Buying 2001 410DA 454 gas vs. Diesel

[Far57]

As we get more into the summer and use the boat, I have not really worried about the fuel. It’s been reasonable for our type of boating for now. Definitely would consider diesels should I ever decide to upgrade, but I am happy with my decisions and we are enjoying the experiences so far. Actually, only topic we discuss consistently is the weather. Planning around that has been more of the issue.

 

[CaptBobO]

In the same "boat" as you're looking to buy.
We live on the water, so most of our boating is cocktail harbor cruising, going to friends houses and occasional runs up the river to stretch her legs.
I looked at diesels as well, but the cost difference just didn't make sense for me. We don't do a lot of long runs, and sometimes I only run the boat 15 min to friends houses and shut her down. Thats not really something diesels like. They like to run and run hard at that. They are built for it.
Plus, the gasser that I bought, had new Merc 8.1s installed a few years ago and only had 320 hours on them. So that was a major selling point.
We really enjoy our boat, and for what we do, it suits us just well.
Fuel tip: dont let it get to half a tank. Top her off well before that. It doesn't hurt as bad. haha

 

[douglee25]

I am on an inland lake in Texas and I would say it takes an hr to 1.5 hrs to go end to end. I put on about 50-60 hrs a year and that's using it 2-3 days every week from April/May to Sept/Oct. We usually run out to a cove and drop anchor for the day. No reason for me or others on the lake to own a diesel boat (some do). Now if I was still boating by the Jersey Shore/Chesapeake Bay area, I would strongly consider diesels for that type of boating. We used to run on average about 50 miles round trip for dinner without blinking an eye. Diesel would seem more appropriate for that type of boating.

 

[Woody]

A friend, new to boats, wouldn't consider a diesel. So he owned a couple .6-.7mpg boats...last year end of season he had enough of paying twice as much for fuel as we did on the same trip, put his boat up for sale and went diesel shopping. Most of the time, 90+%, we are up on plane, I'm cruising at about 3.80/mi and he was at 7.25/mi. His cruise mph was also slower, always the last guy to get to where we're going.

His higher fuel burn = less range and that cost him extra $$ too. If we went to Isle Royale I didn't have to fuel up, he always did and payed the inflated fuel prices out there.

Another diesel benefit shows up in rough conditions. The ability to throttle back more, drop the tabs, stay on plane in an effort to get in better sync with the waves. Pulling the rpms down and losing speed when your cutting hard on every wave
is minimal and you have more to work with in those conditions.

The fuel prices at our marina are currently 3.65 diesel, 4.45 gas. If your running a .6mpg gasser you're burning an additional 3.75/mile compared to a 1mpg diesel.

Last year I used my boat little, the same so far this year....I hope the rest of the season is different so I can put some miles on, burn some gallons of fuel, and 'save some money' with these diesels.

 

[Strecker25]

A friend, new to boats, wouldn't consider a diesel. So he owned a couple .6-.7mpg boats...last year end of season he had enough of paying twice as much for fuel as we did on the same trip, put his boat up for sale and went diesel shopping. Most of the time, 90+%, we are up on plane, I'm cruising at about 3.80/mi and he was at 7.25/mi. His cruise mph was also slower, always the last guy to get to where we're going.

His higher fuel burn = less range and that cost him extra $$ too. If we went to Isle Royale I didn't have to fuel up, he always did and payed the inflated fuel prices out there.

Another diesel benefit shows up in rough conditions. The ability to throttle back more, drop the tabs, stay on plane in an effort to get in better sync with the waves. Pulling the rpms down and losing speed when your cutting hard on every wave
is minimal and you have more to work with in those conditions.

The fuel prices at our marina are currently 3.65 diesel, 4.45 gas. If your running a .6mpg gasser you're burning an additional 3.75/mile compared to a 1mpg diesel.

Last year I used my boat little, the same so far this year....I hope the rest of the season is different so I can put some miles on, burn some gallons of fuel, and 'save some money' with these diesels.

I experienced the “set it and forget” of Diesel yesterday in a following sea. Amazing to watch and feel the boat climb the next wave and not lose speed or require additional throttle. I was constantly working the throttles with our gas engines on our previous boat

 

[Stee6043]

A friend, new to boats, wouldn't consider a diesel. So he owned a couple .6-.7mpg boats...last year end of season he had enough of paying twice as much for fuel as we did on the same trip, put his boat up for sale and went diesel shopping. Most of the time, 90+%, we are up on plane, I'm cruising at about 3.80/mi and he was at 7.25/mi. His cruise mph was also slower, always the last guy to get to where we're going.

His higher fuel burn = less range and that cost him extra $$ too. If we went to Isle Royale I didn't have to fuel up, he always did and payed the inflated fuel prices out there.

Another diesel benefit shows up in rough conditions. The ability to throttle back more, drop the tabs, stay on plane in an effort to get in better sync with the waves. Pulling the rpms down and losing speed when your cutting hard on every wave
is minimal and you have more to work with in those conditions.

The fuel prices at our marina are currently 3.65 diesel, 4.45 gas. If your running a .6mpg gasser you're burning an additional 3.75/mile compared to a 1mpg diesel.

Last year I used my boat little, the same so far this year....I hope the rest of the season is different so I can put some miles on, burn some gallons of fuel, and 'save some money' with these diesels.

Ignoring annual maintenance expense differences, you fellas are just one small turbo rebuild away from never breaking even on those diesels

I guess I'm not sure on the folks you're running with but the diesel 400/410's around me all run about the same speed as me, comfortably, around 23kts? I always assumed the 2,000+lbs less weight we carry makes up for the lack of torque when cruising. I could be way off though...

 

[Strecker25]

Ignoring annual maintenance expense differences, you fellas are just one small turbo rebuild away from never breaking even on those diesels

I guess I'm not sure on the folks you're running with but the diesel 400/410's around me all run about the same speed as me, comfortably, around 23kts? I always assumed the 2,000+lbs less weight we carry makes up for the lack of torque when cruising. I could be way off though...

View attachment 108497

how about two of those turbos like I just did?

absolutely zero chance I save money in the long term buying a diesel boat over gas. We don’t run enough hours and the season is short. Our boat was the best one I could find, I love the way it runs with these engines, and I just like diesel power (I bought a lot of CAT shirts).

oh, and I don’t even run as fast - this weeks 80 miles we’re done at 20 knots

 

[juggernaut1]

I experienced the “set it and forget” of Diesel yesterday in a following sea. Amazing to watch and feel the boat climb the next wave and not lose speed or require additional throttle. I was constantly working the throttles with our gas engines on our previous boat

I agree with the 8.1's lacking torque in the open ocean with swells, followings seas etc. I sometimes holiday at a local island 20klm's offshore and notice it most on these trips. Coastal offshore cruising not so much.

To be fair though, if the 8.1's were turbo'd like the diesels I doubt there would be any noticeable difference in performance.

 

[Strecker25]

I agree with the 8.1's lacking torque in the open ocean with swells, followings seas etc. I sometimes holiday at a local island 20klm's offshore and notice it most on these trips. Coastal offshore cruising not so much.

To be fair though, if the 8.1's were turbo'd like the diesels I doubt there would be any noticeable difference in performance.

oh I’m sure. They’re really amazing engines and make a tremendous amount of power. I’ve been on a 340 with them and it was an absolute rocket

 

[juggernaut1]

oh I’m sure. They’re really amazing engines and make a tremendous amount of power. I’ve been on a 340 with them and it was an absolute rocket

I wouldn't say the 38 with these motors is a rocket, with the extra weight, fuel and water capacities, but she gets along just fine.