Will be buying an approx 55' housecruiser to live aboard full time in approx 20 months- retirement. Intend to do a lot of cruising in the inland waters and the intercoastal- approx 4,000 miles/year. Would appreciate experienced advice on whether to aquire gasoline or diesel engines. What are the pros and cons. Any assistance would be deeply appreciated.

DIESEL MINUS'S

HIGHER INITIAL INVESTMENT (HOWEVER 50% TO 80% OF PREMIUM IS RECOVERED WHEN SELLING.

SERVICE CHARGES ARE USUALLY MORE PER EVENT THAN WITH GAS ENGINES. HOWEVER THIS REALLY TURNS INTO A PLUS BECAUSE THESE EVENTS ARE RARE IF YOU KEEP YOUR FUEL FILTERS SERVICED.

OIL CHANGES TAKE TWICE AS MANY QUARTS OF OIL.

FUEL FILTERS REQUIRE SERVICE MORE OFTEN.



DIESEL PLUS'S

DIESEL ENGINES LAST 5,000 TO 10,000+ HOURS BETWEEN OVERHAULS

DIESEL BOATS GET 50% TO 100+% MORE DISTANCE PER GALLON

DIESEL FUEL IS .25 TO .50+ CHEAPER THAN GASOLENE

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS ARE LESS WITH DIESEL

THE LARGER THE BOAT THE EASIER THE SELL WITH DIESEL. SOME BOATS ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SELL UNLESS THEY HAVE DIESEL POWER.

THE THROB OF A SMOOTH RUNNING PAIR OF DIESELS MAKE YOU FEEL GOOOOOOOOOOD.

RODD DIEHL

Thanks for your response- appologize for delay in getting back to you. Happy hollidays. I posted another message on Dec 27. If you are also in a planning stage, would like to communicate. I still have many questions concerning diesel engines- is the addtional $25-30 K really worth it. As well as many other questions about liveaboard houseboating fulltime. Thanks again.