Its all very taxing

[BarryH]

With every oil burning boater up and down the land getting hot under the collar about the lose of red diesel in 2007 (apparently). Whats the tax position on running on alternative fuels. Obviously there's VAT. Is red diesel ruduced or tax free, chance would be a fine thing!
So using and alternative fuel. It won't be used on the road so it won't come under "road fuels". Its not a heating fuel, so won't be taxed as such. Which brings me onto petrol. I've been looking at what other fuel I can bung in the tank to run the Red Dread on. Alcahol seems favorite. They've been doing it in Brazil for years. Whats the position on running the boat on industrial strength stuff.
I've found a supplier who can do it at 45p a ltr. Half the cost of waterside unleaded. How would it be taxed as its not designed as a fuel. Its not good to drink as it would kill you. The price quoted includes vat.
The engine would run on it with a bit of modification to the ignition system. Where would I stand re the tax bit. Would it be liable to incur any tax or not? I've never been asked where I got the fuel in my boat tanks and no ones ever checked it.

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[duncan]

personally I am in discussions with a chip shop - the law seems to revolve around road vehicles as you indicate so there is no law that says I can't use an alternative fuel at whatever price it costs in a boat; provided of course I don't use the boat on the road!.
Unless they plan to introduce a new law?

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[Dave_Snelson]

Check this out then chaps....

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.northwales.org.uk/bio-power/index.htm>http://www.northwales.org.uk/bio-power/index.htm</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[BarryH]

That all very informative, but I'm talking about an alternative to running petrol, not diesel. Ok so there is, was, LPG. Which is all fine and dandy if you've got a spare 3or 4K knocking about to convert your petrol engine. Running on alcohol theres no mods that need be carried out, except for ignitiuon timing. Which we all reset when leaded petrol was withdrawn.
This industrial alcohol stuff is cheap. Half the cost of unleaded and apparently burns cleaner and is better for the engine. Bit like lpg really but without all the mods to the lump.

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[Dave_Snelson]

I was lucky Barry, in that LPG was retained at the marina where I fill up. I'm not at all sure whether thats a forever thing though, so your industrial alcohol idea could be good.

Why not search the web to see if others have done it, or email the original engine makers (not the guys that stick their own badge on) and see if the conversion is acceptable.

I don't think anyone could stop you using this quite fronkly - 'cos it has nothing to do with cars or the road.

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[milltech]

Better still, though not currently available would be hydrogen. What could be better than a fuel that comes from water?

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[BarryH]

Have done. Theres quite a bit out there it was <A target="_blank" HREF=http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/>this one</A> that first got me thinking about it. Then I just asked a few questions

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[Scarron]

So what sort of Industrial alchohol are we talking about? I'd really like to know more, as I have done a bit of research on running on methanol, which I can obtain in industrial qtys' for work [£0.53p/ltr in 205 ltr drums]. But, - you do have to re-jet much richer and consequently the increased consumption narrows the competitive advantage, plus the engine runs a lot hotter [and makes more power].

Trouble is; - a prospective purchase I'm looking at has a pair of Volvo 171s which would probably go bang if they made any more power [or so I'm led to believe] has anyone else got any experience - good or bad of these engines?

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[Dave1258]

Alternative fuels are a novel idea, but what engine modifications are needed to burn the stuff?, how much will the mods cost? will we notice a difference in performance?, /forums/images/icons/mad.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Someday my ship will come in, and with my luck I'll be at the airport!.

 

[BarryH]

Have a look at the link in my other post. It goes into detail re engine carb mods. Basically some alloys are not that good handling alcohol. Bigger jets to make things a bit richer and adjusting the ignition.

Its quite an informative site. Have a look round it. It even tells you how to make the stuff yourself. Although I'm not into making it, just burning it.

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[Dave1258]

OOOhh!! like that idea...turning beer into fuel!! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
Just got to work out now how the beer can get from my bladder, through that machine then into the fuel tank!! /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Someday my ship will come in, and with my luck I'll be at the airport!.

 

[Col]

From memory you have to increase the jet size by (I think) 50% or 100% to burn Alkyhol. Gives more HP though!


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Vintage port or single malt?

Fill her up please.

Wot would you like sir?

I'll have 100 gallons of single malt in the port tank and 100 gallons of Russian vodka in the starboard one. And a mortgage advance to pay for it. Thanks. Oh and 2 straws and a bag of ice.

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