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NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => Helping Each Other Out => Topic started by: Hunter 2 on January 22, 2008, 10:51:29 AM

Title: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Hunter 2 on January 22, 2008, 10:51:29 AM
Does anyone use a gas caddy or gas kart? Buying fuel at the gas station is cheaper. Any pros or cons regarding these fuel carriers? Do marinas frown upon them?
  Ive seen carts  that hold 14 or 15 gallons and some hold 28 gallons of fuel..
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: mboy on January 22, 2008, 10:59:01 AM
Good luck finding a marina that will let you do that.
That is a BIG (VERY BIG) No-No.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Hunter 2 on January 22, 2008, 11:10:42 AM
Okay thanks Mike t^
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 22, 2008, 11:19:48 AM
True, MOST marinas will toss you out on your ear if they see you doing that.  Some marina owners will look the other way.

Not only does the marina owner get POed, but your boating neighbors do to.  Most feel it is an unsafe practice.  I don't agree with them, but that's a whole new subject.

My opinion, the gas caddy costs some where near $300+.  That's a lot of fuel to be putting in to break even on what you would save by not getting fuel at the gas dock.  Add in your time involved. 
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Todd_Gas_Caddy_Portable_Fueling_Station_28_Gallon&r=view&i=31249&aID=
If you get the 29 gallon fuel caddy (largest I have seen for sale) how are you getting that onto the dock and to the boat?  Twenty nine gallons at approximately seven pounds a gallon is more than I would want to lift on and off a pick up truck bed and then get down the dock to the boat.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: mboy on January 22, 2008, 11:27:54 AM
Better off pulling the boat by trailer to the gas station, fill her up, then sliding her back in the water and tying up to slip.

I know Luna Sea does it and if I had a trailer, I would like to do it on occasion as well. Run the tank down, spend the 10mn pulling her, hop over to gas station (which is WAAAY cheaper then marina, especially considering they sell 92 octane and I only need 87). Good .75-.85 per gallon difference :(

I have to find out what Peterson's in Keyport Octane is and what they charge.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Hunter 2 on January 22, 2008, 11:28:34 AM
I agree, It is a potential hazard in the wrong hands. And accidents are accidents.. My dad fuels up himself but he lives on a canal..                                               And it could be an insurance issue to the marina owners too. Just thought I would ask. I guess I will be doing more fueling when I decide to trailer the boat to further locations.   I have a few trips planned already. grtn
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Capt. Mike on January 22, 2008, 11:29:29 AM
I do use the gas caddy from time to time.
My marina does not sell gas so the dock master is OK with it. I hold about 200+ gallons, so there is a savings for me.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 22, 2008, 11:34:22 AM
It works well Capt Mike IF you can get your truck up to the boat, as is the case with yours.  If you are out several boats on a dock and do not have access to the bulkhead it could be a disaster getting the caddy down to the boat.

Pulling your boat and trailering to a gas station is a great answer, for those who can trailer.  The ten or twenty dollars for the ramp would be a drop in the bucket if you have a large tank to fill.  You could save a bundle that way.  t^

Heck, if you trailered to get fuel, you could also clean the bottom and do any maintanance while the boat is out.  Another plus. t^
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Capt. Mike on January 22, 2008, 11:36:02 AM
Grounding is very important!!! Could mean your life! I do fuel from the van, but I douse the grounding strap when filling the caddy and when emptying as well.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Capt. Mike on January 22, 2008, 11:38:04 AM
It works well Capt Mike IF you can get your truck up to the boat, as is the case with yours.  If you are out several boats on a dock and do not have access to the bulkhead it could be a disaster getting the caddy down to the boat.

Pulling your boat and trailering to a gas station is a great answer, for those who can trailer.  The ten or twenty dollars for the ramp would be a drop in the bucket if you have a large tank to fill.  You could save a bundle that way.  t^

Heck, if you trailered to get fuel, you could also clean the bottom and do any maintenance while the boat is out.  Another plus. t^

I agree!!!

If you can not position your boat and vehicle without rolling around the caddy, I would not do it. TOO MUCH RISK!!!
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 22, 2008, 12:01:16 PM
think about this also.. It will cost you, for a good one, about $300.00..... to save $.50 a gallon.. is it worth it..
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Pops Soul on January 22, 2008, 12:31:14 PM
Good luck finding a marina that will let you do that.
That is a BIG (VERY BIG) No-No.
whs
Alot of it has to do with insurance and EPA
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: mboy on January 22, 2008, 12:39:24 PM
And the fact that they sell gas and want you to buy it from them, but more then anything is the liability factor.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 22, 2008, 12:59:23 PM
They want you to believe it's the liability factor, but it's all about the Benjamins.

If it was liability, they wouldn't allow half the boaters to run their boats out of the slip, they would make them use oars until they cleared the marina.   TT^ TT^
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: ped579 on January 22, 2008, 01:07:00 PM
Even then they would probably make you rent the oars from them... chrz
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: bassnblues on January 22, 2008, 01:26:06 PM
I did it a lot last year. Got 2 10 gallon gas can  and poured 'em in.

As for liability, there's no rules against using gas cans if you trailer and offsore boats carry extra gass all the time. If it's a certified red gas container, what's the problem.

