Suitability of outboards for long distance cruising in remote(ish) parts of Britain

[gravygraham]

Hopefully the new year will see me being in the market for a 28’ - 33’ wheelhouse with a planing hull and inboard diesel power, Sargo Nordstar Botnia Targa that sort of thing, but there’s also a newish breed of boat out there which has caught my interest, in the shape of Paragon, XO, Saxdor and Axopar, most of which are outboard powered. As part of my plan for the boat is to do some long distance cruising and take her round the country I’m wondering if I should discount these petrol powered vessels on the assumption that unleaded will be harder to source than diesel in outlying parts. I’m guessing range will be shorter than diesel powered equivalents too.

 

[danieleither]

Or just spec one with diesel outboards...

 

[gravygraham]

Or just spec one with diesel outboards...

As I’ll probably be buying pre-owned that avenue is unlikely to be an option for me. Anyway, have diesel outboards hit the mainstream yet, I thought there were only one or two manufacturers producing them?

 

[Martxer]

I have seen a couple of ribs sporting cox diesel outboards, not seen them being used yet.

 

[julians]

I can't comment on the availability of petrol in ports and marinas round the UK, but depending on your definition of long distance cruising the Axopar may not be suitable. The new model 28s have a 280litre tank (the mark 1s had a slightly smaller tank), so that would limit your range to around 100-150 miles depending on how close to empty you're willing to go.

 

[Plum]

Hopefully the new year will see me being in the market for a 28’ - 33’ wheelhouse with a planing hull and inboard diesel power, Sargo Nordstar Botnia Targa that sort of thing, but there’s also a newish breed of boat out there which has caught my interest, in the shape of Paragon, XO, Saxdor and Axopar, most of which are outboard powered. As part of my plan for the boat is to do some long distance cruising and take her round the country I’m wondering if I should discount these petrol powered vessels on the assumption that unleaded will be harder to source than diesel in outlying parts. I’m guessing range will be shorter than diesel powered equivalents too.

On the East Coast you may find only a limited number of places to buy petrol alongside. At best, your itinerary will be dictated by sources of fuel rather than the best places to visit. At worst, you will have to fit an additions fuel tank to get between fuel sources. You show as being in Kent. Ramsgate, Essex Marina, Bradwell Marina, Suffolk Yacht Harbour do petrol but after SYH ??????

 

[Momac]

Lack of petrol at the waterside is certainly an issue.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Don't come to the Isle of Man unless you're up for several hikes with 5l petrol cans. Many traditional harbours will be similar.

 

[Hot Property]

Fuel availability will scupper your cruising plans I think. I have an outboard boat based in the Solent where waterside petrol is generally available.

I've been further afield down to Torbay, Dartmouth etc but you would need to do some detailed research in your chosen area to see if it works for you....

 

[madabouttheboat]

Don’t do it. Get yourself a diesel Sargo or Targa.

 

[gordmac]

I suppose it depends on where you are going but in this part of the world forget petrol and forget boats with small diesel tanks.

 

[hinch]

can't be done unless you carry your own petrol there's no petrol from i think ipswitch until maybe hartlepool well beyond the range of the built in tanks. unless you're going to have shore support follow you around doing a dozen nearest petrol station trips to keep you fueled.

I keep considering an axopar but i'd need diesel outboards before its viable.

 

[Alicatt]

It was 5 20l Jerry cans of petrol I used in addition to the fuel tank on my 6m dory, not every garage let you fill them either.
For the Offshore 105 the tanker came to you and filled you up with that nice red diesel stuff, much more civilised and a fraction of the price of the petrol (at that time...)

I was based in either Staxigeo or Wick in Caithness.

 

[Ian h]

I keep considering an axopar but i'd need diesel outboards before its viable.

News & Events

 

[hinch]

News & Events

yep there's just zero availability within the uk at the moment so i'd have to order from germany then ship over here etc and then have no maintenance/support network in the uk as cox despite being uk hasn't really developed that yet.
once they do become generally available over here though i'd definitely be in line they'd make a great little fishing/fun boat for just messing about on.

 

[z1ppy]

I am firmly in the petrol outboard camp as it’s ideal for our current needs, our longest trip in an axopar is 115 miles and and that was the limit fuel wise on one tank but had we had fuel or stops, we could easily have done double or more comfort wise. The tank on an axopar is small….

have a look for an xo270. They did some with inboards And the XO hull is great, plenty of comfort, speed and diesel as well?