Is the diesel fuel at a Marina of a better "marine quality" than the fuel you can get at your neighborhood gas station?
Diesel Fuel
- Thread starter Broke sailor SV Marcell
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SImple answer...
No. Off road (red) diesel is usualy higher in sulphor content than on road fuel. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga imd_ga@hotmail.com
No. Off road (red) diesel is usualy higher in sulphor content than on road fuel. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga imd_ga@hotmail.com
I'm confused
On road, off road? I am referring to Marina fuel vs. gas station fuel. How is the sulfur content measured?
On road, off road? I am referring to Marina fuel vs. gas station fuel. How is the sulfur content measured?
no differents after being a texaco distributor for ten years the only differents is is the color one for on road the other for off road. the major different in la is the tax paid for on road about $.38 per gallon.
no differents after being a texaco distributor for ten years the only differents is is the color one for on road the other for off road. the major different in la is the tax paid for on road about $.38 per gallon.
On road/Off road
Diesel fuel sold for "on road" use includes road use taxes in the price one sees at the pump: this tax pays for building and upkeep of the macadam your (shudder!) SUV glides over. Diesel sold for "off road" use (typically construction equipment & for marine use) rightly does not include this road tax. This fuel is dyed (in my state red) to identify it as un-(road) taxed fuel, and penalties result from using it to propel motor vehicles on public highways. But the product is the same uniform quality. The similar prices you see at marina pumps is just the operator taking advantage of you & selling you red diesel at similar pirces to the road-taxed stuff.
Diesel fuel sold for "on road" use includes road use taxes in the price one sees at the pump: this tax pays for building and upkeep of the macadam your (shudder!) SUV glides over. Diesel sold for "off road" use (typically construction equipment & for marine use) rightly does not include this road tax. This fuel is dyed (in my state red) to identify it as un-(road) taxed fuel, and penalties result from using it to propel motor vehicles on public highways. But the product is the same uniform quality. The similar prices you see at marina pumps is just the operator taking advantage of you & selling you red diesel at similar pirces to the road-taxed stuff.
Diesel Fuel Ratings
In this area (Md/Va/Ches Bay), many marinas sell diesel fuel with a 40 cetane rating, while most gas/truck stops sell diesel with a 45 cetane rating. This could effect performance of your diesel engine, so best to know what your specific engine manual requires or specifies.
In this area (Md/Va/Ches Bay), many marinas sell diesel fuel with a 40 cetane rating, while most gas/truck stops sell diesel with a 45 cetane rating. This could effect performance of your diesel engine, so best to know what your specific engine manual requires or specifies.
Marina fuel is probably worse .....
All fuels degrade over time. The typical 'limit' of stability for #2/diesel is probably not more than 60 days, then decomposition/polymerization, water condensation/absorbtion, etc. begins. Since marinas are not 'high-turnover' sources of fuel ______________ (you fill in the blank). And then you wonder why if there is no 'road tax' applied, why does 'marina fuel' cost sometimes 50% more than 'road' fuel. ;-)
All fuels degrade over time. The typical 'limit' of stability for #2/diesel is probably not more than 60 days, then decomposition/polymerization, water condensation/absorbtion, etc. begins. Since marinas are not 'high-turnover' sources of fuel ______________ (you fill in the blank). And then you wonder why if there is no 'road tax' applied, why does 'marina fuel' cost sometimes 50% more than 'road' fuel. ;-)
Well I have a 18 HP Yanmar
Since I do not have my Yanmar Tech Manual handy, what centane rating does Yanmar specify?
Since I do not have my Yanmar Tech Manual handy, what centane rating does Yanmar specify?
Bottom line costs
Here in the Salem, MA area I find that Marina fuel has a hefty convienence cost to it. The costs on-water are significantly more ($1+) than gas station prices. Since I do not use much fuel I just bring out a 5 gal jerry can every once in a while.
Here in the Salem, MA area I find that Marina fuel has a hefty convienence cost to it. The costs on-water are significantly more ($1+) than gas station prices. Since I do not use much fuel I just bring out a 5 gal jerry can every once in a while.
Cetane rating
I just checked the online Yanmar Manual on this site and it says to use Cetane rating of 45 or greater. So I guess that means you are better off using Non-Marina fuel. Right? Is Cetane like Octane? The higher the better?
I just checked the online Yanmar Manual on this site and it says to use Cetane rating of 45 or greater. So I guess that means you are better off using Non-Marina fuel. Right? Is Cetane like Octane? The higher the better?
When I took the Yanmar course
The instructor stressed that using fuel from a truck stop was better, since it is turned over faster than at the marina. Also, the cetane could be higher but need to check. I know our marina has not gotten new fuel for 2 months, I asked them last weekend. I have been stopping a high volume station and filling up a 5 gal can that I then put on in the boat. So I pay more - I own a boat why not!
The instructor stressed that using fuel from a truck stop was better, since it is turned over faster than at the marina. Also, the cetane could be higher but need to check. I know our marina has not gotten new fuel for 2 months, I asked them last weekend. I have been stopping a high volume station and filling up a 5 gal can that I then put on in the boat. So I pay more - I own a boat why not!
If in doubt, buy cetane booster
Use as directed, and, at the least, it should give you some piece of mind.
Use as directed, and, at the least, it should give you some piece of mind.
fuel
In Southern California, we boat all year long so the fuel dock has a good turn-over rate, plus the fuel at the Union 76 dock already has stabalizers/biocides in it. My Perkins runs well on it. It costs more than a gas station, but I take on thirty gallons at a time, more than I'd want to jerry jug.
In Southern California, we boat all year long so the fuel dock has a good turn-over rate, plus the fuel at the Union 76 dock already has stabalizers/biocides in it. My Perkins runs well on it. It costs more than a gas station, but I take on thirty gallons at a time, more than I'd want to jerry jug.
To Colonial Beach
I put Cetane +8 in my 18 Yanmar, per Yanmar School in Wilmington NC. Colonial Beach is a great place to sail out of, lucky you.
I put Cetane +8 in my 18 Yanmar, per Yanmar School in Wilmington NC. Colonial Beach is a great place to sail out of, lucky you.
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