Simple question. Looking to get a boat that is a bit larger, I have seen a lot of nice boats (I like the older boats) with gas engines. Also they are affordable, this is important. I have lived for 7 years with a Yanmar in our 82 H27 and it is relatively simple and safe. Gas engines and tanks of petrol aboard give me concern (I never get scared). I am too cautious, silly, or just "chicken"? I am not a mechanic or all that technically oriented so give me an opinion based on safety. Thanks. Andy "Baroque"
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You have a right to be concerned...
Petrol is surely far more dangerous than diesel. However, gas engines in boats have been around for a long time and will remain well into the future. Most powerboats you see are gas engines. A well maintained gas engine with a blower equipped engine compartment should be a reasonably safe boat. Diesels do get far better fuel efficency and that alone would be my reason to hold out for a diesel powered boat.
Petrol is surely far more dangerous than diesel. However, gas engines in boats have been around for a long time and will remain well into the future. Most powerboats you see are gas engines. A well maintained gas engine with a blower equipped engine compartment should be a reasonably safe boat. Diesels do get far better fuel efficency and that alone would be my reason to hold out for a diesel powered boat.
Look for an Older boat needing a new engine
If you can find an older boat that has a dead engine and the price reflects the cost to replace the engine that would be the way to go. Some small diesels are direct replacements for atomic fours. If I buy another boat I want a new engine...
If you can find an older boat that has a dead engine and the price reflects the cost to replace the engine that would be the way to go. Some small diesels are direct replacements for atomic fours. If I buy another boat I want a new engine...
consider this
You probably get to/from your boat by driving a car with a gasoline powered engine and never give that a second thougght. Having said that, I would prefer a diesel for a number of reasons but safety isn't one of the more important ones. I would put as higher priority concers both increased maintenance and decreased longevity of gas engines as more of a consideration but as long as you use common sense, either is "safe".
You probably get to/from your boat by driving a car with a gasoline powered engine and never give that a second thougght. Having said that, I would prefer a diesel for a number of reasons but safety isn't one of the more important ones. I would put as higher priority concers both increased maintenance and decreased longevity of gas engines as more of a consideration but as long as you use common sense, either is "safe".
Years of gas
I had gas powered boats for over 25 years and am still here. I always maintained a careful nose for fumes. At that time, I got to my boat once or twice and always would put my nose into the engine compartment when boarding. I also would give the blower exhaust a quick sniff before starting up. I think the safety thing is over blown, but one concern to watch is the tank. On an older boat, they can rut through so it is smart to keep your eye on that. I did have a boat that developed such a gas leak. My last gas boat, I pulled the tank and had it reconditioned so it was not a worry after that. I now have a diesel and really do like its performance better. The better torque of a diesel at low RPMs is handy when handling a sail boat and the range is so much better. My Irwin 32 only had a range of about 60 - 70 miles so if I had to motor farther I needed to carry an extra 6 gallons. From Huron you have a lot of cruising options and may want that extra range.
I had gas powered boats for over 25 years and am still here. I always maintained a careful nose for fumes. At that time, I got to my boat once or twice and always would put my nose into the engine compartment when boarding. I also would give the blower exhaust a quick sniff before starting up. I think the safety thing is over blown, but one concern to watch is the tank. On an older boat, they can rut through so it is smart to keep your eye on that. I did have a boat that developed such a gas leak. My last gas boat, I pulled the tank and had it reconditioned so it was not a worry after that. I now have a diesel and really do like its performance better. The better torque of a diesel at low RPMs is handy when handling a sail boat and the range is so much better. My Irwin 32 only had a range of about 60 - 70 miles so if I had to motor farther I needed to carry an extra 6 gallons. From Huron you have a lot of cruising options and may want that extra range.
I second all the above!
We keep a gas powered boat in Croatia. Petrol is only as safe or as dangerous as the user. Make sure that all tanks, lines, hoses, connectors, carburettors etc are in good condition and not seeping. Use your nose before switching on any electrical devices, make sure the engine compartment blower is working well and has a sparkless fan. Use plain sense. The down side is fuel economy and less low rev oomph.
We keep a gas powered boat in Croatia. Petrol is only as safe or as dangerous as the user. Make sure that all tanks, lines, hoses, connectors, carburettors etc are in good condition and not seeping. Use your nose before switching on any electrical devices, make sure the engine compartment blower is working well and has a sparkless fan. Use plain sense. The down side is fuel economy and less low rev oomph.
fire
I was on a mooring in Sausalito a few weeks ago when we heard a thump that sounded like a fireworks mortar going off. Within three or four seconds a boat anchored about 1/4 mile away was totally engulfed in flames, bow to stern, flames that had to be at least 30 feet high. Had you been down below when that boat exploded you would have been dead before you could have reached the fire extinguisher or the companionway. No thanks.
I was on a mooring in Sausalito a few weeks ago when we heard a thump that sounded like a fireworks mortar going off. Within three or four seconds a boat anchored about 1/4 mile away was totally engulfed in flames, bow to stern, flames that had to be at least 30 feet high. Had you been down below when that boat exploded you would have been dead before you could have reached the fire extinguisher or the companionway. No thanks.
