HMRC consultation on Red Diesel

[lw395]

I did round Britain ( the proper route) and was surprised by how much was windless. Maybe you don't get out enough to experience that?

I increasingly notice so-called sailing boats motoring down wind, when you meet them on the quay they will moan about the 'apparent' lack of wind. Good friends of mine have sailed around Britain without engines at all. Lots of others have sailed the Atlantic without the convenience of fuel stops.

 

[Daydream believer]

I increasingly notice so-called sailing boats motoring down wind, when you meet them on the quay they will moan about the 'apparent' lack of wind. Good friends of mine have sailed around Britain without engines at all. Lots of others have sailed the Atlantic without the convenience of fuel stops.

So what does that prove? I go to enjoy myself & that includes arriving at the destination at reasonable arrival times. Last year my trip to Camaret from Bradwell I managed 14 hours of true sailing due to lack of wind & adverse tides. This year, to St PP it was the reverse. But how much I used my engine was my choice (as it is for many) & no reason for some to sit in their armchairs & criticise.

I expect that many who leave these shores to cruise Brittainy & similar areas, actually use their engines for over 50% of the time. . That is nothing to do with their sailing ability, but more the constraints of weather & tides.

I am guessing- so there will be some who disagree with the following:-

Those who only claim to use a few litres a year, probably do a few miles up the coast for a single trip or two, with no longer term target so drifting along is not an issue. That is how it is with me if I just want to go to, say, Harwich, 25 miles up the coast.

However, go for a longer trip of 6-700 miles, with a target of a dozen ports on the way, & one finds that one has to get a move on & tidal gates etc become an issue. Then the engine gets used a lot more.

 

[lw395]

So what does that prove? I go to enjoy myself & that includes arriving at the destination at reasonable arrival times. Last year my trip to Camaret from Bradwell I managed 14 hours of true sailing due to lack of wind & adverse tides. This year, to St PP it was the reverse. But how much I used my engine was my choice (as it is for many) & no reason for some to sit in their armchairs & criticise.

The point is that sailing yachts (and their owners) have evolved to be dependent on the facilities that they are used to. It's not impossible to go sailing with less facilities. People, having failed to get out of their armchairs for the 11 years of compromise are going to either have to adapt their sailing to the facilities available, wait for some entrepreneur to see the market and provide those facilities, or get off their backsides and provide their own.
If this was a big issue in my club, I think we'd be looking at the club working together to help each other. Maybe get a tank or bowser of our own or something? Maybe McSailing needs to think regionally?

You join something like the EU, you have to take the disadvantages if you want the advantages.

Alternatively, one could take the view that fishing boats should pay the same duty as lorries. I don't see that going down too well.

 

[dgadee]

I increasingly notice so-called sailing boats motoring down wind, when you meet them on the quay they will moan about the 'apparent' lack of wind. Good friends of mine have sailed around Britain without engines at all. Lots of others have sailed the Atlantic without the convenience of fuel stops.

It would have taken me months to have got around Britain without an engine. Your friends must have a lot of spare time on their hands.

 

[lw395]

...
I am guessing- so there will be some who disagree with the following:-

Those who only claim to use a few litres a year, probably do a few miles up the coast for a single trip or two, with no longer term target so drifting along is not an issue. That is how it is with me if I just want to go to, say, Harwich, 25 miles up the coast.

However, go for a longer trip of 6-700 miles, with a target of a dozen ports on the way, & one finds that one has to get a move on & tidal gates etc become an issue. Then the engine gets used a lot more.

I'm guessing the Breton boat I'm looking at, which has no engine, might disagree with that...

 

[lw395]

It would have taken me months to have got around Britain without an engine. Your friends must have a lot of spare time on their hands.

Isn't the record about 4 days?

 

[dgadee]

Isn't the record about 4 days?

I don't know. I presume they had lots of wind. And maybe were professional sailors who don't have to be back at work? You tell me.

 

[[163233]]

Most yotties in Scotland presumably drive cars fuelled by white fuel?

Perhaps most, but some mad souls go there in boats too small to carry a car..

 

[Daydream believer]

I'm guessing the Breton boat I'm looking at, which has no engine, might disagree with that...

Must be the one I saw full of scruffy copulating hippies with nowhere to go & lots of time to get there

 

[Daydream believer]

I don't know. I presume they had lots of wind. And maybe were professional sailors who don't have to be back at work? You tell me.

Of course not!! they were at work:encouragement:

 

[NormanS]

Perhaps most, but some mad souls go there in boats too small to carry a car..

 

[david_bagshaw]

probably a lot of small suppliers will give up , nevermind the extra stocking charge, the tanks will be much more liable to be attacked by the local crims.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

probably a lot of small suppliers will give up , nevermind the extra stocking charge, the tanks will be much more liable to be attacked by the local crims.

If the crims aren’t phased by nicking fuel then they won’t be bothered by the colour. When was the last time you saw a copper testing fuel?

 

[[70521]]

When was the last time you saw a copper testing fuel?

Probably never... That has always been an Excise or whatever they are called now power.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If the crims aren’t phased by nicking fuel then they won’t be bothered by the colour. When was the last time you saw a copper testing fuel?

Just over a week ago, the fuel testing unit was in Shotley marina.

 

[david_bagshaw]

When was the last time you saw a copper testing fuel?

yesterday.

A regular occurance in this part of the midlands. There is a layby near the m way, get vosa , customs and police, and not forgetting the local tow truck to take away the impounded ones.

 

[Bobc]

A regular occurrence at horsey events and anything farmers go to.

 

[Daydream believer]

Used to visit my yard about every 6 months to check my vehicles & I have seen them a couple of times up near the Tyne tunnel.

Not unusual for householders to have their domestic heating fuel tanks emptied whilst they are on holiday either.

 

[Biggles Wader]

Probably never... That has always been an Excise or whatever they are called now power.

That's what I thought. Coppers will be present to manage traffic and such like but Fuel testing is surely done by the relevant revenue people.

 

[Muddy32]

They are often on causeway leading to/from Portland. There is a garage near Brixham that only sells Red diesel.

[and Mercs]