newbie...engines...question...

[annapopack]

Good day, looking at a couple of 28 TE's for purchase and had some questions. Should I be afraid of an older Penninsular 300 (800hrs) I talked to a fellow in Boston seemed to feel those engines were crap.

What is yearly upkeep on the 28's? I am a veteran of a 24' Mako that was pretty straightforward, although this will be my first diesal.

All input is appreciated.

Thanks.

[jcollins]

Good day, looking at a couple of 28 TE's for purchase and had some questions. Should I be afraid of an older Penninsular 300 (800hrs) I talked to a fellow in Boston seemed to feel those engines were crap.

What is yearly upkeep on the 28's? I am a veteran of a 24' Mako that was pretty straightforward, although this will be my first diesal.

All input is appreciated.

Thanks.

Annapopack,
Welcome to the board. I have one of those older Peninsular diesels with 727 hrs. As I have learned the Peninsular was the lower cost engine for these boats. My research told me the same thing. One guy says "crap", another says "if it's in the Hummer it can't be that bad". I don't know. I can tell you that any well-maintained engine will last. From what I'm told a couple of thousand hours is not unusual on a diesel.
Things I have heard about Peninsular:
Noisy and smokey.
Since I have never owned a diesel before I can't really comment on the noise. I haven't been on an Albin with another brand. Smokey? It blows a little at startup for about 5 seconds. Also a little on hard acceleration. But, I have also been told all diesels do that. It is not a steady black plume that you see on the workboats. I was afraid of the switch to diesel at first but now that I am learning from other boaters and folks on this board I am sure that I made the right decision.
Yearly upkeep on the engine itself is nothing much. According to my manual and what I've been told, you don't really do much until 1000 hours. Change the oil and keep the fuel filters clean. And, I'm told, never run out of fuel.
I'm sure others will chime in with their thoughts.

By the way, the Mako is a good boat. But, welcome to Albins. I'm sure you will be happy.

Where do you boat? Annapolis? I'm guessing from your handle.

[annapopack]

I go mostly out of Back Creek and into the bay, I like going up the Severn hanging out and down the bay for fishing and getting out. I make a run every couple years to Charleston which is fun. You in Baltimore?

[Mariner]

I'm not personally familiar with the Peninsular engine. However, if you're making the switch from gas to diesel, I can promise you that you'll be pleased.

All diesels are a little louder and yes, they do smoke on startup. That's the nature of the beast. However, they are miles and miles ahead when it comes to reliability and maintenence. Jcollins is right, up to about 1000 hours, your only maintenence worries are oil changes, fuel filter changes, and (he forgot to mention) checking and replacing zincs. It depends on the engine, but in some you really don't want to run dry on fuel. It all depends on the fuel priming method. Most modern large diesels are self priming so it's not a concern. I did once (on a different boat) find myself sitting in the engine compartment pumping a little primer pump for hours on end trying to prime the lines.

For me the best part of running a diesel engine is the decreased cost. It's not just the reduced maintenence, but you save on fuel as well. First off, you burn less, as it takes less rpm's to generate the same power. Secondly, diesel is cheaper, and made even cheaper by the fact that on our boats it's untaxed (sales tax may still apply in some states). I'm still paying under $3/gal. at the fuel dock here, while the gas boats are paying nearly $4, and the road diesel stations are charging $3.15.

Also, although a large diesel is loud, it is, in my opinion not as loud as a gas engine developing the same horsepower. More importantly, the noise that it does make is mechanical rather than exhaust, and so proper sound deadening can be installed to reduce that noice as where an effective muffler system on a gas engine robs it of much of it's power.

Diesel engines are far and away the best choice for any boat large enoguh to accomodate them. You won't regret your decision.

[jcollins]

Well said Mariner! I'm still paying 2.99 for fuel. (at last fill-up)

Anapopack - My home port is Baltimore, but I keep the boat off the Gunpowder river. I boat in that area, Middle River, etc. We are going down to the Severn this weekend or next to visit the old owners.