Twin Gas vs Single or Twin Diesel

[Banjohans]

We are still shopping for our "perfect" trawler and are finding a lot of boats with twin gas motors for a lot less than either single or twin diesels. I know gas is cheaper to buy than diesel (I drive a diesel), but there has to be a reason gas motors are so much cheaper on boats. Do diesels just last longer and are SO much more dependable, or is their cost of ownership that much cheaper? What's the deal?

[S/V Antares]

Yes....

Last longer
More dependable
Cheaper to insure
If you actually go... cheaper to run
Resale value when you move on
Much safer!
Normally found on more substantial boats.

Ok, If you just want a waterfront condo on the cheap there are thousands of great deals out there, If you intend to move... a diesel has more merit.

[Banjohans]

Thanks Will. That is exactly the infromation I was looking for and kind of suspected. A diesel it shall be, the ones we liked best all had them anyway.

[psneeld]

for coastal crising and near island hopping (East Coast US)...it was a single diesel plus Sea Tow Membership for my Trawler.

At $169 a year for Sea Tow...NO engine can be bought/maintained for that!

[ATC]

When you have to do the normal oil changes, hoses & belt keep in mind;
1) the room required to get between and around the engines
2) the cost factor (twins = 2x cost)

We have a single screw trawler with clearance to walk around the engine. Not that I go there, but I can....