I have heard that at some marina fueling stations there is a chance that the fuel will be old.... so it has been suggested to buy my diesel fuel at a gas station so that the fuel is "newer/fresher".... I have starting doing this but I have noticed that the fuel color is different... fuel from that gas station is greenish.... fuel at marinas are redish in color.... other then the normal additives that we add... is there some other additives that marinas add to the fuel that makes the color different that I should be adding? Or is the fuel at marinas formulated differently then at gas stations.... Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks
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Road tax on the gas station fuel
Shaun: The fuel you purchase at the "gas station" is "clear" and has the road fuel tax. The stuff at the marina is pink/red and has no fuel tax added. As far a additives you should be adding biocide to the fuel with each fillup. This will prevent alga from growing in your tank. I would assume that most marina move plenty of fuel so I would not think that this is a problem during the regular boating season. This may be an issue during the winter months depending on where you are. Our marina has a filter on the tank too. We have fueled up at our marina for 15 years and have very clean fuel year round. We have about 100 boats in the marina and only about 1/2 of the boats even have inboard engines. I would take a small jar and pump some fuel in it. Let it sit for several hours and see if there is any sediment in the fuel. That will give you an idea of what you dealing with. You should have a good primary filter on you boat (Racor type). These will filter down to 2 microns. You also have filter on the motor, so between the two they should be trapping everthing. If your tank is dirty the screen on the pickup tube can get plugged up and really cause havoc. You may want to pump some fuel out of your tank and do the same think that I recommended with the marina fuel. See if you have any water or sediment in the fuel. If it looks good I would not worry about it. Just be sure to add biocide with each fill up.
Shaun: The fuel you purchase at the "gas station" is "clear" and has the road fuel tax. The stuff at the marina is pink/red and has no fuel tax added. As far a additives you should be adding biocide to the fuel with each fillup. This will prevent alga from growing in your tank. I would assume that most marina move plenty of fuel so I would not think that this is a problem during the regular boating season. This may be an issue during the winter months depending on where you are. Our marina has a filter on the tank too. We have fueled up at our marina for 15 years and have very clean fuel year round. We have about 100 boats in the marina and only about 1/2 of the boats even have inboard engines. I would take a small jar and pump some fuel in it. Let it sit for several hours and see if there is any sediment in the fuel. That will give you an idea of what you dealing with. You should have a good primary filter on you boat (Racor type). These will filter down to 2 microns. You also have filter on the motor, so between the two they should be trapping everthing. If your tank is dirty the screen on the pickup tube can get plugged up and really cause havoc. You may want to pump some fuel out of your tank and do the same think that I recommended with the marina fuel. See if you have any water or sediment in the fuel. If it looks good I would not worry about it. Just be sure to add biocide with each fill up.
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Bob Bauer
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Shaun
Thanks for reply..... recycling bad fuel?
The die makes sense and the road tax just stinks.... I like the thought about checking the fuel with a glass jar... good idea.... if you do end up with bad fuel in the tank.... is there an easy way to dispose of it.... I discard my oil at recycle stations... what do you do with old fuel?
The die makes sense and the road tax just stinks.... I like the thought about checking the fuel with a glass jar... good idea.... if you do end up with bad fuel in the tank.... is there an easy way to dispose of it.... I discard my oil at recycle stations... what do you do with old fuel?
Couple of ideas!
Shaun: Ideas: 1. Burn it in your teakie torch. 2. Pour it in the guys boat next door. 3. Find a fuel oil supplier (heating oil) they may be able to clean and reuse. 4. Take it to the same recycling center where you oil goes. Don't know why they would not take it. 5. Call the EPA office in your area. You may choose any or all of the above choices.
Shaun: Ideas: 1. Burn it in your teakie torch. 2. Pour it in the guys boat next door. 3. Find a fuel oil supplier (heating oil) they may be able to clean and reuse. 4. Take it to the same recycling center where you oil goes. Don't know why they would not take it. 5. Call the EPA office in your area. You may choose any or all of the above choices.
