Totally Gone off Diesel

Fuel availability is significant factor for me.
I also do think a diesel is significantly cheaper to run............ but that is dependant on how much the boat is used.

When diesels develop a fault they can be expensive to fix - but then so can a petrol engine. There will always be horror stories.
Someone on one of the forums had to stop boating when his inboard petrol engine raw water jacket corroded through internally.

Petrol engined boat are quite a bit cheaper to buy ..............so low hours use and refuelling not an issue = petrol may be the better option.

The pollution aspect is not something that worries me. If you are worried about that consider a boat with sails.
 
MartynG said:
Fuel availability is significant factor for me.
I also do think a diesel is significantly cheaper to run............ but that is dependant on how much the boat is used.

When diesels develop a fault they can be expensive to fix - but then so can a petrol engine. There will always be horror stories.
Someone on one of the forums had to stop boating when his inboard petrol engine raw water jacket corroded through internally.

Petrol engined boat are quite a bit cheaper to buy ..............so low hours use and refuelling not an issue = petrol may be the better option.

The pollution aspect is not something that worries me. If you are worried about that consider a boat with sails.
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All true, but once again on the reliability issue I would like to separate petrol inboard and outboard engines. One is incredibly reliable and the other is not
 
MartynG said:
Fuel availability is significant factor for me.
I also do think a diesel is significantly cheaper to run............ but that is dependant on how much the boat is used.

When diesels develop a fault they can be expensive to fix - but then so can a petrol engine. There will always be horror stories.
Someone on one of the forums had to stop boating when his inboard petrol engine raw water jacket corroded through internally.

Petrol engined boat are quite a bit cheaper to buy ..............so low hours use and refuelling not an issue = petrol may be the better option.

The pollution aspect is not something that worries me. If you are worried about that consider a boat with sails.
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Where I boat the availability of fuel is a non issue because neither is available. You have to tote it to your boat in a little tender what ever it is
 
longjohnsilver said:
Pretty sure it's been for sale since last year. Suspect a 6.8m boat will struggle a bit with a 115 on the back. It certainly won't be a sports boat as per the description.
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Yes, I had a 7m pilot house with 150hp and it went very nicely, I think 115 is probably enough for the open sea, and well over powered for inland. The presentation is superb in the photos and only the outboard cowling gives its age away.
 
Ironically I never been a great fan of diesel but have just bought a 25' diesel boat!

I've had many diesel vans over the years and being asthmatic definitely feel the difference. Cars always petrol however - perhaps much by chance, but always go for 'gutsy' motors - Jags, Land Rovers etc and the diesel variants have until recently, always been lacklustre by comparison. Unfortunately the modern high compression diesels produce more of the harmful substances like nitrous oxides and particulates - although they do tend to have more filters.

Boat decision was based on range and the right boat more than simply being diesel! It's also not going to be used for raw speed, but more for cruising further afield. It will also stay in the water rather than live on a trailer on the drive so not filling as often is a factor. I can always drop a 5.7 V8 in if it doesn't pan out and the cost would likely be offset by the sale of the diesel lump! ;)

My advice would be look at all the other factors and if it's the 'right' boat, neither petrol or diesel would put me off. As for LPG, I have a Range Rover P38 - 4.6 petrol with LPG conversion and although it works well and is cost effective, I wouldn't want in a boat. Availability and risk of leaks aside, the tanks are heavy and range not great compared to petrol or diesel...
 
Hi Dennis, you have answered your own question really...

Fuel not available locally so either will do.

Jiggle pump to Syphon your chosen fuel safely into tank.

For a boats up to 25ft (and beyond perhaps) outboards are currently in favour. Chap that fitted my 135 honda used to be an agent for them and 7500 hours on commercial fishermen's engines was not unusual. Honda bought high hours engines from the owners to disassemble and see what had worn out....

As with anything mechanical it needs regular use and maintenance.

Another benefit is that currently the only bit of my engine being slowly corroded is the bottom bracket. All the rest has been flushed with fresh water.

Your stern drive also needs gimbals, bellows and stuff like that. Oh and risers whatever they are!


I just need oil and an impeller much of the time.

With modern electronics you can view the engine hours revs etc. so you will be able to determine that easily.

A good sea trial will sort out the rest - did that with the Suzuki 115 my boat came with and it performed well so i bought it.

So go for an outboard in my view.

See you at the rally.
 
Nick

I agree that outboards are generally better. I have a few issues however:

1) Finding the right boat that has an outboard with hood power
2) I need a nice swim platform as we keep our bigger boat on a swinging mooring and need space to get on the back. Outboards seem to get in the way but can be over come
3) The 21 foot + sized boats with outboards seem to helm from inside. I am a wind in my hair (What is left of it) sort of guy

I will keep looking


Looking forward to the Rally and seeing your new boat

Dennis
 
I have the smallest 4.7 Cap Camarat. It's a boat obviously built to a price but is pretty well put together. I'm very pleased with it and if wanting something bigger would definitely look higher up the range. It would be a good choice, and for not too much money.
 
Why would anyone want an s25 with an outboard?? Thats just wrong! A kad 32 will cause no problems and if diesel was 1.50 a litre it will still be cheaper than any big outboard.. and boats make up less than 1% of cars so i don't think they're gonna bother us tbh.
 
solitaire11 said:
Why would anyone want an s25 with an outboard?? Thats just wrong! A kad 32 will cause no problems and if diesel was 1.50 a litre it will still be cheaper than any big outboard.. and boats make up less than 1% of cars so i don't think they're gonna bother us tbh.
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Outboards are far easier and cheaper to maintain and work on. No laying on your belly wondering how you are going to get to parts. If there were always a choice and I had one (a choice that is) I would go with an outboard always
 
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FlowerPower said:
Why?

If a seller has stacks of receipts for genuine VP parts, all applied following the correct schedule, and they have called in the pros where the manual says "dealer should do this"...
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Totally agree!

I've seen some "professionals" servicing my Diesel years ago and since then I'll do as much of the servicing as I can myself (with original parts and guidance from parts supplier and my friendly local mechanic who I call on to do the Leg service etc)

If you don't know what your doing - leave it alone. If you do - do it yourself.
 
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