Marc Auslander wrote:
"Lee308" writes:


1) Diesel inboard or over the stern gas outboard?
Outboard easy to reach and repair/replace, no worry of shaft seal
leak and less thru hulls, but small diesel's are very fuel efficient
plus large alternator.


I've never known an outboard that didn't fail - when you most needed
it. A single hander hanging over the stern in bad weather trying to
deal with an outboard is not a pretty picture.

Agreed.


Also, in my little experience with outboards on larger boats, they
become less effective in a seaway, as the prop is continually near or
above the surface of the water.

Agreed.


And an outboard implies storing and dealing with gasoline in loose tanks.

Definitely not true. There are many, many outboard powered boats with
normal, built in tanks. However, a lot of smaller "trailer sailors"
do have portable tanks, which is probably the best way to carry 6 or
12 gallons of gas.


I single hand my Tartan 30, which has a Yanmar diesel. The fact that
I can just "push the button" any time I need power - no waiting for
fumes to clear as with a gasoline inboard - no fear it won't start as
with an outboard - makes me feel much safer always, and particularly
when alone.

I generally agree. Until, of course, when you wrap a lobsta pot on
the prop!