southatlantic

This is the alarm that I use http://www.marineguardsecurity.com/id5.html

In my boat I have pressure sensors installed under the deck. You turn on the alarm with a remote after you leave the boat. Works pretty well.

Really good discussion. But the original question was not so much on the effectiveness of a particular additive but on whether a one step vs. a two step mixing process would make any difference. I just happened to illustrate it with Startron because this is what I personally use. There are now at least a couple of other new additives now on the market that use these enzymes, by the way. I have been using it with every fill for 2.5 years and personally I am happy with the results and so are 3 other friends who have been using one of the other enzyme-based brands. Perhaps in an area where marine diesel is of a higher quality and boats are used more often the benefits would not be as great. These enzyme-based additives are fairly new. One other area where the same type of enzymes are beginning to make an impact is in waste-treatment facilities, based on the same small particle dispersion principles. I do not have experience with that application, but have seen a couple of presentations and the claims are impressive (can`t vouch for actual performance).

I am a physicist, not a chemist... Assuming that is acceptable : 1) There is no such thing as a dumb question - lots of things out there are more complicated than they seem at first sight, always better to ask! 2) Yes, it will mix as well, or possibly even a little better. For instance, in the case of Startron, it does not combine with the gas or change it chemically in any way, it just disperses enzymes throughout the fuel and these enzymes break water and other impurities into very small particles that can not only pass through the filters but be harmlessly burned or vaporized by the motor. So, the only thing that makes difference is how well the enzymes are dispersed. A two-step mixing process will be at least as good as a one step process.

If you are reaching 3600 rpm WOT you are in great shape. That is just right. 29 kts at 300 RPM is a very impressive cruising speed, why do you want to go any faster? Sea conditions will usually not allow it, anyway... I think you have a winning combination, enjoy it! My current boat has twin D4-260s, jackshafts and DPH drives - a great set up. I have over 400 hours on the engines without a glitch. Some issues with the gear actuator of the drives, which was solved by upgrading the control cables.