"too many articles about boat fires from gas engine fumes to make me ever want a gas engine for a sailboat but thats one man's opinion...."
Alas, another one.
Please point me to the article that sites a fire was caused by gas fumes from a gas engine on a SAILBOAT.
the VAST majority of fires from fumes are on powerboats.
the VAST majority of THOSE and not due to unsafe design, or improper equipment.
Plainly put...
THE VAST MAJORITY OF FIRES FOM GAS FUMES ARE DUE TO UNSAFE OPERATION AND/OR OPERATOR ERROR.
I know theres a HUGE "oh no, not a gas engine under there" bias, its something I encounter weekly. Usually from people that have no clue.
There were over 40,000 A-4's installed. There is NO diesel Mfr that comes close to that number of installs... (in class)
That number of boats simply can't be "wrong".
Lets take a look at some "costs"..s gas vs diesel.
repower gas about 6k installed, ( I was under the impression that a rebuilt was about 4k, I suppose with freight, core and install it could get to 6k.)diesel, almost twice that. (not installed)
You've also got to take a look at new mounts, tanks, filters,
lines, electronics, oh man, not pretty.
IF the OP didn't have to go with exchange engine, a typical rebuild parts kit is less than 2k. Try that number on for size with any diesel.
parts prices. full tune up for gas, about 40 bucks in a hard year.
Whats one injector for a W18 or 33 go for? 71.00? One glow plug? 37.60 You going to replace that yourself?
There is a huge market for diesel. I don't deny that, but repowering a 25 to 30k boat with 11k of engine just doesn't make much economic sense, and my humble opinion, gives no advantage in safety concerns.
I also wouldn't
rig up an outboard. Your motor would be delivered by the time you got a mount mounted.