Thread: Petrol or Diesel for boats

I once had a 28' cabin cruiser, planing hull, with a Detroit 280 hp 6V53 on a vee-drive. Not at all comfortable unless it was up on the plane. Couldn't this combination use fuel. Mind you it got you where you were going quick time. Bloody noisy.

After it was broken into and robbed at moorings a couple of times, I decided to quit the boat. If I ever get another it will be at least a 40' displacement hull with a Gardner diesel or two. I also decided I would not buy another unless I had a waterfront home to keep it at with a couple of man-eating dogs in attendance. I am not likely to afford this latter at my age unless I win Gold Lotto.

I used to complain about the fuel usage until a mate with a 24' Shark CAt and two BIG outboards told me what he used. In dollar terms he was using twice the fuel that frightened me.

Originally Posted by big guy

Was the honda old school 4 stroke?

The new era are just brilliant. I do believe much works has been done to improve 2 strokers also and they performance is outstanding.

So improvements all round I guess.
I am only quoting from real life experience.

As a whole , I believe service intervals have been greatly improved on all out boards now.
I always remembered that after a service they ran like crap and only after some tinkering did I have my old faithfuls back.

A Yanmar or Volvo inboard diesel would probably solve all those issues.

Depends what you call old school. It was only about 4 yrs old and had to be replaced because it ceased. It seems the water jacket on a 4 stroke has very small apertures owing to all of the complicated extra bits belonging to the engine and even though it had been looked after to within an inch of its life, salt water had done the damage irrepairably.