Good morning Seabreezers

Advice needed! Should I repower to diesel? What should I look for when inspecting a diesel to buy? Is there any diesel-savvy Seabreezer out there who could accompany me to inspect this diesel???

Currently, my 26ft International Folkboat (displacement 2150kg; full traditional keel) is powered by a Tohatsu 5h.p outboard which sits in a well in the lazarette.

A Yanmar 8h.p diesel with gearbox has come up on Gumtree for, I'm suspecting, a reasonable price AND negotiable. This is the link: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/redcliffe/boat-accessories-parts/8hp-yanmar-diesel-engine-and-gearbox/1107271261

I'm thinking of dipping into my super and repowering the Folky with a diesel...maybe this diesel! (And biting the bullet and painting the topsides, but that's a different story).

Advantages of the outboard:
Simple to operate, maintain and troubleshoot for my mechanically-challenged brain.
Doesn't pollute the cabin with any odours of fuel.
Small and compact, does not encroach on the already-limited stowage space I have.


Disadvantages: the outboard is 2-stroke. I'm not proud of the oil residue I am leaving in the water.
Limited battery-charging capability. At present, I don't have one of those coil-thingys for charging.
The well in the lazarette is problematic - fills the lazarette with water in choppy conditions (very unnerving, not being self-draining to see your fuel tank upside down and awash {with the vent open}); unless I take the whole motor out of the well, the leg remains in the water and produces drag.

Advantages of a diesel:
Diesel!
No lazarette and well problems, therefore, better and safer offshore capabilities.
Alternator.
No threat of cavitation in a sea.


Disadvantages:
Repowering costs...still need shaft, prop and the installation of everything....EXPENSIVE and, out of work and the future looking bleak, the only way I can possibly do it is to dig into my Super.
The location of instal will take up valuable space...the biggest and longest void in the boat underneath the cockpit.
I don't like the odour of diesel in the cabin.

So, long story short, any advice is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards
Trace