"Thanks for the advice. It is
"Thanks for the advice. It is an argument sort of like which is better a ford or chevy. I don't fish comercially which makes the diesel/gas argument even more favorable for gas BUT-I have had two diesel boats and now am running a big outboard with twin 200 Johnsons. Ethanol in gas, safety with gas, nearest marina is 20 miles, have to run 24 miles just to get to the Pass to go out into the gulf, and than go 20 to 50 miles further. My needs are lower helm, airconditoned, room for family-age 2 to 76, 6 to 8 of us, room to fish 4-6 off the stern, sleep 4 to 6, etc. I started looking 2 months ago for diesel boats that would meet my requirements. $50,000 dollar budget hasn't worked yet. Looking for cummins, yanmar, cats, in that order. No express boats or Deep Vs will not work. We also want to cruise the bays, coastal canal, and we primarily bottom fish. Need a stable boat. If 4 foot seas we won't go out. Need a salon for the family. I don't want to sit upon the flybridge running two hours with everyone else down below in the air conditioned spaces playing cards on the dinette or catching a nap.
I am familiar with Pascoe's work. I think he has his biased, but he does agree at about the 32-34 foot mark diesel does have a place. My marina gas fuel was 3.00 when off road diesel was 2.40. I have my own trailer and haul for my boats and my son-in-laws shrimp boat. But I don't want to haul gas. But you are right you have got to run a lot of gas thru the boat to off set conversion costs. But than again all is not lost with conversion. I could invest in the gas boat engines and in todays market probably not get any of that investment back, whereas diesel conversion I will get some return, although I agree not all by any means.
For me there is also the safety factor. Big inboard gas boats worry me. Plus I can keep a diesel going easier than I can keep up the fuel and ignition system on the gas.
Stamas 32, Trojan 36 Chris Craft 36 and a Tiara 31, not the express or open, Hatteras and Egg Harbor all had salon type accomodations with a lower helm on many of them. A Stamas 32 with yanmars sold in April at a good price but I wan't looking than. I bought a Stams 32 with the gas 454s just as a hedge since it came with a $7000 Alum. tripple axle trailer and the boat layout worked for me. $8500. It is sitting up by my barn for a winter project and if it doesn't work out than I will sell in the spring. I have had a mechanic in and he indicated engines looked pretty good and I figure there must be some value there as well.
I continue to shop for diesel boats and diesel engines and transmissions but maybe can't do it on a $50,000 budget. Than again, two years ago I bought a 29ft Aquasport Tournament Master with 2003 Yanmar 240s with 180 hours, full electronic, out riggers, etc. for $35,000 so maybe I can find a motivated seller yet. That boat was an express and they won't work for me today.
I got interested in finding out about my gas engines since my dau. and wife, the fisherpeople, want me to put the boat in the water even with the gas engines. So, I'm thinking about that. Thanks for your help and advice. Ray"
