I'm wondering what the comparative difference in fuel usage is between a small diesel (Like a Univeral 5411 or the Yanmar MD series) in a Catalina 30, compared to the old gas Atomic 4? Is the mileage factor really a part of the decision on gas vs diesel? Or is it the user's comfort factor, and longevity of diesel and safety that decides?
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gas or diesel
the safety. except for the faa explaining the loss of one airplane ever, gasoline explodes quite well and diesel and kerosene don't. a major safety factor.
the safety. except for the faa explaining the loss of one airplane ever, gasoline explodes quite well and diesel and kerosene don't. a major safety factor.
Gas versus Diesel
We have the 5411, and need to pump out the diesel this year as we never can use a tankful. The gas engine has points, plugs, carburetor and would seem to be needing more care than the diesel which can have water thrown over it and still keep running. It's ugly and damp down where that motor lives and electrical ignition systems don't like dampness. Also the comfort level of spilling or leaking diesel compared to gasoline that can explode is important.
We have the 5411, and need to pump out the diesel this year as we never can use a tankful. The gas engine has points, plugs, carburetor and would seem to be needing more care than the diesel which can have water thrown over it and still keep running. It's ugly and damp down where that motor lives and electrical ignition systems don't like dampness. Also the comfort level of spilling or leaking diesel compared to gasoline that can explode is important.
Gas/Diesel
I do not think 'mileage' is a consideration. In a sailboat, we don't motor far enough for fuel consumption to be worth worrying about. As previously mentioned, a diesel is much safer. Also, in my C 320, I have a 27 HP three cylinder Yanmar which burns .5 GPH.
I do not think 'mileage' is a consideration. In a sailboat, we don't motor far enough for fuel consumption to be worth worrying about. As previously mentioned, a diesel is much safer. Also, in my C 320, I have a 27 HP three cylinder Yanmar which burns .5 GPH.
A diesel will run even if it is wet.
Jack's post reminded me of a misadventure years ago. A fitting above a 1.5" thru hull broke on my 32 ft boat when I hit some (what I call) square waves really hard undersail. Why it broke is another story. I was on the bow dropping the yankee (cutter rig before roller furling) as the gunnel was under water.... it rarely went underwater... this should have been a clue. A friend who was with me heard something on the radio and slid the hatch back to hear better. He called up and indicated that there was water in the boat. Thinking that I had left an opening port open on the leeside I asked how much. He indicated about 2.5'..... this got my attention and the shock cords went around the head sail quick. I never liked one of the fittings (it was a new boat) so I went to that thru hull first - it was a clean break above the valve (thank goodness) the water almost up to the seat back top on the lee side and just hitting the seat riser on the windward side. The camera stuff was under the seat on the windward side (a silver lining). Needless to say we stayed on the same tack and started pumping (bailing with a pail into the cockpit was faster we found). The cereal was on the lee side. Think to yourself what cereal floating around in water looks like - and as indicated above it was a very rough day... I wasn't sick but I came close. After the water was down a reasonable amount I checked the engine - the generator and air intake were never in the water - starter was a bit wet - we did our best to dry (fortunately lake water). By the time we we were nearing our destination the boat was bailed/pumped. It was time to start the engine to see if it worked. The diesel started immediately and ran without a problem. A diesel will run underwater as long the air intake is above. The generator and starter may fail but the diesel will keep going. If the electrics on a gas engine even get damp you will have problems. Another point - I cruise a lot - if the destination is a long way off and you have no wind you use the iron genny - 20 gallons of diesel will get you a lot further than 20 gallons of gas. Safety is the number one reason to have a diesel - runs wet and runs without blowing the boat up. By the way - another lesson from this experience - keep the thru hulls that can be closed underway ... closed. The thru-hull that failed was a sink drain.
Jack's post reminded me of a misadventure years ago. A fitting above a 1.5" thru hull broke on my 32 ft boat when I hit some (what I call) square waves really hard undersail. Why it broke is another story. I was on the bow dropping the yankee (cutter rig before roller furling) as the gunnel was under water.... it rarely went underwater... this should have been a clue. A friend who was with me heard something on the radio and slid the hatch back to hear better. He called up and indicated that there was water in the boat. Thinking that I had left an opening port open on the leeside I asked how much. He indicated about 2.5'..... this got my attention and the shock cords went around the head sail quick. I never liked one of the fittings (it was a new boat) so I went to that thru hull first - it was a clean break above the valve (thank goodness) the water almost up to the seat back top on the lee side and just hitting the seat riser on the windward side. The camera stuff was under the seat on the windward side (a silver lining). Needless to say we stayed on the same tack and started pumping (bailing with a pail into the cockpit was faster we found). The cereal was on the lee side. Think to yourself what cereal floating around in water looks like - and as indicated above it was a very rough day... I wasn't sick but I came close. After the water was down a reasonable amount I checked the engine - the generator and air intake were never in the water - starter was a bit wet - we did our best to dry (fortunately lake water). By the time we we were nearing our destination the boat was bailed/pumped. It was time to start the engine to see if it worked. The diesel started immediately and ran without a problem. A diesel will run underwater as long the air intake is above. The generator and starter may fail but the diesel will keep going. If the electrics on a gas engine even get damp you will have problems. Another point - I cruise a lot - if the destination is a long way off and you have no wind you use the iron genny - 20 gallons of diesel will get you a lot further than 20 gallons of gas. Safety is the number one reason to have a diesel - runs wet and runs without blowing the boat up. By the way - another lesson from this experience - keep the thru hulls that can be closed underway ... closed. The thru-hull that failed was a sink drain.
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