Don't for get the Bio fuel problems
big problem and diesel might be next! You should redo the entire fuel.
big problem and diesel might be next! You should redo the entire fuel.
If you've ever seen a boat burn,,,
you'll do what ever it takes to prevent it on your boat. First thing to do is have diesel power.
you'll do what ever it takes to prevent it on your boat. First thing to do is have diesel power.
re:If you've ever seen a boat burn,,,
I agree 100% Fred! No gas boats for me too! I am sure you can be safe and check all the system 99% of the time but it is the 1% that can burn up your boat or take your life... I don't buy gas anything but lawn mowers, chain saws and dingy engines. We have diesel cars, boats and oil heat!
I agree 100% Fred! No gas boats for me too! I am sure you can be safe and check all the system 99% of the time but it is the 1% that can burn up your boat or take your life... I don't buy gas anything but lawn mowers, chain saws and dingy engines. We have diesel cars, boats and oil heat!
Gas engines in sailboats
Ive had two sailboats with gas inboards. Both were replaced "with diesels" Lets forget about the safety issue here which has been adressed. Obviously if you take the proper safety precautions your not going to blow up. Im surprised no one has discussed the real reason why gas engines are avoided like the plague in sailboats. DEPENDABILITY. sailboat gas inboards have carburetors and depend on spark to start. You get one splash of salt water on that carburetor, or get any water on the electrical parts the engine will not start. Unless your good ignition man and can keep things dry and in good tune the engine probably wont start, especially after its been out in a stiff breeze. This is the main reason why Gas inboard have become obsolete in sailboats. A diesel engine will start no matter how soaked it gets. All you need is a good battery and fuel
Ive had two sailboats with gas inboards. Both were replaced "with diesels" Lets forget about the safety issue here which has been adressed. Obviously if you take the proper safety precautions your not going to blow up. Im surprised no one has discussed the real reason why gas engines are avoided like the plague in sailboats. DEPENDABILITY. sailboat gas inboards have carburetors and depend on spark to start. You get one splash of salt water on that carburetor, or get any water on the electrical parts the engine will not start. Unless your good ignition man and can keep things dry and in good tune the engine probably wont start, especially after its been out in a stiff breeze. This is the main reason why Gas inboard have become obsolete in sailboats. A diesel engine will start no matter how soaked it gets. All you need is a good battery and fuel
Diesel is so much safer
Diesel is very hard to ignite. In fact, you can put a blowtorch to a cup of diesel and it still won't burn. It needs high compression to ignite. With gas, if there is any little bit of gas fume, all you will need is a tiny little spark, and boom. Cars and boats are very different. On a car, all gas related components are on the outside, not inside of the passenger area. On a boat, the fuel tank is inside, or at least there are paths for gas fume to come inside. The engine compartment is also inside. Not good. I would go with diesel anytime.
Diesel is very hard to ignite. In fact, you can put a blowtorch to a cup of diesel and it still won't burn. It needs high compression to ignite. With gas, if there is any little bit of gas fume, all you will need is a tiny little spark, and boom. Cars and boats are very different. On a car, all gas related components are on the outside, not inside of the passenger area. On a boat, the fuel tank is inside, or at least there are paths for gas fume to come inside. The engine compartment is also inside. Not good. I would go with diesel anytime.
I prefer diesel, but I've had lots of gas powered
boats. look at all the I/O runabouts and cabin cruisers zooming around. 90% gas engines. If it's affordable, don't let a gas engine scare you off. On the other hand, you will want a diesel sooner or later, beacuse the old gas engines are.... well, old. Hard to keep them running as they get older and older. So get the bargain gasser, enjoy her, and put away your pennies while you look in the local buy and sell for a deal on a diesel.
boats. look at all the I/O runabouts and cabin cruisers zooming around. 90% gas engines. If it's affordable, don't let a gas engine scare you off. On the other hand, you will want a diesel sooner or later, beacuse the old gas engines are.... well, old. Hard to keep them running as they get older and older. So get the bargain gasser, enjoy her, and put away your pennies while you look in the local buy and sell for a deal on a diesel.
Came close once
The only day you forget to be safewith your gas boat, will be the one day a hose started to leak. Murphy's law. We had a Sea Ray 29 Twin and my son went in to start her up. He knew to start the blowers and wait. He was about to turn the key when I put the cooler down and got a nose full of gas smell. "STOP" came out of mu mouth as loud as I could... his finger was on the key. We had just had an oil change and when the guy climbed out his foot much have pushed down on one of the gas intake lines.... drip drip drip. PLUE... taking care of my Yanmar is a cake walk!
The only day you forget to be safewith your gas boat, will be the one day a hose started to leak. Murphy's law. We had a Sea Ray 29 Twin and my son went in to start her up. He knew to start the blowers and wait. He was about to turn the key when I put the cooler down and got a nose full of gas smell. "STOP" came out of mu mouth as loud as I could... his finger was on the key. We had just had an oil change and when the guy climbed out his foot much have pushed down on one of the gas intake lines.... drip drip drip. PLUE... taking care of my Yanmar is a cake walk!
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