"charliekilo" wrote in message
.. .
I'm considering the purchase of a performance cruiser in the 40-42 foot
range: I'm looking at Sea Ray, Cruisers, Formula and Rinker all with
gasoline engines. I realize that gasoline engines can pose more of a fire
hazard than diesel but what I'm curious about is in modern vessels, how
significant is the difference in the danger?

The boat will be used more as a weekend getaway on a medium-sized inland
lake than as a cruiser so I thought gas engines would be more economical
in
the mid to short-term. i.e. rather significant lower cost of acquisition.


Another VERY GOOD reason to go diesel will be the ability to resell the boat
at a good price. Gas powered 40 footers are a drag on the used boat market.
They depreciate at a higher rate and there is a very limited market for
them. Your safety concerns are good but combine them with eventually
selling the boat and you will go diesel.