Reliability and simplicity in the 40-55ft range?

Some of the larger OB powered Center Consoles are going to diesel gen sets with their own small fuel tank. I assume because of CO risks at anchor or rest in the below decks enclosed living areas.

Dual fuels.
Wheres the simplicity?

Bertram 54' to outboard, seems like that brackets a lot of possibilities. Some talk about diesels vs gas. Combustion engines produce carbon monoxide, diesel or gas or coal or wood. Diesel is less volatile, requires much higher heat or pressure to ignite, so safer in that respect, but gasoline boat fires have become increasingly rare as older boats stop operating. Electrical fires are far more common on boats than gasoline fires.

These days, diesel makers have a lot of regulations and consumer demands pushing them to ever higher performance and lower emissions, diesel engines are changing. I know it is sacrilege here, but new gas engines are getting more reliable while diesels are getting less. Gas engine maintenance and repairs are holding cheap, while diesel maintenance and repairs are much higher and getting more expensive. If you are down in the 40' range, something to think about, a couple GM big-blocks are pretty simple to own and maintain.

A dedicated system for 30 - 50 gallons seems a lot cleaner than the jerry jug system most diesel boats use for their OB powered ribs/inflatables.

Yes, most boats today have dual fuels or even triple fuels. Gas for RIB's. Propane for grills. That's without even counting electric. That makes four fuels.

Saw a Cigarette CC with 5 OB's at the ramp today. Didn't look too simple!

Electricity isn't a fuel; fuels have mass.

In addition to the hassles of having dual fuel, you also loose the flexibility. Think about it. A 50 gal diesel tank will give you two days of generator runtime. Good for a week end... nothing more.

I totally disagree about diesels becomes less reliable than gassers. That's BS. I ve put close to 4000 hrs in 8 years on a pair of 3412Es that never missed a beat. I think we averaged less than $5k maintenance a year incl oil changes.

Gas inboards are not immune to EPA emission requirements, which now include catalysts for new builds.
The gas inboard yacht market, not counting ski/wakeboard craft, has been struggling for survival, usually finding success on inland lakes and rivers in locations where diesel is hard o find.

There's been a huge swing from stern drives toward outboards as well, especially in smaller runabouts.

Were getting to comparing un-real 5 Outboard CCs, Skiboats, stern drives and the real post; reliability-and-simplicity
None of witch fits the O P.
Anybody out there own a boat that has not required services that is ready to go??????

Diesel engines becoming less reliable? Where does that come from?

-Chris

Indeed stern drives are in steep decline as outboards have greatly improved in th last 10 years or so along with the design and amnenities of what used to be basic center consoles

Outboard gas engines have become much more reliable but not inboards

And now we have a potentially big move in outboards with Volvo getting into the business by acquiring Seven Marine.

Wow, any details? I missed this.

Edit to say I just scrolled down and saw press release...

I am more interested in the upcoming 300hp diesel outboard from an English company, Cox Marine, with some F1 like technology .

Volvo isn't stopping production of gas or diesel, they're just making all cars hybrid. At minimum they'll be hybrid's mostly dependent on gas or diesel.

Our previous 39 ft Sea Ray had a couple of Merc 8.1 gassers. They ran like champs, and we're cheap to maintain.

For pleasure boats up to around 40 ft, they are fine. Drawbacks, it's gas and that can explode, they emit 90 percent more CO than diesel and they are thirsty.

But for the typical boater who runs 50 hours per year, they are still a good option.

I have been working on lil Volvo outboards for years. Thank goodness for a great Volvo shop I have been working with sense I was a kid.
Volvo outboard have always been a great product, just not many in the states. Picking up Seven Marine is news to me but could be a great advantage for Volvo. I wish them success.