Powered Diesel
Thursday, February 25th, 2010Powered Diesel

Diesel Boats vs Gas
As you may know, diesel engines aren't something
you should take lightly. There are good reasons
why the rush to put them in cars back in the 70s
flopped. Diesel isn't the ideal power source for
all applications.
Engine speed
Diesel engines gained the reputation for long
service life early on in the history of the
engines, mainly from engines that were used in
commercial operations. These were big, very
slow to turn engines that were usually in the
600 - 1,000 RPM range.
The long service life of the Diesel Engine isn't
really a myth when used in the proper application.
It's only a myth in pleasure craft, where the
engines are operated in-frequently at high and
low speeds, normally under very heavy loads and
adverse conditions.
Fuel consumption
If you plan to engage on some serious long range
travel, especially if fuel stops aren't available,
then fuel consumption will become an issue.
Diesel engines will normally burn 1/3 to 1/2 the
amount of fuel as their gas equals. Considering
the cost of the engines versus the amount of
fuel you'll burn during the time you own the
boat, fuel savings isn't really important.
Dilemma
Most questions of choice arise for boats that
are in the 28 to 34 foot range where either type
of engine is available with adequate horsepower.
Gas engines do have the advantage that they are
cheap to buy and also cheap to repair.
Diesel boats are just the opposite, as for the
price of one you could buy three gas engines.
For the price of a smaller in-line 6 cylinder
diesel, You Can buy two gas engines.
Therefore, cost wise, unless you really need
diesel power, diesels aren't very practical.
The advantage to diesel comes only at the
point where the extra torque is needed because
a gasoline engine would simply be under too
much strain to have an adequate amount of
service life.
If you have a choice of gas versus diesel,
your first concern should be to determine
whether or not you can really afford to own a
diesel, as the initial price is only part of
the cost.
If you simply can't afford to write a big check
for routine maintenance, then you will probably
be better off going with gas. On the other hand,
if you have a lot of money, diesel would be
your best bet. Diesel engines are great to
have, although they cost a lot of money to
up keep and they generally aren't the way to go
for those on a budget.
About the Author
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Model Power HO scale Alco FA2 Powered Diesel 825 BN Vintage | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $15.99 | 19m |
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ATHEARN HO GP 35 UNDECORATED BODY FRAME MOTOR W RAILS FOR PARTS | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 35m |
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Lionel 8250 Santa Fe GP 9 Diesel | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $39.20 | 39m |
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N Scale lot of engines cars switches etc EC Atlas Bachmann Model Power | ![]() |
4 Bids | US $152.50 | 49m |
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Model Power HO scale Alco FA2 Powered Diesel BN Vintage | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $15.99 | 51m |
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Fleischmann 1340A CNW Baldwin Locomotive | ![]() |
8 Bids | US $68.75 | 1h |
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ERNST Super Gearing for ATHEARN 6 Axle Diesels | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $17.99 | 1h 10m |
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ConCor N AeroTrain Set | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $278.81 | 1h 13m |
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Vintage HO ATHEARN EMD DD40 DIESEL 4242 RTR 1 motor original box LK | ![]() |
6 Bids | US $31.56 | 1h 18m |
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HO SCALE SHARK NOSE DIESEL TRAIN 510 MADE BY MODEL POWER | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $17.00 | 1h 45m |
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Vintage Train Miniature New York Central Alco B Unit Dummy Locomotive New in Bx | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.90 | 2h 32m |
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Life Like Burlington Northern Powered GP9 Type Diesel Locomotive Needs Couplers | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $10.50 | 2h 32m |
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Junk Lot Plastic HO Shells Loco Caboose Bulkhead Flats Reefers Trucks More | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $1.04 | 2h 32m |
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Athearn New York Central Alco PA 1 Powered Diesel Passenger Locomotive in Box | ![]() |
8 Bids | US $30.00 | 2h 33m |
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Vintage Tyco Train Locomotive Diesel Alco Century 430 Lighted Spirit 76 In Box | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $15.00 | 2h 39m |
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ATLAS N SCALE SOUTHERN PACIFIC DAYLIGHT 85 PASSENGER CHAIR CAR WITH NO CAR | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $17.67 | 3h 5m |
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HO Southern Soo Line Railroad Dummy 2503 A Diesel Train Engine | ![]() |
11 Bids | US $32.09 | 4h 13m |
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Athearn HO Burlington Northern BN 6147 Railroad Dummy SD9 Diesel Train Engine | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.98 | 4h 13m |
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Athearn HO Burlington Northern BN Railroad Dummy Diesel Train Engine B Unit | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.98 | 4h 14m |
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Athearn HO Santa Fe Railroad Dummy Diesel Train Engine B Unit | ![]() |
8 Bids | US $26.00 | 4h 14m |
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Athearn HO Southern Pacific SP 6441 Railroad Dummy F7 A Diesel Train Engine | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.98 | 4h 14m |
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Pair HO Santa Fe Railroad Dummy F9 A Powered Diesel Engines Bachmann Tyco | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.98 | 4h 14m |
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Vintage Athearn HO Pennsylvania PRR Railroad Dummy F7 A Diesel Train Engine | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $11.09 | 4h 14m |
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Tri ang Hornby OO Gauge Class 37 Type 3 Diesel Locomotive D6830 R751 Used Good | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $23.24 | 4h 17m |
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Proto 2000 HO Rock Island BL2 powered diesel | ![]() |
10 Bids | US $53.52 | 4h 27m |
