Diesel/heating oil

pessimist

pessimist

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Trundled across to the fuel barge today to get their take on the red diesel issue. They'll allow 30% for heating the rest at full tax rate. We are not hauling out until Feb/March next year and would expect to use almost all of our diesel consumption to go on heating.

I have a full heating oil tank at home and am tempted to pull off a few litres for use on the boat. I don't have a separate tank and so would have to top off the main diesel tank. I understand that this is probably illegal but I don't think it's immoral. If I did this and then used the engine would I be likely to cause any problems?
 
Ther are two types of oil for heating. Most, including you and me, use '28 second' oil which is basically kerosene. The other is the higher viscosity '35 second' which is diesel. I'm sure the additives are different to propulsion fuels but I expect 35 sec oil would run a diesel though I wouldn't like to speak for the long term effects on injectors etc.

A friend who is a lorry fleet operator told me that a diesel will run on up to 30% petrol so a bit of kerosene mixed in with the diesel should be no problem.

I know the tax spies check farmers' land rovers from time to time but I've never heard of boat fuel being tested for the yellow dye they put in heating oil.

Strange that your fuel barge won't allow more than 30% for heating. As far as I know, most places assume 40/60.

In a lot of places now, despite the tax concession on the heating element, it's cheaper to pick up road diesel at your nearest supermarket.

We got most of a season's fuel at 55p in Guernsey. I suspect they will get a lot more business in the future.
 
pessimist said:
Trundled across to the fuel barge today to get their take on the red diesel issue. They'll allow 30% for heating the rest at full tax rate. We are not hauling out until Feb/March next year and would expect to use almost all of our diesel consumption to go on heating.

I have a full heating oil tank at home and am tempted to pull off a few litres for use on the boat. I don't have a separate tank and so would have to top off the main diesel tank. I understand that this is probably illegal but I don't think it's immoral. If I did this and then used the engine would I be likely to cause any problems?
Click to expand...

How you split the duty is your buisiness NOT the opinion of the Barge
 
snowleopard said:
Ther are two types of oil for heating. Most, including you and me, use '28 second' oil which is basically kerosene. The other is the higher viscosity '35 second' which is diesel. I'm sure the additives are different to propulsion fuels but I expect 35 sec oil would run a diesel though I wouldn't like to speak for the long term effects on injectors etc.

A friend who is a lorry fleet operator told me that a diesel will run on up to 30% petrol so a bit of kerosene mixed in with the diesel should be no problem.

I know the tax spies check farmers' land rovers from time to time but I've never heard of boat fuel being tested for the yellow dye they put in heating oil.

Strange that your fuel barge won't allow more than 30% for heating. As far as I know, most places assume 40/60.

In a lot of places now, despite the tax concession on the heating element, it's cheaper to pick up road diesel at your nearest supermarket.

We got most of a season's fuel at 55p in Guernsey. I suspect they will get a lot more business in the future.
Click to expand...
Quote
"Gas Oil is also known as 35 second oil and Red Diesel, this is used most often for commercial, industrial or agricultural use as a source of power or heating. The link here provides Her Majesty's Government details on Permission to use Red Diesel. New rules apply to buying red diesel, these came into force in April 2003."
from here http://www.thewordis.com/oil/red-diesel.htm

I have used paraffin, which is 28sec oil for all practical purposes, 1 gall mixed with half a pint of straight 30 engine oil.

The Allouette 3 choppers we used in Angola were allowed to use diesel as a fuel in an emergency, although at reduced power.

My thoughts are that a blend of red and 28sec (obtainable from my local garage for 35p a liter), is ok, especially in agricultural type engines such as a VP MD22!

I would also add that red is usually obtainable in small country garages for approx 50 - 60p a liter.

Stu
 
sailorman said:
How you split the duty is your buisiness NOT the opinion of the Barge
Click to expand...

Absolutely correct, but many marinas set a rate of 40/60 and will not allow you to purchase fuel other than at that ratio. From what I have seen its because they have there paperwork & rates set for 40/60.
Before I fuel up I phone ahead to check that they will allow me to to set the rate.
 
well i dont know why people even ask these sort of questions as all i do is go to my local garage and fill up as many 25ltr cans as i can and no one even asks what it is for.
 
Tax law?

I'm not a liveaboard, but I do stay onboard a lot and during the winter months, when I rarely leave harbour, I buy my diesel at 10% Propulsion / 90% Heating. Even this ratio is probably being generous to the tax man. My marina allows me to self-declare my usage, as it should. Any harbour that doesn't allow this must surely be breaking the law for charging the wrong tax!
 
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