Q Which is best: petrol engine or diesel engine?
A Generally speaking, as there are very few outboard diesel engines available and very few RIBs are powered by inboard petrol engines, the comparison between petrol and diesel fuelled engines is also a comparison between outboard and inboard engines. There are pros and cons with each. Currently in the UK there is a huge price difference between petrol and marine ('red') diesel due to the much lower tax levied on marine diesel, resulting in a quayside price of 25p - 35p per litre for diesel. There is currently some uncertainty whether this exemption will continue if the UK harmonises its tax system with that of Europe.
Outboard petrol engine
- cheaper to buy but not so good resale value
- higher fuel costs
- more limited availability of fuel at the quayside
- outboard engine gives more room in boat
- greater risk of fire
- lighter
Inboard diesel engine
- more expensive to buy but better resale value
- lower fuel costs
- good availability of fuel at the quayside
- inboard engine takes up room in the boat
- lower risk of fire
- heavier
- widespread problems exist with particular stern drive legs
- one popular model may suffer engine block failures due to poor engine mount design
- the new, smaller, lightweight diesels (120hp - 160hp) have not yet shown any mechanical weaknesses
Previous discussions:
Bravo 3 Legs Apr 04
inboard engine: pro and con Jan 04
What size does Diesel become viable Oct 03
To go diesel or petrol Sept 03
Broken Yanmars Dec 02
Diesel v petrol (AGAIN!) Mar 02
Optimax & 4 Stroke Vs Diesel Nov 01
Inboard / outboard Oct 01
Diesel engines May 00
Other references:
http://www.rya.org.uk/images/uploade...1210_final.pdf
