Diesel experience anyone?

[greggmck]

I am considering diesel power for my 2021 boat and wanted to hear any feedback regarding the diesel option for the G.

I'm particularly intetested in:

Throttle response
Noise levels
Smell while surfing
Fuel economy
Reliably
Service issues
Stock prop diameter/pitch
Anything else unique to diesel power

Thanks in advance for any feedback provided via public post or private dm!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[jjackkrash]

I have no experience with the Yanmar in the G, but for this application I bet its better than the gas engine in every way except the initial upcharge (which I heard is like $40k). Diesel tech is awesome these days and Yanmar is one of the best at diesel tech.

[greggmck]

I completely agree that diesel technology should be superior to gas engines in this application. Also the Yanmar 8LV has nearly a 10 year history of solid performance in outstanding boats like Bertram, Hinckley and many others. But I don't know anyone who has experience with it for surfing and more importantly how well it has been integrated into the Nautique systems. I think we all agree, the problems that keep us off the water are not usually drive train, but DTC errors or LINC SW issues etc...

[Cpan13]

What would be your (or anyone’s) incentive to spend an additional $40k on a diesel option? There’s no way you’ll save that in fuel efficiency over the 1 year you keep your boat.

[greggmck]

My primary reason for considering the diesel option is not to save money however the savings are surprisingly substantial. Fuel prices at my marina (we keep a slip and do not trailer) are as high as $5.34 for regular fuel and only $1.72 for diesel (they offer substantial discounts for regular diesel customers). At 275 hours per season I spend about $9500 on fuel. (275 hrs * 6.5 gal/hour * $5.34/gal = $9545). Diesel fuel is not only cheaper but I have heard expected fuel consumption for the diesel to be about 4.5 gal/hour. If that is true the savings could be about $7400 / year. (275 hrs * 4.5 gal/hour * $1.72/gal = $2128. I would never pay $40,000 for the diesel option just like I don't pay list price for my G.

[gary s]

I'm a member of a Shamrock boat forum- many of their later models had diesels. Never paid much attention to them because 1- don't want one 2- had a a VW and a Volvo with diesels and vowed never to own a diesel again. Anyway can't remember if it was Cummins or Yamar that have/had issues with exhaust elbows and turbos something to check into. Another thing to think of- who is going to service and repair them.You think your Nautique dealer is going to have an experienced diesel tech sitting around waiting for something to do? And then only has work 6 months a year? If your experienced your writing your own ticket working in some yard maybe even somewhere warm all year long. Then not to mention bacteria in fuel-https://fuelandfriction.com/trucking...-fuel-prevent/ Not many of you keep boats very long so maybe these items would not be a concern

[blueroom]

I typically drive newer model diesel pickups, mostly because of the my extracurricular activities and desire for fuel savings. In my option/experience, the worst engine option on the road. So many issues and funky things. Boats are already unreliable enough. The engines are the one thing that doesn't seem to break on them. I wouldn't be able to do it, no matter the fuel savings, but I look forward to hearing how others like them. I just can't see the cost savings for the up-charge penciling out, as well as probably greater depreciation compared to a gasser when it comes time to sell. And that first time you vent diesel down the side of your boat or elsewhere, forget about it.

[jjackkrash]

Fuel savings would be nice, but probably not in the top 10 reasons I would think diesel is a better option for a tug boat that needs to churn along all day moving a high drag, heavy load. Diesel engines provide extremely smooth usable torque at lower rpms all day long. I would also bet the diesel gets 4 to 5 times the service life (or more) as its gas counterpart in this application.