09-07-2011
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Senior Moment Member
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Vancouver B.C.
Posts: 4,479
Rep Power: 1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Faster
btw many moons ago we took out an old Atomic 2 twin and replaced it with a new volvo 2001. Ultimately a successful swap but required some fairly major mods to engine beds, a new prop, mods to fuel system etc... The cost was never recovered in a subsequent sale...
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From years of watching the market here it appears that a diesel generally only commands a 5% to 10% premium over gas in boats under 35' or so - certainly not a reason to change. I've even seen people pull dead diesels and put in fresh Atomic 4's strictly due to cost considerations. Moyer can keep you in an A-4 forever now that they have new blocks available. A-4's are generally smoother and quieter than even the new small diesels as well. They do use considerably more fuel but that is rarely more than a theoretical factor - fuel costs for a sailboat seldom amount to much either way.
FWIW, something like 90% of powerboats have gas engines - how often do they blow up?
I've long regarded the comparison as somewhat similar to the iron/lead keel "argument". Lead is definitely better in most ways. It requires less maintenance, performs better, adds to comparative resale value and so forth. BUT, iron is a lot cheaper, works perfectly well and has done so for a long, long time.
The same things apply to the gas/diesel relationship.
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"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats". The Water Rat from The Wind In The Willows
Sailing for 40 years in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean but mostly Georgia Straight.
Currently own a Columbia 43.
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