CAP071

Ok if you were buying a Cruiser 34 foot would you go Gas or Diesel and Why?

t500hps

I've had a number of 30-35 ft cruisaers and would prefer diesel, but most are not built that way. The additional cost would take forever for most of us to make it up in fuel economy. I don't believe I ever used one enough to justify the additional expense. Boats in FL with a 12 month season may get more use, but in VA we have a 5 month layup.

CAP071

How about if you had 2 boats exactly the same but 1 was gas vs diesel same price ?

zog02

It has been my experience that diesel engines seem to last a good deal longer and require a little less maintenance. They also have much greater torque and get better fuel efficiency at low RPM's. Oil changes will cost you much more as they usually take about 3 times as much oil and the oil has to be diesel rated so it costs more. One additional thing that is nice is you can use off road or red diesel in it. There are no road taxes on that fuel and it is usually 30-40 cents per gallon cheaper than regular diesel. You can usually find it at truck stops. Not sure if that would help you since you probably won't trailer a 34 foot cruiser. Just a few thought. I would probably go with the diesel.

East Coast B

Same boat, same price, I'd go with the deisel in a heart beat. They last much longer, get better fuel economy and the fuel is usually cheaper than gasoline on the water, but I guess this can differ from region to region. In OCMD, diesel has always been cheaper than gasoline.
If you were looking at having to pay the upcharge for diesels in a new boat, then I'd might have a different answer. Good Luck!

t500hps

same as above. Same cost.....no brainer.
Gas has a road tax, but in VA you can send in your reciepts and have that refunded to you if the fuel went into a boat. At the marina I used to slip at, the diesel guys would get together every few weeks and have a tanker truck meet them at the docks and fill all the diesel boats up. They got a better deal, convienent, and didn't have to pay the road taxes either!!!!

hillbilly24

Diesels are much cheeper to operate, it nots just fuel savings. In a heavy cruiser or sportfisher gas motor are so overworked that they just don't hold up. They are constantly having problems and they don't make enough power to move most wide beam cruisers much over 10 knots or so. Diesel all the way.

DollaBill

Same price, go with the diesel - no brainer. But how can you buy the same boats w/ diff power for the same money?? A diesel 34 cruiser will be a very hard resale if you want the premium that paid up front back out.

As an example, go to yachtworld.com and search Sea Ray 340DA's. I'll bet you lunch 95% are gas boats. Search 40' and up and 95% will be dsl. Save the money Capo. Call me if you need anything.

mopower

Two boats , same price , go Diesel
You can beat the ball$ off them all day long and they don't even work up a sweat.

Michael1

Two boats, same price? Better check the condition of those diesel engines carefully. A diesel costs much more to rebuild than gasoline engines of the same horsepower (ultra high performance gasoline engines excepted).

Michael