved.

You didn't say where you were based, but have you considered a nearly new Petrol boat - they depreciate more quickly here due to fuel cost so make a good secondhand buy.
 
Then maintain you boat well enough so that you dont get leak of any kind! Lets not start another petrol is deadly thread - I take it you just leave your engines and lines then, so a leak in your eyes is inevitable?
 
I have a 30ft Regal with twin 4.3gl Volvos. Performance is great, economy ranges from 12GPH for 2500 revs to 18+GPH for 4000 Revs. The petrols are reliable as long as you service them every year. Benefit over diesel is that you do not get 'Bugs' in your fuel as it is often better quality than marine diesel and used a lot quicker.

Disadvantage is economy, as diesel is more economical but servicing is slightly dearer with a diesel. Resale probably better with a diesel. You pay your money and take your chance,

Paul
 
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