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wrote:
The type of use you describe:
"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."

The major difference between sailors and powerboaters:

When sailors take their boats out, they take 'em out to sail
'em...they're underway most of the time. Yes, they do spend some time in
anchorages, but SAILING is the reason they own the boat. Sailing doesn't
burn fuel.

Powerboaters, otoh (except for ski boat owners) are destination
boaters...they take their boats out to go somewhere. On a lake, that
usually means a cove where they can drop the anchor or raft with other
boats, toss out the float toys, turn on the stereo and stay there for
the weekend. Contrary to what most sailors think, that kind of use
doesn't burn a whole lot of fuel either. In fact, I suspect there were
weekends when my generator burned more fuel than my engines did.

Nor is that kind of use particularly good for diesel engines...they like
to run hard and long...they don't particularly like nothing but "cold
start/short hop" use (check out the diesel cars that are never used for
anything but carpool and errands...their back bumpers are always covered
in black smoke and a lot of 'em clatter). Gas engines don't have a
problem with type of use. And they're a lot better for pulling your kids
on a tube or a wakeboard, too.

So for your intended use, I'd go with the gas engine...IMO it'll be the
most economical in the long run.

And take a USCG Aux or US Power Squadron boating safety course!

Just my $.02 worth...
--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detai...=400&group=327

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