all things equal

[andniss]

Diesel or gas outboards. Trying to see what you guys prefer. Not to raise fish of whatever. But just what you like and why. I'm researching for a inshore and offshore fishing vessels. And when i say inshore not flats but relatively close to shore, you know.

[Fortunamate]

i am inboard all the way becuase therer out of the way for everything and there much better on fuel

[jawz12]

interesting call here...not sure what size boat we're talking about,can ya mabey gimme a clue ??
outboards,these are the only engines designed strictly for a boat,they will work on nothing else.all the other's,"other's" being gas,diesel or whatever,are what's called "marinized".gas inboards and stern drives,these engines are marinized automobile engines.
as far as ease of operation and upkeep is concerned,outboards are usually easier.the stern drive and inboard gas engines,these are a little tricky sometimes,and there's certain components that will require replacement-that would be manifolds and risers,these will have a life span of approx 5yrs,after that,you're asking for trouble.stern drive powered rigs,these require the drive to be removed and inspected every season,not a big deal,but it's all part of the plan here,bellows,that would be drive shaft and in the case of the merc sterndrives,the shift cable bellows also have a finite life,no more than 5 seasons...take all this into consideration...yes,the stern drive and the inboards are gonna be better on fuel,that's true...
now,i'm sure i confused you even more...

take no offense here,ok ??

if you're asking about engines on an internet message board,and you're "researching",not sure what that is,mabey inventing a cure for world hunger ???
but the suggestion i would make to you is,find out who has the best service center in your area,that would be the choice to go with,because,again,you're asking for an answer,it shows me,you've got very little experience,and little mechanical aptitude...

[pitch bait]

If you are looking for longevity then I would say Diesel but if you ar eloking to go fast and trade them in every couple, get outboards. What size boat are you looking at? Ane also what do you plan on doing with it? Those two things for me would be the determining factors.

[jawz12]

If you are looking for longevity then I would say Diesel but if you ar eloking to go fast and trade them in every couple, get outboards. What size boat are you looking at? Ane also what do you plan on doing with it? Those two things for me would be the determining factors.

not bad advice...but...alot of the high output diesels have a relativley low hr life span,and sometimes,these engines are not the most economical choice..
tading in outboards every couple years ??? why ??? there's a million yamaha hpdi engines out there,these engines are almost 10yrs old and still running great ??? the accepted life span of a 2 stroke outboard was 10yrs,for the average boater,why the advice to trade in every few years ?? is it to insure the engines are under warranty ?? extended warranties are available for up to 6yrs,that's not bad...

[clt_capt]

For the Tweener boats - mid 20's to low 30s, for the casual user, I'd have to say outboard.

For a day in day out work boat, then diesel...

[andniss]

looking at 34-38ft express. Something I can fish from and have fun w/ the fam at the same time. Now if it were the old days were diesels weren't tuned for higher output w/ lower displacement I wouldn't be asking but now adays with diesel prices and reliability coming up short I'm trying to see what you guys trust to take you offshore and keep a little coin in you pocket.
And you're right, new to boating but I'm an ex mechanic so mechanical maintaince is no big deal to me in fact I rather enjoy the occasional tweaking.

[Fortunamate]

for reliability and longevity im still sticking with the deisel we put 1000+ hours on ours last summer not one problem that wasnt human error started her up yesterday 2 or 3 cranks and she went. in a average day we burn 40 to 60 gallons alot of outboards burn that in 2 to 3 hours

[fishduck]

Outboards. The new four stroke outboards use alot less fuel then the old two stroke models. My 26' boat with twins uses about 40 gal a day offshore. Outboards will last a long time if you take care of them. 3 years ago I replaced my 26 year old outboard and it still ran pretty well. Now I have four stroke Yamahas and love them. We will see how long they last.

Good Luck,
Fishduck