H260 Diesel v. Outboard

[Tedd]

I'm shopping for an H260 and wondering about the relative merits of diesel or outboard engine. I can only see two important advantages to the diesel: it's (presumably) quieter while underway, and there would be less problem with aerating the prop in heavy seas. The outboard would be much easier to maintain and service (and maybe cheaper?), and would save a lot of space down below. Since we almost always overnight on the boat when we sail, space and comfort in the berth are important to us.

Thoughts?

 

[Doug J]

I believe you will only find a diesel in a 270 which is a fixed keel. Trailering , launching and retrieving will be an issue. Most of us with 26/260's appreciate the trialability of them. If I was to get a diesel fixed keel, it would be in the water most of the time, except while storing or maintenance. I would not be trailering it around, and it would likely be another make and probably larger. I agree an outboard is easier to maintain. If you have to take it to the shop, you can just remove it from the transom and take it in.

 

[caverun]

I'm pretty sure the fixed keel/diesel version has more headroom in the cabin since there is no ballast tank. I don't know how much more, but a search of the archives here might turn up something. Of course its a trade-off with the space under the companionway the inboard takes up. Oh, and I think the table drops down flush with the settees to make a large berth on top of the table- not possible in the WB version due to the centerboard trunk.

 

[Tedd]

@caverun ,

I hadn't considered that the diesel might only be available in the fixed-keel version of the 260, but it make sense that it would be. That rules it out, then, because trailerability is a non-negotiable requirement, for me.