On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 07:59:37 -0400, "Roger Long"
wrote:

The real world, reported experience, here and other places, is that with the
typical sailboat set up, 12 -15 is a bear and 20 can be done but not
reliably. I talked to a fellow yesterday who got his 3 cylinder going once
but was never able to duplicate the feat.

When hand starting a diesel a wee shot of starting ether can make all
the difference, emergencies only of course. If you can get enough
flywheel momentum to take you through one or two compression strokes,
that is usually enough.