Anyone Running Desiels????

[2kwik4u]

Was just perusing Rinkers website doing my weekly dream boat pricing. Noticed that they offer a Volvo D3 desiel as a power option on the 246 (and several other hulls as well).

I was curios to see if anyone was running a desiel on a pleasure boat, and how it ran as compared to a gas motor.

My initial thought is that it has the torque of a big block with the economy of a 3.0L. However I really have no basis for that other than speculation. At $63k base price it's within $1k of the big block options.

Aside from finding fuel on the smaller inland lakes, anyone have any thoughts on desiels in "smaller" pleasure boats?

[ParkRode360]

Mike, many on the board do. In the States, it's usually only the bigger boats (360 and up) -- a bit better fuel economy due to the torque advantage as well as (usually) cheaper fuel prices.  Internationally, I've seen a lot of boats of all sizes do diesel for the same cost advantage and better torque.

That's offset by the higher initial layout, though -- I think diesels on my 360 would've been significantly more expensive, between 60 and 80K, running diesels versus gas.  Plus I wouldn't have as much experience repairing diesel issues (not that I have tons on the Volvo Gas models! :)

I know Gem and MacinCT have diesels, maybe they'll weigh in.

[MacInCT]

I have Volvo D-6's 350hp on my 2006 Rinker 390 (for sale!). They are terrific engines IMHO. They will push the boat along at close to 40 knots and at cruise of around 30 knots they are very thrifty - about 30 gph. At slower speeds the gph drops dramatically. There was clearly a significant up-charge for the option but it was a good decision.

I bought a bigger boat so this baby is on the market.

All the best,

Nancy

[ParkRode360]

What did you finally get, Mac?

[MacInCT]

G&G,

A 70-foot 2003 Johnson. Don't laugh! After looking at all these trawlers, including making a pilgrimage to Snead Island to look at Marlows, I came across this boat and that was that. If you look quick you can see Charmer on Yachtworld. She's the one that says "Sale Pending".

All the best,

Nancy

[DaleM]

Very nice Nancy.  That should cure 2 footitis for a long time.  

[ParkRode360]

Nice, Nancy!!!!! Last I heard you were looking at the Marlowes. Are you going to live-aboard?  Or just setting up for early retirement? She's gorgeous!

[MacInCT]

G&G,

I don't want to hi-jack the thread any more than I have already so look for a PM.

Nancy

[Nauti Duck]

Was just perusing Rinkers website doing my weekly dream boat pricing. Noticed that they offer a Volvo D3 desiel as a power option on the 246 (and several other hulls as well).

I was curios to see if anyone was running a desiel on a pleasure boat, and how it ran as compared to a gas motor.

My initial thought is that it has the torque of a big block with the economy of a 3.0L. However I really have no basis for that other than speculation. At $63k base price it's within $1k of the big block options.

Aside from finding fuel on the smaller inland lakes, anyone have any thoughts on desiels in "smaller" pleasure boats?

Hmmm,

    I started a thread on this last year, but was finding the 'uptick' for diesel power to be much more than $1K over the gas engine options.  In fact, at the time at least, the online 'build your own' calculator showed a difference of $27K on a 280, and almost $61K on a 320!

    Check out the thread here.   I just re-read it, and it is funny that fuel prices (and diesel in particular) have gone up so much since that post, throws off all the ROI calculations, but you still get the point.  But Diesel's are great power for Cruisers, just not economical enough in my eyes for small to mid-size cruisers when you are looking at the whole picture...

[ParkRode360]

I don't know if Ship Shape TV runs the same episodes everywhere, but last week they did a repower of an old gas Volvo Penta I/0 with a D3 Diesel -- I think they went from 225 horse to 160.  Lost about a mile or so an hour at the top end, but cruised at the same speed at 100 less RPM.  Got almost twice as much range. Didn't have to replace the gas tank, though it did need to be replumbed to allow the diesel recirc back to the tank.  Seemed relatively straightforward, but then it's only a half-hour show.  With Diesel going fo $4.50 on the Hudson (about 60 cents more / gal than gas), it's likely not worth the conversion unless you plan on keeping your boat for a *very* long time...

[andy06]

2kwik4u,

Have used a 246CC with D3-190DP diesel a lot here in Norway. It's a terrific engine setup for this boat (if you need diesels).. It has a top end about 36knots and you can easily cruise at 32knots @ approx 20l hour. In addition, in the 246 installation, the engine runs very quiet, I will in fact say that there is no significant more noise comparing to e.g. the 5.0l gas option - have run both.

So, if the top end speed is not a concern, this is an excellent choice here in Norway where the diesel fuel is much cheaper than gas...

Have heard that Volvo will start supplying the new D3-220 this summer.... Hope so...

A:

[2kwik4u]

2kwik4u,

Have used a 246CC with D3-190DP diesel a lot here in Norway. It's a terrific engine setup for this boat (if you need diesels).. It has a top end about 36knots and you can easily cruise at 32knots @ approx 20l hour. In addition, in the 246 installation, the engine runs very quiet, I will in fact say that there is no significant more noise comparing to e.g. the 5.0l gas option - have run both.

So, if the top end speed is not a concern, this is an excellent choice here in Norway where the diesel fuel is much cheaper than gas...

Have heard that Volvo will start supplying the new D3-220 this summer.... Hope so...

A:

Excellent information. 36 knots is ~42mph which is about how fast our current little 182 runs with the smaller 3.0L motor. Every now and again I wish it was a little faster, but not very often. Most of our time on the 246 is planned for cruising, and then watersports which I can both see benefiting from having a desiel powerplant.

Even more to consider now in the new purchase.

Have you had any maintenance issues come up with the desiel motors? Are they any harder to work on than the gas counterpart?

[andy06]

2kwik4u,

Well, it is not to compare with a gas engine maintanance wise ;)

Anyway it's a very light (330kgs incl outdrive), smooth and powerful engine running 5-cyl.....

A: