Stupid question of the day Can auto diesel be substituted for the really expensive stuff they sell at the fuel dock? Thanks Greg s/v Champagne Girl
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
T
Tom Pfleeger
expensive at the dock?
Here in Mississippi the cheap diesel is at the marina. It has a dye in it to identify it because it is not taxed like auto diesel but I think it is the same stuff. Tom
Here in Mississippi the cheap diesel is at the marina. It has a dye in it to identify it because it is not taxed like auto diesel but I think it is the same stuff. Tom
P
Pete
diesel is diesel
Diesel fuel is diesel fuel, some is dyed for tax identification but it is still diesel. It is ok to use "auto" fuel vs. "marine" fuel.
Diesel fuel is diesel fuel, some is dyed for tax identification but it is still diesel. It is ok to use "auto" fuel vs. "marine" fuel.
S
Sam Lust
Parts Is Parts
I jug in diesel for the boat. I don't trust the fuel at the marinas here (no commercial fleet to generate high volume), and around here the price at the marina is absurd. Besides, carrying two or three jugs onto the boat during the course of the season is no great hardship.
I jug in diesel for the boat. I don't trust the fuel at the marinas here (no commercial fleet to generate high volume), and around here the price at the marina is absurd. Besides, carrying two or three jugs onto the boat during the course of the season is no great hardship.
Check the harbor rules.
Greg: Diesel may or may not be the same. There was a post about this in the last 90 days. Fuel on the road must meet EPA standards (different sulphur standards). Fuel on the water does not need to meet these stardards. Fuel on the dock is dyed to indicate no road tax. Some diesel has different Cetane ratings too (on the water and road both). There is also number 1 and number 2 diesel. It sounds like they are gouging you so you may want to haul it to your boat. Just be sure that the harbor does not have rules about fueling at the dock (many do). My take on this issue was that I never used enough to bother hauling it. If I spend .50/gal extra for 7 gal. I just need to drink Bud instead of Pacifico (only one 6 pk). "You never really know what you are getting when you buy diesel."
Greg: Diesel may or may not be the same. There was a post about this in the last 90 days. Fuel on the road must meet EPA standards (different sulphur standards). Fuel on the water does not need to meet these stardards. Fuel on the dock is dyed to indicate no road tax. Some diesel has different Cetane ratings too (on the water and road both). There is also number 1 and number 2 diesel. It sounds like they are gouging you so you may want to haul it to your boat. Just be sure that the harbor does not have rules about fueling at the dock (many do). My take on this issue was that I never used enough to bother hauling it. If I spend .50/gal extra for 7 gal. I just need to drink Bud instead of Pacifico (only one 6 pk). "You never really know what you are getting when you buy diesel."
R
Ralph Johnstone
Greg is Right ..................
......... about the expensive stuff being at the docks. Here in Vancouver, you can expect to pay on average $0.10/litre more at the dock than at the automotive pumps in town. Almost certain the marine stuff has no road tax on it so we REALLY get (fuel) hosed up here. Regards, sv Island Hunter
......... about the expensive stuff being at the docks. Here in Vancouver, you can expect to pay on average $0.10/litre more at the dock than at the automotive pumps in town. Almost certain the marine stuff has no road tax on it so we REALLY get (fuel) hosed up here. Regards, sv Island Hunter
G
Greg
Thanks to all for their input. The real hassle is getting a spot at the fuel dock on a busy weekend day. It also occurred to me to check with Yanmar about this. (duh)
J
Jay Eaton
Evaluate your source
You should purchase you fuel from a dealer that pumps a lot of fuel. If the dealer primarily services sailboats it is likely that that dealer will not pump very much fuel and the fuel will remain in the dealer's tank for a "long" time. Condensation and other contaminants in the dealer's tank will then be transferred to your tank. My marina does not sell fuel. Many times this is an insurance liability issue. Local sources are not very convenient. So, I purchase fuel from a local truck stop on the way to the marina.
You should purchase you fuel from a dealer that pumps a lot of fuel. If the dealer primarily services sailboats it is likely that that dealer will not pump very much fuel and the fuel will remain in the dealer's tank for a "long" time. Condensation and other contaminants in the dealer's tank will then be transferred to your tank. My marina does not sell fuel. Many times this is an insurance liability issue. Local sources are not very convenient. So, I purchase fuel from a local truck stop on the way to the marina.
You should realize something here.
At a truck stop they probably are making .20-.30 per gal. They pump 200-500 gal. in each truck that rolls in for fuel. This goes on year round. At a marina (especially sailboats) they are probably making .50-60/gal., and they probably pay more than a truck stop too. The difference her is that a sailboat may be taking on 25-30 gal. if they are real lucky. The power boats are probably more in the range of 100-200 gals. These guys need to make it while the sun shines 5-6 months of the year and much less traffic. So just think about this, the truck stop is making $100/truck the marina is making $15-50 per fillup. Count the trucks, count the boats.... I think you see my point. They need to pay rent, help, insurance and the list goes on. I doubt that many marina operators are getting rich off our fuel purchases. It just hurts when you see that price per gallon.
At a truck stop they probably are making .20-.30 per gal. They pump 200-500 gal. in each truck that rolls in for fuel. This goes on year round. At a marina (especially sailboats) they are probably making .50-60/gal., and they probably pay more than a truck stop too. The difference her is that a sailboat may be taking on 25-30 gal. if they are real lucky. The power boats are probably more in the range of 100-200 gals. These guys need to make it while the sun shines 5-6 months of the year and much less traffic. So just think about this, the truck stop is making $100/truck the marina is making $15-50 per fillup. Count the trucks, count the boats.... I think you see my point. They need to pay rent, help, insurance and the list goes on. I doubt that many marina operators are getting rich off our fuel purchases. It just hurts when you see that price per gallon.
M
Mickey McHugh
Road Tax on Boat Fuel in Texas
I was told by several sources that about 2 years ago, Texas started making ALL marine fueling stations begin collecting road tax on diesel fuel, even though it is red dyed fuel, to keep people from using it in thier cars. Back then the price at the marine fuel station was about the same as a land fuel station and usually a little higher for the reasons Steve mentioned. I have never heard of anyone using it in thier cars. Guess someone did or else why would Texas do it? The fuel buyer must fill out a form to apply for a tax number. They then use the number to apply for a refund of that fuel tax by sending in the sales receipt. Since it is a PITA, very few bother to get thier money back, so Texas makes out like (you guessed it) a BANDIT!
I was told by several sources that about 2 years ago, Texas started making ALL marine fueling stations begin collecting road tax on diesel fuel, even though it is red dyed fuel, to keep people from using it in thier cars. Back then the price at the marine fuel station was about the same as a land fuel station and usually a little higher for the reasons Steve mentioned. I have never heard of anyone using it in thier cars. Guess someone did or else why would Texas do it? The fuel buyer must fill out a form to apply for a tax number. They then use the number to apply for a refund of that fuel tax by sending in the sales receipt. Since it is a PITA, very few bother to get thier money back, so Texas makes out like (you guessed it) a BANDIT!
B
Bob Howie
RIGHT ON, Steve!!!
Steve Dion is right on point here. And, Oh! My God! I think I filled my tanks -- all 24 gallons of them -- maybe twice last year! Also, the price at the fuel dock pump is driven by supply and demand, ergo, the typical $1.50/gal price. Hauling fuel to the dock to save money begs the question as to why one would buy a boat in the first place if the idea was to "conserve" on expenses. Airplanes, years ago, were certified under certain circumstances to use auto gas instead of aviation fuel, but despite initial interest, it hasn't caught on primarily because of the hassle of having to haul and pump gas yourself. Let's help the marina guys make a living, which the Cigarette boats are paying more of anyway!!
Steve Dion is right on point here. And, Oh! My God! I think I filled my tanks -- all 24 gallons of them -- maybe twice last year! Also, the price at the fuel dock pump is driven by supply and demand, ergo, the typical $1.50/gal price. Hauling fuel to the dock to save money begs the question as to why one would buy a boat in the first place if the idea was to "conserve" on expenses. Airplanes, years ago, were certified under certain circumstances to use auto gas instead of aviation fuel, but despite initial interest, it hasn't caught on primarily because of the hassle of having to haul and pump gas yourself. Let's help the marina guys make a living, which the Cigarette boats are paying more of anyway!!
G
Greg
Bob, you missed the point of my question which was motivated by a desire for convenience not savings. But since you mention it why should I subsidize lousy service at a high price? The amount of fuel you buy is not the point.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.