hynespa
Well-Known Member
- Jun 7, 2010
- 314
- Boat Info
- 2005 420 Sundancer
- Engines
- T-VD-8.1 S HO MerCruiser (T-420 hp)
GAS vs DIESEL FUEL COST
I know on this forum there is an endless debate on the merits of gas vs diesel. My 2005 420 Sundancer has Twin 8.1 Horizon gas engines - which probably puts me in the minority for this particular boat - as it seems like 60-70% of the members of this 420/440 thread have Cummins diesels.
One of the things I think is missing is some facts around total cost of ownership for maintenance and fuel for diesels vs gas engines. We know that Diesels have a higher resale value than gas - I thought it would be interesting to see some facts on fuel cost / burn between the two.
I submit myself as the guinea pig for gas engines.
Here are some facts about my gas engine fuel burn test:
And here are the costs for both diesel and gas fuel at my marina (as of Aug 18):
My ask is that some of the folks on this thread with Cummins diesels could do a similar speed vs burn test. For comparison purposes use diesel fuel cost of $4.419 per gallon (and/or also note at your marina both the diesel cost as well as the gas cost).
I think this would help provide some quantitative data for people looking to buy 42/44 Sundancers and seeing a significant price distance for gas vs diesel boats.
I know on this forum there is an endless debate on the merits of gas vs diesel. My 2005 420 Sundancer has Twin 8.1 Horizon gas engines - which probably puts me in the minority for this particular boat - as it seems like 60-70% of the members of this 420/440 thread have Cummins diesels.
One of the things I think is missing is some facts around total cost of ownership for maintenance and fuel for diesels vs gas engines. We know that Diesels have a higher resale value than gas - I thought it would be interesting to see some facts on fuel cost / burn between the two.
I submit myself as the guinea pig for gas engines.
Here are some facts about my gas engine fuel burn test:
- It was just me in the boat with moderate seas out in Santa Monica Bay.
- I had to stop the test at 18 knots because of these moderate seas washing over the bow of the boat.
- My speed measurements are not perfect because I changed directions a few times vs the swell - but they do give a general idea of fuel burn vs speed.
- I chose to generally measure in 200RPM increments.
- The fuel cost is based on the cost at the one (and only) fuel dock in Marina del Rey. They give a quantity discount - and I took on over 200 gallons - so my final fuel cost was ~$4.988 / gal.
- I included total fuel cost vs time for a 30NM trip. This distance is relevant to me as this is the distance between Marina del Rey and Two Harbors on Catalina Island.
- I took a pic of fuel costs at the marina for August 18, 2018. I captured in the pic both the diesel and gas costs. I know these costs vary by region due to taxes, etc.
And here are the costs for both diesel and gas fuel at my marina (as of Aug 18):
My ask is that some of the folks on this thread with Cummins diesels could do a similar speed vs burn test. For comparison purposes use diesel fuel cost of $4.419 per gallon (and/or also note at your marina both the diesel cost as well as the gas cost).
I think this would help provide some quantitative data for people looking to buy 42/44 Sundancers and seeing a significant price distance for gas vs diesel boats.