I have [almost bought....waiting for final survey results...shipping soon !!!] a Scarab III.

It comes with Mercruiser 365hp gas engines and TRS drives but I am considering selling the gas engines and installing diesel.

This is for two reasons:
--cost of gas in the UK ($3/gallon -v- $7/gallon)
--availbility of gas in the UK (few marinas have gas)

Does anyone have experience of re-powering a performance boat to diesel?

I am worried about my top end speed especially...and the fact that the diesels rev at a lower RPM than the gas engines.

I can run the diesels through the TRS drives and have been told that I can take a drop in HP for the diesels because they have more torque than gas....my man is suggesting 260HP diesels will match 330HP gas engines.

My local dealer assures me I won't see that much of a drop...but is he just after a deal???!!!

Stef

Did they say what brand of diesels?

One guy I have been talking to says:
http://www.65-62dieselengine.com/page/page/1981976.htm

They say no reduction in top end speed...!!!!

However these are $23,000 + $7,000 to fit which is way more than I want to pay.


Another dealer is recommending Chevy v8 giving around 250HP but then my top end drops to 45mph.


Basically I want to get as close to 60mph as possible....

We have done several Re-powers from bigblock to Yanmar diesels the 315 hp is a great candiate for that application. would be able to get real close to the top end your looking for.the complete package is apprx 25k per side but that includes new motor ,drive,gimbal,etc. 1yr on drive warr., 5 year on power ,, would be very interested in helping out however possible. we have been through the b/s of the conversions..

here you go

http://www.allmarinediesel.com/Hammerhead%20Page.htm

$50k is [way] over budget....even if I get something for part exchange on my 454s...

Perhaps the story is that even with reconditioned motors and my TRS drives I can't get this to work out.