Will Nautiques add new DIESEL engine ?

[jwt226]

I just like to know if any one hear about plan put Diesel engine on the boat. I hear one from Malibu > http://www.marinedieselusa.com/html/malibu.html

I hope Nautique open mind to add in.

Thank you,

[Onthewater]

no

[SGY]

I can't imagine. Gas motors are just better suited, in my opinion. Despite what the article says relating to on and off all the time, I can't envision a diesel living and doing well in a marine enviorment. We just turn those things on and off too much. Also, can you imagine the time it would take to warm 15 quarts of oil? I'll stick with a gas motor. Besides, the diesel in that picture is the old GM 6.5. What a piece of junk.

[josh]

Your thinking on diesel engines is about 20 years old! It isn't that way any more. It takes know more to start or stop that a gasser. Plus they would be using a blower and not a turbo. That is your only concern on shut down of a diesel.

[jwt226]

Oh, ok. I just wonder.
Thank you for simple info.
I understood that if people hate smell or wait for warm up too long etc.... or even behind skiier or wakeer will get full BLACK face from exhaust. :lol:
Have wonderful day and think safety.

[josh]

I for one would be the first in line for a diesel if I could afford a new boat. Not to mention the fact that you would get 40% better fuel economy. If they would have only used a duramax or a power stroke (must be v8 configured) they would be on top of things.

[jefe]

I personally think they should, with Gasoline prices at a all time high, the new Diesels that are coming out, IMO, are better suited for the wakeboarding environment. Yes, I think it would be better than gas. You get better efficiency, lower fuel prices, and more torque. The only thing I would balk at, which would probably happen, is the 5-10 thousand upgrade to Diesel cost that would be applied. I still think they should look into it though.

[josh]

one thing is for shore. If the offered them there would not be much of a need for ballast. you would get an extra 800-1000# right of the top.

[SGY]

I've owned several newer diesel trucks. Every diesel mechanic I've ever spoken to has always said, let it warm up, be careful what kind of fuel you put in it, and don't use it as a daily commuter. Turning off a diesel motor often not only causes harm because of the turbo bake (which isn't a concern with a SC, I agree) but also because of the higher sulphur content in diesel fuels which must be burned off. Not a problem with over the road truckers or light trucks used for long range towing or highway travel. It is a problem with the guy that drives eight miles to work and shuts the motor off. Same problem, IMHO, with an inboard boat--turning on and off the diesel contaminates the oil. And, even though diesels, because of the high compression involved, are more efficient, they also take more normal maintenance. Oil changes must be stricky adhered to (15 quarts) as well as regular fuel filter changes. You also have to worry about treating your coolant to avoid cavitation erosion--still a problem on these gas converted V-8 powerstrokes and duramax. (The only true diesel used in light trucks is the Cummings in line six.) With the extra maintenance costs and extra cost for the motor itself, you can buy alot of gas. I sold my last diesel because I just couldn't justify driving it a short distance to work every day.

I guess the bottom line is, what's wrong with the gas motors. They work great. They are quite, smooth, and don't smell. They are also lighter and take up less room. We get all the torgue we need--espeically in light of some people complaining that the pull from the Nautique is quite stiff and unforgiving in the course. Alot of skiers I speak to are working hard on freeing up from the boat. The gassers are also very efficient, IMO. I usually spend more for gas getting to the lake than I do filling the boat up.

Just my .02 cents.

[josh]

I do agree with some of that but not all. None of the big three diesel are gas converts. They are all ground up constructed diesels. The old 6.5 was a type of convert. But that is history. The problem with short trips drivers (under 10 miles) It doesn't get to temp. Once it is at temp It is fine to do short trips. Yes they hold more oil but the have much longer change intervals. It all comes down to personal preference and how you use your boat.

[SGY]

Interesting. I'll have to check my sources. But, in speaking with GM, Ford and Dodge mechanics, I understood that even the newer Ford and GM power plants were gas converts. Maybe what they were saying is that the V-8 design lends more towards a gas type motor. I always understood that because of the heat dissipation attributes of a straight six make that motor the cat's meow--as opposed to a V-8. Granted diesels have gotten alot quieter and better the last five years. But they are still monsters. Also, I'm not sure I agree with the longer oil change interval issue. When I owned by Powerstroke, every mechanic told me that changing the oil every 3,000 miles was the most important thing I could do. Other than the sulphur contamination issue, I'm not sure why, though. Someone told me once that it has to do with the fact that the oil on the POwerstroke does more than just lubricate. I vaguely recall that the oil plays a part in operation of the fuel injectors. Not sure about that.

P.S. I'm pretty sure the old 7.3 Powerstroke was a gas conversion. I believe it was the 460 block punched out. The consequent thin cylinder walls made this motor especially vulnerable to cavitation erosion.

[josh]

Not a 100% on the power stroke but I think you are correct on the original one. The gas blocks will not hold up to the pressures that a diesel will produce. Yours was designed to be a diesel. I think the original like the 6.5 was the converts. The 6.6 duramax is a new motor from the ground up. Don't know if you have ever seen the internals of a diesel but it is unreal the size of the parts compared to gassers. GM and Ford run the V8 engine for simplicity and the fact the only other in line worth a dang had all ready been taken. The Cummings would have to many fitment problems in a ski boat. I would not have any of the older diesel after driving the new ones. My new one is so quiet you don't even know it is an oil burner on the highway. On your oil change, it's never hurts to change it early. I send samples of my oil off for analysis to get a fill for the change intervals. Until that is done all you can do is guess. Gm says 10K on my new one. There is know way that is OK. Mine runs out at about 5K.

[FatBoy]

Interesting. I'll have to check my sources. But, in speaking with GM, Ford and Dodge mechanics, I understood that even the newer Ford and GM power plants were gas converts.

Also, I'm not sure I agree with the longer oil change interval issue. When I owned by Powerstroke, every mechanic told me that changing the oil every 3,000 miles was the most important thing I could do.

P.S. I'm pretty sure the old 7.3 Powerstroke was a gas conversion. I believe it was the 460 block punched out. The consequent thin cylinder walls made this motor especially vulnerable to cavitation erosion.

The 7.3 as well as the new 6.0 diesel is a true diesel. They are actually made by International, they never made a 460 gas motor, that is a Ford motor. I have the 04 F-250 with the 6.0 and I change my oil every 7,500 and my fuel filter every 15,000. A friend of mine has a 7.3 F-250 he has used on the farm for years (ie: very short trips, switched on and off a lot) and has over 200,000 miles on. He has changed his oil and fuel filter on the same schedule I do and the only thing he has had to do other than routine mait. is replace the water pump.

[jwt226]

Interesting... ok accpet your coment about the Diesel.
Sound like more responsiblity than gas. Someday in future will be better or difference kind engine than we expect it
I agree with about HIGH torque & better fuel economy. Yes, we do often turn "ON" & "OFF" alot. Better of stay with gas.

Thank you for your time and answer my question.

[FatBoy]

Another very important point about diesel in a boat, you could buy NON-HIGHWAY diesel for it that is .30 cents a gallon cheaper than the HIGHWAY diesel.