[trit21]

Not knowing where you are from and how you use the boat it is hard to justify so I will let you know in FL, diesel is about $.40 -.50 less than gas. We use our boat on Bahamas trips, 200 + mile legs and I would not want gas for anything like that at all. Diesels engines are not hard to work on at all, actually I think they are easier to work on. Most people feel they are a magical engine and only mechanics can work on them. Any modern engine is horrible gas or diesel. Computer and sensors have screwed the days of working on your own unless you are computer tech with all the gadgets. Diesel has more torque and are easier to dock, safer when on the hook due to no (or very very little) carbon monoxide. Diesel is just a safer fuel than gas period especially when on the hook. Diesel engines will give you many many more hours of run time than gas if regular maintenance is done. I know some have over 10,000 hours of diesel commercial boats with no problems. They do all the maintenance. Show me a gas boat with that many hours. Diesel resale (at least here in FL) is much greater especially if you have maintenance records indicating when maintenance was done. ON another note, if you are looking purely at the cost of diesel vs gas, you will never justify a diesel as yes they do cost more initially and the cost savings of fuel vs gas is not going to even out, but the safety factor, resale, enjoyment of long trips and fuel range, knowing diesel is available in the Bahamas, and long fishing trips makes a diesel the only way to go, for some. IMO.