Diesel vs Gas

[potis]

Does anyone know of a good thread that covers diesel vs gas; pros / cons, etc.
esp. as pertains to 400 sedan bridge. We currently have a 340 Sundancer and are thinking our next move will be 400 Sedan Bridge. Boating on the San Joaquin Delta (not open bay or ocean, but not a lake either). With our current boat we are pretty active, using it about 30-35 weekends per year and log around 100+ hours per year. Most weekends are short cruises, 10-30 miles RT, with only the occasional long trip of 50 + miles.

 

[The crime scene]

Does anyone know of a good thread that covers diesel vs gas; pros / cons, etc.
esp. as pertains to 400 sedan bridge. We currently have a 340 Sundancer and are thinking our next move will be 400 Sedan Bridge. Boating on the San Joaquin Delta (not open bay or ocean, but not a lake either). With our current boat we are pretty active, using it about 30-35 weekends per year and log around 100+ hours per year. Most weekends are short cruises, 10-30 miles RT, with only the occasional long trip of 50 + miles.

You have answered your own question. Diesel. I have a Sedan Bridge 400 and it is a large heavy boat. I have the 300hp Cats and it is fine for what I use it for, which is 10-30 mile trips on weekends and a 300+ mile round trip once or twice a year. Most want more horse power with the 350's or larger diesels, but my setup works great with 25 knot top end when I want rev it up. Cruising at 10-14 knots is a small workout for diesels. Gas motors are laboring at that speed.......Just my opinion.

 

[potis]

Thanks Crime Scene...
One other item I have to consider is that we spend most weekends on the hook and sometimes side tied with other boats. Concerned about the diesel exhaust running the generator, which we typically only do a couple hours in the morning and a couple hours in the evening.

 

[Steve S]

Thanks Crime Scene...
One other item I have to consider is that we spend most weekends on the hook and sometimes side tied with other boats. Concerned about the diesel exhaust running the generator, which we typically only do a couple hours in the morning and a couple hours in the evening.

What is your concern? No CO with a diesel. There is a little CO2... https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...ved=0ahUKEwiQ2KKCsc7WAhWEiRoKHU8YC4gQ9QEILDAA

 

[Quint4]

CO

 

[potis]

I should have been more clear. Exhaust smell when sitting in cockpit area would be the concern, not CO. I'm a total newbie when it comes to the 400 and in diesel experience. I have always had gas engine boats.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

We don't spend a lot of time on the hook rafted to others but when we have, running the genny hasn't been a big problem. Out on the delta its rare that there is not a breeze anyway that keeps the area well ventilated!

 

[NorCal Boater]

We went from gas to diesel. You just can't get away from some diesel smell but Carp is right....if there is no breeze in the Delta you won't wanna be outside anyway. It really won't be a factor.

When I was in the Delta we would go with the Yacht Club to Devil's Island a couple of times a year. Nice spot but no power. We ran the gennys all weekend. No one ever complained of the smell. However, if its really a concern you could install a 2500 or 3000 watt inverter and 4-6 golf cart batteries. You would only have to run the genny an hour in the morning and/or evening to top off the batteries. The inverter won't run the AC but the Delta usually cools down at night. It really won't be an issue.

Lastly, if you are thinking of a boat the size of a 40db you really don't want gassers. When you get into moving that kind of mass through the water you need torque, not HP. And that kind of torque only comes from diesels.

Shawn

 

[JVM225]

My diesels have a smell at lower speeds for prolonged periods of time, but I've run my genny for several hours at a time on the hook pretty often and diesel smell has never been a problem