Couldn't care less if the marina has a problem with it. I'm paying them over 2K a year so the way I see it, I'm the customer and if I'm not breaking any laws they can KMA...
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: mboy on January 22, 2008, 01:34:03 PM
Most do have it written in their contract that says you can't pour at the  dock. Nothing from stopping you from bringing your cans, then going out a bit and pouring there. Most marinas will give you sh!t for it if you do it at the dock.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 22, 2008, 01:37:31 PM
Mike is absolutely right.  Most do ban it and some will kick you out of the marina if you don't comply.  It is written into some contracts.  I see the time where it will be in all contracts, especially the marina where they have a gas dock.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 22, 2008, 02:56:43 PM
 t^
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: TurboDan on January 22, 2008, 06:57:33 PM
Wow, I've never heard of it.  Guess my marina is pretty laid back, because everyone uses cans and caddies. It doesn't have a gas dock though, so maybe that's a part of it.  I've bought gas on the water once in the past 8 years.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: PeggyLee on January 22, 2008, 10:21:14 PM
I agree with what you cats have stated. Some marinas look the other way if they don't pump their own, others want you to buy from them at a drop dead price.
Using the Caddy is in everybodys mind to safe a few bucks BUT the risk is too much.
TRUE STORY: I knew a guy who fueled up and brought the plastic jug up to his truck, lit a cigerett and he and the truck BLEW up.He begged the EMS and cops to shoot him on the way to Emergency room.His funeral was sad.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 23, 2008, 07:11:38 AM
I did it a lot last year. Got 2 10 gallon gas can  and poured 'em in.

As for liability, there's no rules against using gas cans if you trailer and offsore boats carry extra gass all the time. If it's a certified red gas container, what's the problem.

Couldn't care less if the marina has a problem with it. I'm paying them over 2K a year so the way I see it, I'm the customer and if I'm not breaking any laws they can KMA...
good theory.. 
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 23, 2008, 07:27:57 AM
I have four 5 gallon cans.  I used to tote them to the gas station and then the boat.  Although the savings would be any where from a quarter to a half dollar a gallon savings, the time consumed in getting the gas at the station to transporting to the boat, to pouring into the fuel tanks in the boat, made it too much of a chore for me to continue to use them.  Now, I just get my fuel at the dock and suck up the extra that it costs. 
Oh yeah, it does help when the crew pays for the gas.   TT^
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: bassnblues on January 23, 2008, 08:06:31 AM
I should point out that I only do it when I leave at the crack of dawn before the gas dock is open and I need gas for the day...

Still don't like the idea of being told where I can and can't buy something.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: IrishAyes on January 23, 2008, 08:10:06 AM
I should point out that I only do it when I leave at the crack of dawn before the gas dock is open and I need gas for the day...

Still don't like the idea of being told where I can and can't buy something.

I have a key to the gas dock at the Belmar Dock.  That gives 24/7 access to fuel.

I feel your pain with being told where I can and can't purchase something also. 
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: mboy on January 23, 2008, 08:19:16 AM
I should point out that I only do it when I leave at the crack of dawn before the gas dock is open and I need gas for the day...

Still don't like the idea of being told where I can and can't buy something.

You would love Keyport Marine Basin then. God forbid they catch you buying bait somewhere else.
 They actually followed my father to his boat to yell at him about it one time after being at the marina for 15+ years and buying 2 boats from them. All for something they didn't even sell in there tackle Dept.   5hrug
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: bassnblues on January 23, 2008, 08:39:31 AM
Actually I was at KMB for 6 years. Rarley bought bait there...
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: mboy on January 23, 2008, 08:54:58 AM
Guess you were lucky they didn't catch you. I literally watched one of the owners yell at my father for buying bucktail hair for fluke rig and a pint of killies from Crabby's.
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 23, 2008, 09:59:53 AM
Actually I was at KMB for 6 years. Rarley bought bait there...
thats crazy..
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: bassnblues on January 23, 2008, 10:03:42 AM
Actually I was at KMB for 6 years. Rarley bought bait there...
thats crazy..

Why's that crazy? 5hrug
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on January 23, 2008, 10:04:53 AM
not that quote.. sorry, about Mikes post where the marina didn't want you to buy bait somewhere else..
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: Hunter 2 on January 23, 2008, 10:33:44 AM
Would the Marina frown upon a throw net too? :-\
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: bassnblues on January 23, 2008, 10:36:46 AM
not that quote.. sorry, about Mikes post where the marina didn't want you to buy bait somewhere else..

Ahhh...yep that's about as crazy as it gets!
Title: Re: Fueling up the boat-gas caddy?
Post by: mboy on January 23, 2008, 12:12:09 PM
Actually, there biat wasn't bad fom what I recall. Always had Killies even during shortage and we did buy bait there 99.9% of the time.

One day my pops ran our of bucktail hair, went over to Crabby's and bought it there since KMB did not carry it. While he was there, he decided to buy a pint of killies because he was already standing there.

They either saw his car out front or saw him carrying a Cerabby's bag and followed him from parking lot to boat to yel at him for buying bait somewhere else.

I Sh!t you not!