[Public-List] Gas vs Diesel (was: Alberg 30 FOR SALE)

[George Dinwiddie]

William,

On 3/4/11 10:38 AM, vmarmei wrote:
>
> Sorry John....
> We are not interested in a gas engine....only a Diesel in a boat counts.

We thought so before buying a boat with an auxiliary.  But we bought a 
boat with a gas engine anyway because we fell in love with the boat.

What I've noticed is that both gas and diesel engines have their plusses 
and minuses.  If you're doing long distance motoring, then diesel has a 
clear win based on cruising range.  If you're rarely using the engine, 
then gas has an advantage with fewer fuel problems (though the addition 
of greater amounts of alcohol may be reducing that advantage).

I know people who are contemplating replacing a diesel engine that's 
younger than I've had our boat.  While any engine can (and will) give 
trouble, it's far more likely that you'll be able to repair a gas engine 
at anchor than a diesel.  (Those that cruise the Chesapeake Bay with me 
will attest to my experience at this last point.)

My point is that everything about a boat is a compromise.  It always 
depends on how you'll use the boat, as well as how big a factor cost is 
to you.  Making flat statements may seem appropriate when you've already 
made certain choices, but it does a disservice to those who don't know 
the choices you've made.

  - George

P.S. Note the clever changing of the subject line. ;-)

-- 
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   When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
   I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
   So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
   So many I love were not yet born.                          also see:
                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash     http://idiacomputing.com
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