Buying fuel in Sardinia & Corsica

[terranova]

Hi

I've just arrived on the beautiful island of Sardinia (Marina di Olbia on the NE coast) and the cost of fuel is 1.73 euros/litre. I have been boat-less for a year, but this is much more than I was paying in the Balaerics last year. I contacted a local bunkering service (First Bunker) and discovered that they actually operate the fuel pumps here - 1.73 was their best offer, from the bunker or the pump.

Does anyone know if that is the going rate for Sardinia or if it is perhaps a better option to hop over to Corsica to fuel up. We are planning a trip to Bonifacio in the coming weeks and didn't now if that could be a better option (I need over 3,000 litres) ?

Any suggestions welcomed.

 

[jrudge]

That is indeed the cost.

A few summers ago I was paying 1.80

Mapism of this parish may have some suggestions but based on my experiance I don’t think there are any savings to be made

I asked about tankers and the answer was yes but you had to pay for the fire brigade to attend which eliminated the saving

 

[jfm]

This is the cost nowadays in IT. If you go to Bonifacio and berth on the right (kissing pigs) the fuel truck will come to yr boat 3000 is the bottom limit, but probably they'll do that. Will be 10cents cheaper maybe 20.

 

[MapisM]

Mapism of this parish may have some suggestions but based on my experiance I don’t think there are any savings to be made

Yup, I'm afraid that I also don't have any magic trick to suggest - in fact, I just paid 1.79 myself, so 1.73 actually is a (relatively) good price.
The only BIG difference is if Terranova's boat is commercially registered and operated.
In fact, this would entitle him to buy tax-free fuel, which I think is around half the "normal" price.
It takes a bit of paperwork though, and only specifically authorized fuel docks can handle that.
But at Marina di Olbia they should be able to assist with the details, if interested/applicable.

PS: welcome to "my" island, which I'm pleased to read that you are calling beautiful.
If you are thinking to visit also the southern part of it, gimme a shout.

PPS: does your username have anything to see with these boats, by chance?

 

[Portofino]

Back in 2014 I somehow gained the trust for want of a better word of the locals in Naples ( probably relevant) and a small fuel truck arrived on the dock .
The broker arranged it at 10.30 pm after we fed and watered him and over dinner on the boat discussing tomorrow s arrangement to set off for Cannes , “what time does the fuel pontoon open here “ I asked ? After a bottle or two
It was the last week end in Nov .

“ Let me phone my cousin who will bring the fuel to the berth NOW “

I thought great what a nice chap .

From memory it was circa €1.60 ish back then .However the conversation after taking 2000 L went along the lines of - -
“ There’s two prices ,a white price the one marked on the pump or another price with no paper “
So I enquired what the “other price “ was ?

Cash @€1 / L - in the darkness .

0600 next AM we slipped lines and headed off full .

 

[terranova]

Thanks for all your replies.

JFM - thanks for that tip. It’s not a huge saving but could be worth a £5-600 saving on a fill up so definitely worth trying to arrange given that I’ll be going there anyway.

MapisM - my boat isn’t commercially registered and is a Princess. My username is an old boat name - nothing to do with the boat builder and more to do with dogs ...

I do love Sardinia and read your posts of passages and anchorages around the island with great interest. We’re planning on spending several months next year exploring the waters of both Corsica and Sardinia so will get in touch if we end up visiting Carloforte ??

Portofino - sounds like you dropped lucky there. I must work on my Italian for next season !