*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: Dignity's got nuthin' ta do with it. You're hangin' out with us now! Syd the sloth (Iceage)
I am in the process of shopping for a boat. I can't decide whether to buy a 28ft with twin gas or 28ft with a single diesel.
The boat is mainly for fishing near and occasionally offshore and money is not the limiting factor.
gas inboards? If so, I would pick the diesel. It will run forever, it's efficient, simple to work on (relatively), cheaper to maintain, single engine wil give you more room to access, and it doesn't pose the same risk that gas inboards do. It's a closer call for me if you're talking gas outboards.
Assume you mean twin gas inboard vs. single diesel inboards.
I'd suggest that you pick out the boat you are looking at, then see what the power plant options are. Some boats perform better with 2 engines, others may not even have a twin engine set up to even consider.
When you start looking at boats under 28ft, do not rule out single gas engine inboard-- may be the "best" option after looking at all the costs associated with a boat. (teh $15-20k price difference buys a lot of fuel....especially if range is not a concern.
Have fun looking and researching. Tons of info. Read Pascoe's articles on gas v. diesel. Good info there.
James, im kinda partial but ill give you my experiance with a single diesel. Ive never owned a twin outboard boat. I can imagine the single may be cheaper upfront. The single boat should ride better because of the motor being forward and this is great for offshore. The boat will overall be slower than a twin OB I think that cost to run and economy is important now for everyone, a single will have tons of power and burn a fraction of the fuel a twin outboard does. A single diesel is very dependable and will last a liftime if mantained properly. there is no problem running long distance offshore in a single diesel, actually the range of the boat will be great. Youll never have to worry about how much fuel you have in the tanks for the return trip. There is a fleet of large sportish boats in Oregan inlet that run single diesel for offshore charters. Now what you may expect. My boat is a 24 Bimini marine center console with a cuddy, i have a Yanmar 240 turbo straight inboard. My boat has been tested by boaters magazine at 5 gallons an hour at cruise 25knots. WOT is 30knots. I run to the canyons 120miles round trip trollin 8 hours and fill up when i get back to the dock 45 gallons, sometimes less burn. My tanks are 120 gallons so there is a ton of reserve. Range is near 500miles. There is alot to said about having a clean transom to fish off of,, pretty hard when you have twin OB. Good luck in your decision. Bill
Oh yeah,, one more thing is resale value,, diesel wins hands down!!!
In general, the twin gas boat will be more maneuverable, faster, and usually less initial investment. The single diesel boat will cost less to operate and, assuming similar fuel capacity, will have greater range. A single well maintained powerplant may well be more reliable than a pair of poorly maintained ones, but if the twins are set up with completely separate fuel and electrical systems you at least have one to get you home. If the single dies, you're hosed. There's nothing that gets your attention more than when you're way offshore and the only engine you've got makes the least unusual noise; the rest of your day is spent worrying and listening.
A bit more information regarding the specific boats in consideration would be helpful.
Hmmm, two 502 big blocks with Eikert exhausts, twin intercooled Whipple superchargers, EFI, big camshaft, that's about what, 1200 or so horsepower per engine and that'll build for about 25 grand each. 2400 reliable hp for about 50 large. You can get to the canyons in about 60 minutes with cleaver style props.
Single diesel; maybe 250 hp, weighs about the same as the two 502s, about 15k. Three hours to get to the canyons.
You tell me which option is more fun.
__________________ Bill Adams
66 109 2A Safari Wagon
93 LWB
Allmand 23 Ticonderoga Chevy 350 EFI Cobra IO
Carver Mariner hybrid cuddy twin jet drives Ford EFI 5.0 HOs
Surprisingly, there are people out there who can have this and not think twice about it. I'm not one of course, but you DO have options if you have means.
__________________ Bill Adams
66 109 2A Safari Wagon
93 LWB
Allmand 23 Ticonderoga Chevy 350 EFI Cobra IO
Carver Mariner hybrid cuddy twin jet drives Ford EFI 5.0 HOs
If Team Bill Me is "bimini24cc" from TF, then I fished on that boat last summer out of OI! 35 miles to the canyons, 6 hours of trolling, and 38 miles back and we used about 30 gallons of diesel. The ONLY drawback was not having bow thrusters. There is no steerage in reverse.
So that means I'm w/ the guy who said "Single diesel with bow thrusters"......
I got a 24' cc with a Volvo D4 260 hp 70 hrs ago. Have to say that it is great, cruising at 29 kn, tops at 35 kn, and burns little fuel. In the 50 hrs since last refueling, it seems like 2 gph. That's a mix of trolling and running--I'm going on a long cruise this weekend and will report.
Lots of torque with the oil burner, so getting on a plane seems instant. Pretty quiet; no smoke from a new common rail.
I'm in the energy game, so I bought this boat with $5/gal in mind. That was last year. I think if you get a new boat, planning on $8 is a good idea. I wanted to turn the key and go w/o even thinking about $. Fuel is gonna be so expensive that if you don't own a refinery......
Single engine offshore? Sea Tow, eprib, real liferaft.
Sorry for the late reply, working to pay for the gas this summer.
The boats I am considering have either a twin outboard gas or a single inboard diesel.
Yellow Shark, thanks for the insight. The only aspect holding me back from the single is the fact that one engine can get me back to the dock on a break down. I agree, so many charter capt's run single diesels and they all swear by them.
Thanks again all and more insight is appreciated.
__________________ Triton 27 WA with twin 200 yami
Brames, I understand your concern, and its valid.
Although I have never once considered that my boat wouldnt make it back to port and myself and my brother have taken numerous offshore trips in the Bill Me. However good maintenace is a must,, I get a visit every 100 hours from a great diesel mechanic!!! who know my boat vey well.
Good luck in your search!!
John, Not for sale. since the new one on the shop floor is $125K ill keep mine.
Ill be in Nags head on the 23rd this year and boats stayin up here. i may jump on the A Salt Weapon instead.,, Interested in a Tuna/Mariln trip later in june outta oc?? let me know well be goin off soon, you can bring one of your SRRKC buddies,, let me know!!
The only aspect holding me back from the single is the fact that one engine can get me back to the dock on a break down. I agree, so many charter capt's run single diesels and they all swear by them.
A membership to Towboat US or SeaTow can also get you back to the dock on a breakdown.
That single diesel, properly maintained will be far more reliable than an outboard. Or Two outboards. Especially as they age.
Consider that if you're running both outboards from a single fuel tank, fuel issues will stop both of them. And if you're having electrical problems, you won't be able to start either of them.
Sorry for the late reply, working to pay for the gas this summer.
The boats I am considering have either a twin outboard gas or a single inboard diesel.
Yellow Shark, thanks for the insight. The only aspect holding me back from the single is the fact that one engine can get me back to the dock on a break down. I agree, so many charter capt's run single diesels and they all swear by them.
Thanks again all and more insight is appreciated.
Just remember: If you have a fuel problem, neither of your engines will run. If you have low battery power, neither of your engines will crank. Most of the time when an engine won't crank it is because of low battery power or a fuel problem. On the other hand, twins are really nice if one lower unit goes out. I wouldn't worry about not being able to make it back with a single diesel. It will probably never happen. Just have a good plan if something bad does happen.
Twin gas vs single diesel? 