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Glen Brumbaugh
Fuel Differences
I researched this same question previously. I am not an expert in this subject area, but the following represents what I learned from fuel dealers and knowledgeable local sailors. While there are different grades of diesel fuel, there should be no differences between the fuel you see and a Service station and the fuel you see at a dock. The marine fuel has historically had a red dye added. I was told that this originated because at one point marine diesel and "standard" diesel were taxed differently. Our local fuel dock sometimes has both types available. I prefer the read dye because it makes the fuel much easier to see in the fuel/water separator. Good luck.
I researched this same question previously. I am not an expert in this subject area, but the following represents what I learned from fuel dealers and knowledgeable local sailors. While there are different grades of diesel fuel, there should be no differences between the fuel you see and a Service station and the fuel you see at a dock. The marine fuel has historically had a red dye added. I was told that this originated because at one point marine diesel and "standard" diesel were taxed differently. Our local fuel dock sometimes has both types available. I prefer the read dye because it makes the fuel much easier to see in the fuel/water separator. Good luck.
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Joan
Biocide Amount
Amount to add is just for the additional fuel purchased. Also they can't deliver fuel to a glass container in our state, so use clear plastic container. Our Yanmar works better when kept topped off.
Amount to add is just for the additional fuel purchased. Also they can't deliver fuel to a glass container in our state, so use clear plastic container. Our Yanmar works better when kept topped off.
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Ken Palmer
Fuel tax and New York
It is reported that the tax collected for fuel at marinas in the State of New York goes to the state highway fund, not back to marine related projects. I Love New York. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
It is reported that the tax collected for fuel at marinas in the State of New York goes to the state highway fund, not back to marine related projects. I Love New York. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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John Allison
At Second Glance
I remember a discussion concerning fueling at a gas dock or trucking in the gas from a local filling station on the Hunter internet sometime ago. The concern was that many marinas did not allow trucking in and the whyfors and wherefors of these rules. I truck my fuel in (gasoline as opposed to diesel) but that only amounts to about 2 gallons every 2 or 3 weeks to top off my 6.5 gallon tank. However, there is this individual (several slips down from me) who fills his 37' Carver entirely from fuel trucked in (again gasoline not diesel). Over the Fourth weekend he brought in 50 gallons of gas in ten 5 gallon jerry cans. He unloaded then from his truck to the dock, loaded them onto his boat, carried them to the back of the boat, and then proceeded to fuel his craft. To make a long story short, one of the cans, just opened slipped out of his hand into the water. I do not no how much fuel was spilled but I do know that many boats and perhaps lives were jeopardized. True this could have been me just as easily. Lesson learned, I will fill either at an approved fuel dock or remove my 6.5 gallon tank from the boat and fill it at the filling station or, at least, at a safe area. Now I know why marinas have this rule.
I remember a discussion concerning fueling at a gas dock or trucking in the gas from a local filling station on the Hunter internet sometime ago. The concern was that many marinas did not allow trucking in and the whyfors and wherefors of these rules. I truck my fuel in (gasoline as opposed to diesel) but that only amounts to about 2 gallons every 2 or 3 weeks to top off my 6.5 gallon tank. However, there is this individual (several slips down from me) who fills his 37' Carver entirely from fuel trucked in (again gasoline not diesel). Over the Fourth weekend he brought in 50 gallons of gas in ten 5 gallon jerry cans. He unloaded then from his truck to the dock, loaded them onto his boat, carried them to the back of the boat, and then proceeded to fuel his craft. To make a long story short, one of the cans, just opened slipped out of his hand into the water. I do not no how much fuel was spilled but I do know that many boats and perhaps lives were jeopardized. True this could have been me just as easily. Lesson learned, I will fill either at an approved fuel dock or remove my 6.5 gallon tank from the boat and fill it at the filling station or, at least, at a safe area. Now I know why marinas have this rule.
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terry dornan
Are we missing the point ???
