Just retired and now trying to find a purpose to keep me ticking onward into the great abyss. My original career dream was supposed to be a flying, a marriage and three children changed all of those plans, now 40 years later I'm retired from a electrical business that was successful, just a lot less romantic compared to my original plan.

I received my private in 1985 only flew occasionally after that. In the 90's I decided to build my own aircraft, just didn't have the money to purchase outright. Through some careful planning I managed to acquire a couple of Taylorcraft basket cases, plus one Volksplane and through determination and a lot of sweat equity made a "experimental" out of it complete with floats most of which I designed and built myself. To keep this short, I'll just state that that plane was a wonderful little plane that served me well for 8 years in which I managed to log 300+ hours of back country fun. I sold this plane in 2004, then acquired a 1967 Cessna 172 which I also converted into "owner maintenance" in Canada. I then went to work and built this into a incredible floatplane that will outperform anything, the list of mods to this aircraft is extensive, over this winter I'll finish the autopilot and install a navigator to make this fully compliant for IFR.

I have a lot of things to do on my bucket list, but the possibility of flying around the globe excites me more than anything, the Cessna floatplane is not going to get me too far so now I have to look at all the alternatives that will, hence why I've signed up here, to ask questions and get feedback. Bottom line is that if I do this, I'll need something fast, comfortable, SAFE and within budget, if the DA42 is in the budget (which I'm still not sure) then you have an idea of the range for purchase price, obviously a Beech A36 would fall within the lower end of the budget. Then there are the challenges of getting a IFR, possible twin rating, insurance costs, maintenance, storage and later resale value. On this forum I'll seek to find out specifically what are the thoughts about a high speed single like the A36 compared to a Diamond DA42 or possible other twin that could work, right now the Diamond is #1 on my list, for a twin that is, the Beech is a beautiful classic that attracts me for many reasons, being somewhat of a classic myself, it just seems to exude both beauty and reliability.

Cheers everyone, looking forward to some feedback!!

Outside the US, Jet A is much easier to get, and a LOT cheaper. The safety of the Diamond is enviable. Anything with a piston is going to require some patience, especially if there is a mechanical issue.

Not sure how much more a used Meridian or Jet Prop is above a DA42, but if you could swing it, would be quite a bit faster, more comfortable and I think safer. But the safer part is on the pilot. There is a very good chance that you could go around the world a couple of times with zero maintenance required. Those planes will typically go annual to annual without much if any maintenance if you are flying under 200 hours/yr.

Thank you for the feedback. This is one of the reasons I’m looking at the diamond, everywhere outside of North America, avgas is hard to find and expensive. Also, the realization that this aircraft burns only 10.2 gallons per hour for two engines at 60% is impressive. Others have flown a single around the world, but the mental safety factor of that second engine, especially over open water, at night, and in IFR conditions is without a doubt, much more attractive than any parachute.

When flying outside the US, probably don’t want to be doing much night flying. Outside of a few major airports, not going to find much GA support after hours like in the US. Even here, many towns and FBO’s roll up the runway when the sun goes down. Much worse in areas where GA is not as robust, and you are depending on clearing customs, paying handlers, and officials. Plus the reason you are traveling is to see new things. Clouds look the same all over the world.

The Meridian is not much off a brand new DA42, at least some of the "descent" used I've viewed. I was looking at used DA42 so the price differential is certainly a lot greater, but not so much If I consider a new DA42 or 62. That said, two engines still have an appeal, even if the turbine is statistically more save than a Diamond twin. I know that doesn't make any sense, but it is what it is, my brain is somehow playing tricks on my conscious rationale. A turbine would be another rating, then again, I could forego the twin endorsement.
Well, guess I'll be checking out single turbine options now as an alternative, first question that comes to mind is the fuel burn economy, turbines are known to be very thirsty, but if faster and they are pressurized it may work out.

Is it the Diamond twin or the diesel engine you consider "safer" than the Lyc or Cont engines? From what I have read, parts for the Astro diesels are hard to come by, as are technicians to fix the same whereas there are plenty of old school mechanics for the classic aircraft fleet and related gas engines. Jet A is certainly easier to get anywhere, cost is much lower and these Astro engines literally sip fuel in comparison to a equal HP gas equivalent.

Many great points, thank you. If I do fly at night, it weld likely be to a major hub which is likely to be open, plus during the winter solstice the sun goes down earlier than closer hours, that could also factor in. I would likely be more inclined to fly within Canada and even more so to local airports at night, bottom line, it will factor in. Would I need a twin to fly locally at night ? No, but it would be a nice security blanket.

Between those two I would take the DA42 any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Ignoring the cost difference between the two the Diamond has lower fuel burn and the redundancy of 2 engines, and the use of Jet-A.
There's really not a comparison to be made IMO.

Only + for the A36 is ability to find someone to work on it. You're more likely to find someone who can work on a 75yr old continental than the (comparatively) brand new diesel burners.

The comparison, as has been pointed out, would be the Diamond vs a similarly priced SETP.