Petrol Availability on the Tidal Thames

[chertsey1]

Back in August last, we spent an excellent week in and around St Kats.

The only small thing spoiling the week was having to be somewhat cautious with our fuel consumption. We knew from the start that refuelling would either be returning to Shepperton or the Jerry Can.

Would be great to have a few more river miles in the boat.

We just fell in love with the Tidal Thames.

Any ideas guys ?

 

[Captain Coochie]

The only places i know are local petrol stations and a 20 gallon jerry can . I would say just before Putney Bridge is your best bet . You can moor on the pontoon and take a short walk to the petrol station on the main road just behind the pub . There is a nice fish and chip shop there aswell .

 

[teddington_lock]

[ QUOTE ]
The only places i know are local petrol stations and a 20 gallon jerry can .

[/ QUOTE ]

Good luck carrying that .... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Captain Coochie]

Got that wrong didnt i /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif 20 L

 

[Cliveshep]

Actually, if you're running a big thirsty outboard, a 20 GALLON jerry can is what you'd probably need if you intend going very far on the tideway!!

 

[Captain Coochie]

Thats why i know where all the petrol stations are /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[oldgit]

Gettadiesel /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[alruss]

I run a petrol boat with two old petrol engines on the tidal Thames, petrol is the problem. But worth the trouble, not having to put up with noisy smelly and vibrating diesels. The pleasure ribs are petrol, perhaps they will have a bunker boat that will sell petrol one day.

 

[teddington_lock]

Right up to the point it explodes /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[oldgit]

"not having to put up with noisy smelly and vibrating diesels."

We all start out with petrol boats and have so many fond and cherished memories of petrol engines stalling in lock entrances,failing to start at all prior to your much anticipated day out or even better still conking out in the middle of nowhere with a easterly nicely starting to blow and the sun just dropping below the horizon.
Petrol...and mobile phones.......work of Beelzebub.

 

[apollo]

Tee Hee, yep that has brought some old forgotten memories flooding back (like the carburettors!!) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

There is (was a year or so back) a walkable petrol station for St Kats and Limehouse. Can't confirm on South Dock but I'd be surprised otherwise.

 

[MiskinDriver]

It's a reasonable walk from South Dock to Surrey Quays and the Tesco petrol station - but doable.

Alternatively, I have my boat at South Dock and am often around - PM me and I'll give you a lift if you're stuck.

 

[alruss]

Two petrol engines usually one still going no matter what. My old engines 40 yrs, are simple, no electronics and simple carbs., just keep on going even with diesel in the fuel,
still 20 knots as well.

 

[David2452]

If you nip up Bow Creek at around highish water you can moor alongside the wall and climb the ladder, the petrol station is right there. Admittedly you have to lower the jerry cans to the boat on a piece of rope but you can do more because it’s only 10 yard to carry them.
There is also a petrol station on the Highway (road name) going east about a couple of hundred yards from St Kats.

 

[oldgit]

"Two petrol engines usually one still going no matter what."

Unless you are 3 miles off of Whitstable with wind against tide and a nice lumpy sea building and both your engines die within seconds of each other due to crap cheapo cheapskate boat builder feeding both petrol engines from one tank.
Add one large dose of water from rarely used petrol pump at marina which shall be nameless and whoopee,....good job passing yachty with weedy but nice reliable diesel had the decency to tow us back into the Swale.
After spending ages emptying assorted filters over and over agin and removing a gallon or two of rusty water we limped home on one engine...Bye bye petrol boats forever /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Ps Shortly afterwards the entire contents of the tank dumped themselves into the bilge,when the badly corroded aluminium collapsed in a powdery heap.

 

[alruss]

After 40 years, that is unlikely to happen, and has not yet, with mods to water intakes
no overheating probs. Last year went to Ipswitch, Burnam on Crouch etc no probs. Better maintainance might have helped, in your case. In winter choke and they start, no heaters or frozen fuel. As for exploding, by now it should have happened, with fuel leaks, gas leaks etc.. I towed a diesel yacht for three hours to get him to Queenborough, his diesel, single, u.s.. I run diesel on the road tho.. Note your location the Medway, have been to Rochester twice last season, stayed at Rochester cruising club on both ocasions.