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Hornby OO Gauge Class 29 Type 2 Diesel Locomotive 6124 R084 Used | ![]() |
8 Bids | US $12.37 | 4h 39m |
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AHM Trains track switchers etc NICE | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $20.00 | 5h 10m |
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ART 22241S RS 3 Diesel LocomotiveG ScaleCentral of Georiga Cab 114 | ![]() |
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US $250.00 | 5h 24m |
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PSC CROWN KTM 41 UP 76 DD35A DIESEL EXCELLENT OB | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $1,995.00 | 5h 37m |
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ATHEARN BLUE BOX SOUTHERN PACIFIC S12 SWITCHER POWERED | ![]() |
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US $30.00 | 5h 51m |
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Lionel Boxed Southern Pacific GP 20 Diesel Engine Very Detailed DC Power | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $80.99 | 5h 53m |
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athearn trains fw 12 wheel penn central | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $35.00 | 6h 2m |
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Bachmann Electric HO Train Set Diesel Hustler | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $45.99 | 6h 19m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT ENGINE UNION PACIFIC GP20 LOCOMOTIVE 96852 | ![]() |
10 Bids | US $13.50 | 6h 19m |
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CON COR N SCALE CON COR QUALITY 0001 004601 60 MATERIAL HANDLING BOXCAR AMTRAK | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 6h 21m |
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CON COR MODELS 1 160 N SCALE CON COR QUALITY 0001 04071J DINING CAR AMTRAK | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 6h 21m |
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CON COR N SCALE QUALITY 0001 00219 PA1 DIESEL POWER AMTRAK | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $34.99 | 6h 21m |
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Ho Bachmann ATSF S4 Diesel DCC Ready Locomotive | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $74.98 | 6h 43m |
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Bachmann TBDCC DCC diesel engine ^ HO gauge Chessie system BO 4137 | ![]() |
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US $75.00 | 7h 20m |
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ORIGINAL LIONEL 2028 2328 2338 GP WORM WHEEL DRIVE GEAR | ![]() |
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US $8.95 | 7h 20m |
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BROADWAY LIMITED SD40 2 SOUND DCC CSX HO SCALE WEATHERED | ![]() |
17 Bids | US $132.75 | 7h 38m |
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Lionel Southern Pacific NW 2 BELL RINGER DIESEL ENGINE BOXED | ![]() |
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US $198.50 | 7h 41m |
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ATHEARNS HO PA 1 BO DIESEL DUMMY 3302 3362 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $49.95 | 7h 59m |
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2 Pc Bachmann Lighted Penn Central 05810581A GP40 Diesel Dummy Unit NIB | ![]() |
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US $49.99 | 8h 8m |
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Large lot HO Scale mostly NIP track acessories | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $6.99 | 8h 8m |
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2 Pc Bachmann Illinois Central Gulf 0531 0531A EMD F 9 Diesel Dummy Combo | ![]() |
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US $49.99 | 8h 15m |
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AHM 5015 F Alco Century 424 Central Of New Jersey 1540 Diesel Locomotive NIB | ![]() |
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US $49.99 | 8h 30m |
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MARX O GAUGE 99 ROCK ISLAND NON POWER B UNIT DIESEL P374 | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $29.99 | 8h 37m |
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Rare 1957 Lionel HO 0503 0523 0513 Western Pacific ABA Diesel Set Ex | ![]() |
17 Bids | US $77.50 | 8h 37m |
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LotC 47 Baltimore and Ohio 4073 Blue Steam Locomotive 4 6 2 HO scale | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $16.50 | 8h 44m |
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LotC 48 Life Like Union Pacific 907 Diesel Locomotive HO scale | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $26.69 | 8h 46m |
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LotC 50 Athearn Amtrak 503 Diesel Locomotive non powered HO scale | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $4.95 | 8h 47m |
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LotC 51 Athearn Burlington Northern DD 40 Diesel Locomotive HO scale | ![]() |
3 Bids | US $12.50 | 8h 47m |
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LotC 53 Tenshodo Great Northern 2035 BRASS weathered Diesel Locomotive HO scale | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $37.00 | 8h 49m |
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MARX O GAUGE 99 ROCK ISLAND POWER A UNIT DIESEL P372 | ![]() |
4 Bids | US $46.00 | 8h 51m |
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MARX O GAUGE 99 ROCK ISLAND NON POWER A UNIT DIESEL P373 | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $29.99 | 8h 59m |
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AHM MEHANO MDT DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 9h |
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HO Scale Athearn Lehigh Valley F7B Powered Diesel Engine 561 Parts Repair | ![]() |
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HO SCALE LOT SANTA FE 4015 DIESEL ENGINE WIND UP SWITCHER ENGINE MORE | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 9h 5m |
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LGB Locomotive | ![]() |
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US $275.00 | 9h 5m |
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LGB Diesel Locomotive | ![]() |
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US $275.00 | 9h 5m |
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AHM MEHANO CENTER CAB DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 9h 7m |
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LIONEL TRAIN MKT DIESEL SWITCHER ENGINE 600 | ![]() |
6 Bids | US $38.85 | 9h 8m |
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MTH Sante Fe Super Chief EMD F3 A Unit Diesel Engine w Proto 1 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $99.99 | 9h 8m |
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Model Power MEHANO MDT DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 9h 14m |
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