[Capt. Debbie]

SHORE POWER
SHore power depends on how it's wired. You bring in 30 amp 120vac to a screw on connector. That SHOULD go to a main AC Breaker and better yet a panel. The AC should power a MARINE battery charger that will help keep your batteries up, and the DC power flowing with out sapping the batteries.
The AC panel COULD power electric water heaters, electric stove, reverse cyle (AC & Heat) systems. And of course should have GFCI outlets. This is oftern plug connected to Microwaves and TV/Entertain electronics.


FUEL ECONOMY- Diesel v Gas
Diesel, depsite being a MUCH HEAVIER block wins on fuel economy. But remember here what we are talking about in a boat in the low 30 foot class? It's a heavy boat to start with. A set of 350hp's may optimisticly get you slightly less than 2 mph on the cruise. A comaparable diesel may be about 3 mph. Does not sound like a day and night difference. But that's 50% better fuel economy

ENGINE LIFE NOT MENTIONED But a big difference
Assumin both gas and diesel are well maintained the diesel should get you many more hours of engine life. So instead of running on barrowed time with 1200 hours of a gas boat, the diesel is well inside it's prime.


MECHANIC & PART - diesel v gas
The number of diesel mechanics v. gasolene mechganics is striking fewer. So repairs may take longer to come but with a limited supply of diesel guys. And even that varies by brand. For instance Volvo Penta diesels are great engines, but their supply chain in this part of the US stinks. So you'll have to wait much longer on parts vs. other diesel manufacturers like Yanmar, Detroit, etc.

Capt. Frank