On Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:42:54 -0800 (PST), Dieter Evertz
wrote:

On Sunday, November 11, 2012 2:32:06 PM UTC-5, Dieter Evertz wrote:
I'm about to specify engines for a new 54' boat. I welcome some advice on what's best

for performance, noise/vibration, fuel economy, reliability, etc

one more point: I have had CAT engines in different boats but apparently they no longer
sell their C15 model which would be about the right size engine.

===

The closest current model appears to be the Cat C12:

http://marine.cat.com/cat-C12

The John Deere engines marinized by Lugger are also well regarded
although you may need more power depending on your displacement and
speed requirement:

http://www.northern-lights.com/lugger/L1276A2.html