Looking forward to this project. Gonna be great! I believe that particular hull has some history. Owned at one time by the US military and spend time in the Indian Ocean. Tough hulls, pretty sure they have a bit of Kevlar in the layup.
As for the diesel power, you're probably going to need 450+hp in single straight inboard configuration to see the performance you're looking for. Cummins 6.7QSB in 480hp trim comes to mind, they're light and exceptional on fuel. A B series cummins isn't likely going to cut it in the HP department.
I'm a big fan of single straight inboard diesels and own a diesel boat myself. But if it's pure economics that you are after, I would encourage you to do the math on the actual savings of building this thing in diesel inboard vs twin outboard. With twin 300 4s outboards, you'll probably only burn 5-7 gals an hour more than the diesel and gas is often cheaper than diesel at the marina these days. When you add up the cost of Diesel engine, drivetrain, additional rigging requirements, fibreglass work etc. to get her rigged, and the TIME and comepare it the cost of a pair of 300's and the extra fuel burned, it might be a wash. But either way, it's gonna be one hell of a project!
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