Carver 366 With Diesel

[andrepio]

Hi,

New to this board. I currently have a 1993 Baja 290 and geetuing to a point in our life where we need more comfirt than spped so we are in the process of upgrading our current boat and we like the 2003 to 2007 Carver 366. I love the look o fthe boat and the setuo inside. Lots of room and love the sepereate state rooms.

I am leaning towards getting the diesels only to reduce running costs. I was wondering if anyone here has this boat with diesel engines and how the boat performs with these engines? I was able to find some info with the 7,4s gas but nothing on teh diesels. Looking for fuel consumption and cruising speed and anything to look for when it comes to diesel engines. I never owned a boat with a diesel engine before.

Thanks

Andre

[g36]

Ah gas vs diesel debate . I have a gas 405. Thought diesel was what I needed but I'm perfectly fine with my gas. I can do all the work needed and I wouldn't travel enough to make a diesel boat come out. Thats my situation everyone is different. A couple questions,, How much do you really travel during the season? Can you repair your own gas motors now? Around 1mile per gallon is about the norm on the gas boat depending on speed or tide etc. There will be others with diesel than can give their thoughts too. Welcome aboard.

[Midnightsun]

Welcome, cannot help you out on your question but even though I have been boating most of my life, diesels were new to me when I got the Carver. A bit of a learning curve but not bad at all. They are very economical compared to gas engines, especially at hull speed.

[bud37]

Welcome to the forum.....do your homework here, diesel power is much safer, fuel efficient, handle better around the docks due to larger props etc......... also comes with higher initial and maintenance costs along with a higher resale value.

There are always some trade offs that should be considered, usage hours per year/ expected range and areas of use......will you be able to find competent mechanics to service your choice of boat.

Good luck with your search, have fun with it.....

[andrepio]

Thanks for the replys. We do around 50 hours a year. To guesstimate mileage to comapre to the 1 mile per gallon I think it wouild translate to around 300 miles. I guess I should mention that another attraction of diesel is the longevity of the engines. Going into retirement and income will be limited, this is supposed to be the last boat we buy so I am trying to avoid having to deal with any kind of engine rebuilds in the long run as the theory is the diesel engines should outlast the boat life.

We are in fresh water, we boat around lake Ontario upto Geogian bay. Doing the loop is a hope which may never materialize but I am thinking having a diesel boat would make it more achievable cost wise.

I do basic service on my engines currently like tune ups, oil changes, changing starters, alternators and the like and winterization. I understand gas engines much more than diesel so it will be a learning curve. I would be lying if I say that I do have some reservations on owning a diesel boat based on past experiene with diesel trucks.

Midnightsun, your comment about the learning curve makes me feel more comfortable with diesels. As per your and bud37 comments diesel is more economical/fuel efficient which is what I would like to quantify. Are we talking half the consumption? That is my experience with my diesel car at highway speed. Would it be the same for boats?

Thanks

Andre

[Midnightsun]

Are we talking half the consumption? That is my experience with my diesel car at highway speed. Would it be the same for boats?

I would guesstimate 25% at optimum cruise and 40% at hull speed.

[g36]

I would think at 50 hrs per year any motors will last quite a number of years especially in fresh water. That's what I'm in but way south of you. More gas here than diesel. . Seems diesel motors like to be used often from my understanding or run more. Many of us think we try to buy our last boat or get it right and then end up wanting something different in a few years . Whatever you choose good luck with your search.

[andrepio]

Source of the post Many of us think we try to buy our last boat or get it right and then end up wanting something different in a few years . Whatever you choose good luck with your search.

So true, two-fotitis is chronis disease that all boaters have to live with. I am also finding that finding a diesel 366 will not be an easy task and will limit my selection, I will keep learning and decide. Its exciting just to think about buying a new boat so this is an adventure.

[bud37]

Source of the post I guess I should mention that another attraction of diesel is the longevity of the engines. Going into retirement and income will be limited, this is supposed to be the last boat we buy so I am trying to avoid having to deal with any kind of engine rebuilds in the long run as the theory is the diesel engines should outlast the boat life.

This is one thing that does not apply across the board. Marine diesel engine longevity is directly tied to a few things......one being the substance ( weight ) of the engine block itself, another being how much fuel gets put thru it.....this will be tied to the HP....the higher the HP the more fuel the less life. Of course this also depends on how it is run..........low hp engines in trawlers and sail sip fuel and last for many many thousands of hours before major rebuilds....the higher HP lightweight turbos pushing heavy boats on plane do not get that sort of longevity. It is just the way it is.

If you are only at 50 or so hours a year you may be better to just stick with gas, IMHO it will be considerably cheaper, both to buy and service.

Personally speaking I would rather deal with gas engine replacement than diesel at this point.....unless you get an older boat with engines that can be rebuilt in frame ( in the boat )....still big bucks for someone on a budget.

I do agree about the trucks/cars...I have spent my fair share maintaining/repairing diesel engines in both...they were fuel efficient and useful for the purpose but the costs kinda evened any of that out.

As usual these are my thought thru opinions on the never ending gas diesel debate. Good discussion though.....

[Midnightsun]

My biggest fear when I purchased this boat is....what if I lose an engine? To rebuild in place or remove and exchange will be 5x if not more than a gas engine.

I can replace a gas engine myself, in fact I pulled my twin 5.7 LX engines from my previous boat and put in Merc 383's. Piece of cake and cost nothing in comparison to replacing a diesel. Just keep my fingers crossed and upkeep my diesels with great care.

I purchased this boat with almost no price difference because it had diesels so it was not like I paid a premium for them. They are really great but the replacement fear still lingers way back in my mind.