Best Diesel Brand?

[rblevens]

Don't hammer me for this question- which brand of diesel engine should I look hard at for the Sea Angler?
Bang for the buck!

(Looking around 200 HP per.)

Parts availability in the Caribbean is a consideration...

Thanks in advance!
Rick

[Bill Edmundson]

Rick

I've had 2 Yanmars. Very happy with them. Not cheap. They are a world wide brand. You are right to look at parts and service availability!

Bill

[North]

Yanmars are great, as mentioned. The Cummins 6BT is a bit louder, normally 210hp, and very common and reliable. Can buy them rebuilt from several vendors.

[rblevens]

Thanks- recommendations go a long way!

[kens]

Yanmar does not let support parts out to aftermarkets. This forces you to buy everything from the dealer.
Cummins has a reputation for cheaper cost of parts, easier parts availability. Many parts (almost all) can be obtained in the aftermarket.
I was GIVEN for FREE a brand new Yanmar that had overheated; I could buy a Cummins for the cost of the Yanmar rings, bearings, & gaskets, plus a heat exchanger.
I took the Yanmar to the scrap yard and got $75 for it on the scales.
Yanmars run great,,,,,,,,until,,,,,,you need something like a heat exchanger, then you're screwed.
As long as you dont need a major part, Yanmars are terrific.

[rblevens]

I'm hearing Cummins

[Bill Edmundson]

Rick

Go to this site and join: http://boatdiesel.com/

You can research just about everything out there. They have several calculators for speed, gear ratios, prop options, and shaft size. It is well worth the change it cost!

BTW: I think Ken is right.

Bill