Refuel-gctid819283

[Dunwoody]

How often do you refuel?

I generally burn almost the entire tank

and then fill up. I use Red Line diesel

fuel treatment.

Others have suggested that they refuel

often to keep the tanks near full.

Comments?

[Uncle_Bob]

I run on half tanks so not paying to haul around an extra 1000 pounds. I use Pre-D as an additive.

[iceclimber]

I keep about what I need in the tank, bleeding edge of empty unless I know I'm taking a long haul. Fresh gas is good gas. Also, I can measure in MPH how fuller tanks slow me down.

Besides, you store your money let the marina store the fuel. That is, instead of the other way around.

For storage, tanks should be empty or full is what people say, I say nonsense. Treat your fuel correctly, use filtration/separators and you will be fine. I had a friend that obsesses over this issue to the point that he paid to have a fuel polishing system installed. I told him he was nuts, the mechanic that did the work told him he was nuts. To date his fuel polishing system has found nothing. Yes, diesel in particular can have problems but if you burn it not store it, no problem.

[ksanders]

I keep the tanks pretty much full most of the time.

But my average trip is a bit over 200 NM, so all I'm doing is preparing for the next trip.

[The_Other_Gary]

We bring in a diesel truck about every 3 to 4 weeks at a price about a third less than the marinas so I fuel then and fill up.

Makes no sense not to.

[Omega]

It depends on the time of year. But I seem to refuel every couple, three weeks during the summer and bimonthly during the winter, depending on the events (e.g. Christmas present cruises, etc).

During the summer I run to half full or so before I refuel. I carry 800 gallons. That is unless I'm running by Des Moines discount Monday's (which is always the cheapest around) . It saves an extra .10 a gallon... wooohoooo! When loading up 400-500 gallons, the extra discount pays for lunch... In the summer I don't worry about condensate in the tanks to cause issues with the fuel or even prematurely damage tech tanks themselves .

During the winter, I keep the tanks as full as I can. Yes, I treat my fuel at every fill up and have separators and filters galore on each engine and the generator, but I don't like to rely on them 100%, as I had an issue on a previous boat that appeared to be caused by moisture in the fuel tanks. I often cruise in the winter, so even then, I refuel often. The only problem I run into during the winter is making it to the fuel dock before they close due to thier winter hours...

I hope this helps,

~BJ

OMEGA

5788

[yachtman]

I keep what I need 1/4 to half. (That's still 100 gallons) if I'm going on a long trip I fill. I don't store full either.

[Destiny_4588]

We refuel at roughly 1/4 (measure at rest). My thinking is to burn up as much diesel as possible and always have enough to get somewhere in hurry if we need to. Also helps in our area as you get the commerical rate due to the volume 350+ galloon.

As a side note, We just are completing a hull extension which includes 2 fuel storage tanks and to at rest ballast tanks, to give us more range for longer trips. Just sharing as we plan to have those empty when doing short runs and filled up for longer runs (we will transfer fuel forward as soon as the main tanks can take it (each storage tank is 120 gallons).

Basically I feel it is not a time thing, it is a balancing the useful life of diesel even with treatment it does still age just do some googling and you find many articles on this.

Ps we use AXI additive and have had great luck with it for the last 10+ years (no algrae, no slucge or water at bottom of tanks and less smoke. (Also have Racor R900's and AXI magnets conditioners )

http://www.axi-international.com/solutions/fuel-additives/afc-705-diesel-fuel-additive/

http://www.axi-international.com/inline-magnetic-fuel-conditioners/

[mmichellich]

"The Other Gary" post=819329 wrote:
We bring in a diesel truck about every 3 to 4 weeks at a price about a third less than the marinas so I fuel then and fill up.

Makes no sense not to.

If any taxes are avoided is it legal?

[The_Other_Gary]

We use the same supplier as the big dinner cruise boats in Toronto harbor as they are insured for marine delivery.

Our bay has no fuel pumps so we band together and do a volume order to get the same price as an independent gas station would pay

for a delivery of fuel.

Last fueling was .90 L while the street price was .99 to 1.02 per L and Marinas 7 to 15 miles away from us varied

from 1.22 to 1.56 per Litre. for 8 boats he delivered 15,000 litres so it is worth it to him as well. Diesel Only.

My part is small at 800 to 900 L but we have 5 boats in the 60 to 65 foot range that really take big amounts.

No taxes are avoided, we just buy smart and pay less. It is also good to know the fuel is fresh.

[kev_rm]

Generally try keep them full. Totally anecdotal but I believe empty space in the tank is directly proportional to condensation and oxygen for critters.

[yachtman]

I believe that condensation is related to where you live for example. I have worked on several gas tanks from boats. Never see water in any of them I'm in pnw but Florida might be completely different

[iceclimber]

On the topic of diesel and age, I had me a long talk with the guy that services huge Cat diesel generators. I asked him how does he keep the fuel right, as the tanks will sit there full for years and years unless there is a long burn on the generators. He said 1) fuel treatment 2) regular exercising of the generator, monthly or every two weeks 3) change filters. They pull samples from the bottom of the tank every six months. It is perfectly feasible to leave diesel lying around for years. Also he gives me free 8 D batteries.

[yachtman]

I have a diesel ford that has been sitting for 3 years inside my shop. Finally been getting around to fix it. I drained the tank last week because I put new injectors in and didn't want to run old fuel through them.

I treated the diesel with stanadine diesel treatment before I stored it. Drained the diesel after 3 years and it was clear as new and zero algee

Treated fuel can last along time.

[iceclimber]

"yachtman" post=819792 wrote:
I have a diesel ford that has been sitting for 3 years inside my shop. Finally been getting around to fix it. I drained the tank last week because I put new injectors in and didn't want to run old fuel through them.

I treated the diesel with stanadine diesel treatment before I stored it. Drained the diesel after 3 years and it was clear as new and zero algee

Treated fuel can last along time.

Why are you working on that and not your boat(s).