Petrol sterndrives?

[r mcdonald]

Happy new year everyone.
Does anyone consider installing a petrol sterndrive in a rib over 7 meters anymore,or are outboards and diesel sterndrives the way people are heading? Diesel sterndrives are about 30% more in capital and fuel cost compared to petrol, down here.
regards
rpm

[BogMonster]

I would have thought petrol sterndrives miss the obvious advantage of going inboard which is the economy of a diesel engine. You've got the weight anbd space penalty of an inboard installation, and the fuel consumption of a petrol engine...

[codprawn]

Well for the same weight as a Yamaha 315hp diesel you can get a 600hp petrol mercruiser like this - I know which I would rather..........

http://www.mercuryracing.com/sterndr...0sci/specs.php

Then again 2x 300XS outboards are lighter again!!!

[biffer]

nice bit of kit, just looked at the fuel consumption, scary!!!!

[MarkWildey]

Compare the difference in cost of the engine and work out much fuel that equates to and then how many hours per year you'll use the boat.

Maybe petrol is the way to go if your an average boat user!

[biffer]

as a commercial operator maybe, done 800hrs on a diesel in 3 seasons still not looking that good, i know where your'e coming from prices of engine and all, but it's of interest that in the states it's the diesels that are cheaper to buy, and it's just ripoff britian yet again rearing it's ughly head, just the same as cars, a number of years ago diesel was cheap because of few diesel cars, they bring out quieter more efficent cars, more people buy them,more diesel purchased, let put the price up, and it goes on, youv'e started me off now, have to go and have a walk the garden!

[r mcdonald]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

I would have thought petrol sterndrives miss the obvious advantage of going inboard which is the economy of a diesel engine. You've got the weight anbd space penalty of an inboard installation, and the fuel consumption of a petrol engine...

A 260hp petrol sterndrive costs about $23000, a 200 diesel sterndrive costs about $35000.
Petrol cost $1.05 a litre and diesel $1.30 a litre.I would need to use the rib alot before I broke even with a diesel.
I thought for the same weight you can get more HP from a petrol than diesel.
With a sterndrive you can have a swim deck at the stern which may compesate for the room lost in the rib compared to an outboard. and the weight is futher forward and lower with the sterndrive.
If I was to use an outboard,I would possilbly have two motors so the weight would be the same as the diesel sterndrive and the same price aswell.( a couple of 140hp $32000).The petrol sterndrive seem to be the cheapest option except for one 200 to 250hp outboard which is the same price as the petrol sterndrive.
Or is my thinking not quite right?

So thats why I was asking the orginal question about petrol sterndrives.
thanks for the replies
regards
rpm

[r mcdonald]

Biffer
quote:"i know where your'e coming from prices of engine and all, but it's of interest that in the states it's the diesels that are cheaper to buy, and it's just ripoff britian yet again rearing it's ughly head"

I am in one of the colonies of Britian (Australia)
regards
rpm

[biffer]

i've been a rib manufacturer for years and trust me what happens over there isn't what happens over here, privately i could tell you some stories that would make your blood boil

[biffer]

rpm
sorry i got side tracked,i'm with you on inboards and i dont lose any deck space' see pics', not only can i put gear in the engine bay but also on top and the cabin speaks for itself, i've got a few mates over there who say they wouldn't come back, check out us inboard prices it's the otherway round or it used to be, can't think it's changed since the last time i had dealings