I would expect that the spill was reported to the coast guard so they could access the problem, and determine appropriate action. And the of course the EPA was notified to evaluate damage potential and initiate cleanup procedures. Boat US had a very good article in an issue this spring, in short it is difficult for this writer to understand why a society that is obsessing with environmental issues permits this type of activity. The responsible thing to do is to fuel at the fuel dock and use overflow protection on the tank vent. We all know it, I think the laws are extreme, but that is the way it is. Terry s/v stardust
I would expect that the spill was reported to the coast guard so they could access the problem, and determine appropriate action. And the of course the EPA was notified to evaluate damage potential and initiate cleanup procedures. Boat US had a very good article in an issue this spring, in short it is difficult for this writer to understand why a society that is obsessing with environmental issues permits this type of activity. The responsible thing to do is to fuel at the fuel dock and use overflow protection on the tank vent. We all know it, I think the laws are extreme, but that is the way it is. Terry s/v stardust
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John Rollins
fuel
In the state of Washington, I assume that it is just the dye color that different refiners use. In the state of California the fuel must be clear in color unless used by off road or farm vehicles. The color indicates whether the proper taxes have been paid. In short I would not worry about it. I believe the fuel at the mariinas should be fine. John Rollins
In the state of Washington, I assume that it is just the dye color that different refiners use. In the state of California the fuel must be clear in color unless used by off road or farm vehicles. The color indicates whether the proper taxes have been paid. In short I would not worry about it. I believe the fuel at the mariinas should be fine. John Rollins
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george kornreich
Add additional biocide, etc
Considering that fuel may reside in a sailboat tank for an extended period, does anyone add an additional dose of biocide or other additive based on time?
Considering that fuel may reside in a sailboat tank for an extended period, does anyone add an additional dose of biocide or other additive based on time?
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M. Watton
Fresh Fuel
For my quarterly 25 gallon fills I go to a fuel dock behind/in front of, all the 1000 gallon fillup fishing boats. As busy as our fuel docks are I've never worried about stale fuel. You are as likely to find contaminated stuff on land. I appreciate how nice the fuel dock people are to me, taking up space for my big purchase on the chance I will delay one of those sportfishers!
For my quarterly 25 gallon fills I go to a fuel dock behind/in front of, all the 1000 gallon fillup fishing boats. As busy as our fuel docks are I've never worried about stale fuel. You are as likely to find contaminated stuff on land. I appreciate how nice the fuel dock people are to me, taking up space for my big purchase on the chance I will delay one of those sportfishers!
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Willy Silver
Diesel Fuel problems
Keep your Diesel fuel tank always full to avoid water condensation in you tank. This is a big problem in climates with radical temperature differences from night and day. Adding a water separator and filter to the factory diesel engine filter setup is not a bad idea. Most diesel engine problem involves injection pumps and injectors, destroyed because of moisture. Do you know that some engine manufacture recommend disposal of your old engine crankcase oil, by mixing it with your Diesel fuel in a ratio of 10 to 1. If you’re really finicky you can use jet fuel. It works great and is clear and has incredible resistance to bacteria and includes water emulsifiers.
Keep your Diesel fuel tank always full to avoid water condensation in you tank. This is a big problem in climates with radical temperature differences from night and day. Adding a water separator and filter to the factory diesel engine filter setup is not a bad idea. Most diesel engine problem involves injection pumps and injectors, destroyed because of moisture. Do you know that some engine manufacture recommend disposal of your old engine crankcase oil, by mixing it with your Diesel fuel in a ratio of 10 to 1. If you’re really finicky you can use jet fuel. It works great and is clear and has incredible resistance to bacteria and includes water emulsifiers.
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Damian
Gas colour
I know that in the uk, they use fuel with a reddish tint for farm equipment, simply because it is subsidised, and by tinting it they can ensure normal vehicles do not use it. The idea is that it will colour the filters.
I know that in the uk, they use fuel with a reddish tint for farm equipment, simply because it is subsidised, and by tinting it they can ensure normal vehicles do not use it. The idea is that it will colour the filters.
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tom walsh
Fuel/gas
I attended a diesel class last winter. the machenic said that the reason for the "color" is that the diesel from marinas does have addatives that help lub the engine. he said that the "gas" station does not have the qualities, tom
I attended a diesel class last winter. the machenic said that the reason for the "color" is that the diesel from marinas does have addatives that help lub the engine. he said that the "gas" station does not have the qualities, tom
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