So how are UK boaters coping with the loss of the red diesel derogation?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted User YDKXO
  • Start date Start date
D

Deleted User YDKXO

Guest
It's been the best part of a year since the UK red diesel derogation has been lost. Predictions on this forum varied between the loss making no difference due to the fact that fuel is not the largest cost in owning a boat to a vision of marine armageddon resulting in empty marinas and worthless boats.

So how have you UK boaters actually coped with the increase in fuel price? I know that the 60/40 split helped a lot and so did the general fall in oil prices last year but what difference did it make to your boating? Do you know boaters who have given up because of this, are you boating less or cruising shorter distances or are you cruising at a slower speed to conserve fuel? Are you visiting the CI more to fill up with cheaper fuel?

What about the 60/40 split? Are all fuel stations working with the system? Are some boaters claiming more or less? What about diesel boats without heating eg RIBS? Are they claiming 60/40 too and what about charter boats? Are they managing to claim the duty back?

I'm interested to know because I'm out of the UK boating scene and there haven't been many discussions about the issue on the forum, at least that I've seen
 
there haven't been many discussions about the issue on the forum, at least that I've seen
Click to expand...
There's your answer, I think - it's had a very limited impact and the tales of doom and gloom that were being bandied about have, by and large, failed to come to pass. However, given that we're in a bit of a spin, economy-wise, at the moment, it's difficult to separate retrenchment because of derogation from retrenchement caused by being a bit skint (or worrying that you may become so). It has made no difference to me; I'm still being robbed blind for litre after litre of fully taxed petrol..... :)
 
Well - we've filled 4 times this season - once at the start, once before our 2 week holiday, once during our 2 week holiday and yesterday.
Each time has been about 60L which equates to about 20-25hours of engine running.
SWMBO was quite pleased when we filled up in St Peter Port at 56ppl (no doubt you can bulk buy cheaper - 60L is not really bulk!)
Fuel cost has certainly not changed our use, nor many other raggies, but the marina staff have noted that although the marinas are full, many more mobos are staying put. Raggie postings have also echoed the apparent lack of mobos "on the water" this year. This is probably a combination of fuel cost, general economy & weather.
 
It's not so much cost of fuel but the darned weather that limits the use of the boat.I've managed to get about 35 hours in so far this year - would happily do another 35 hours if only the weather would play ball!

Eddie
 
It has had an effect, but no to boating.

I filled last weekend, £259, I wont use the boat any less, the the local currey house, the local Italian, the pub, the cinema, the outfits that sell stuff for my old cars will all get less money.

Not helping the smaller businesses.
 
Noticeable in our marina that the mobos 40 ft+ havnt been out this year. Sure the weather has had a bit to do with it, but even the die-hard ones havnt been out nearly as much.

Perhaps the difference between Wales and the South Coast is that as marina fees are significantly less than the south coast, fuel becomes prportionally more and with less competition, fuel prices are highr (~95p/L), thus tipping the balance against usage.
 
At my new location(upper hamble) ive actually used my boat more this year than last year when at Shamrock quay, last year on average I paid 68 p per litre, ive filled up a few times now to keep topped up at the right prices when ive seen them advertised, so its not really bothered me.

Ive been to more different places around the solent rather than big hops to Weymouth and beyond thats when it hits you 80 galllons to Weymouth and back!!

Ive also saved 1900 on last years mooring by moving to what i would say is a far nicer place than the middle of Southampton scrap yards and concrete works!

I do think there are other areas in the marine trade that have suffered quite badly, sales being number 1, lets see how much SBS will be hyped up this year, reflecting its true attendance and selling figures.
 
Pendana said:
It's not so much cost of fuel but the darned weather that limits the use of the boat.I've managed to get about 35 hours in so far this year - would happily do another 35 hours if only the weather would play ball!

Eddie
Click to expand...

Exactly:( the weather and work committments are snookering us.

We topped up last October and the gauges are showing that we have well over 80% left (our tanks hold 2,600 litres)

The weather put paid to our longed for holiday to the West Country and the Channel Islands this July so it has been a very cheap year though we did have a bit of fun going out on our tender.

Perhaps we should move from Chichester. We find it so brilliant there that we are never upset by not being able to get out for the weekend:D

May
xx
 
Fuel isn't that expensive when you consider how many hours per year the average boat is actually running.

For example, this weekend I left Chi and popped round to Gosport, reverse journey yesterday. My boat is a V8 petrol and I think it cost me about £50 in fuel so not going to break the bank.
 
Last edited:
Well, we empty the deep fryer more regularly, and have chucked out the window box geraniums in favour of Rape, but otherwise...................it never stops bloomin raining and blowing!
 
Agree with the weather assumptions. Been very quiet most evenings and weekends at the marina. If I used 10 gallons of juice in my soapdish this year it would surprise me. Although to be fair to the soapdish, it aint her fault that if the weather is cr*p, there's nothing to do onboard, other than huddle miserably under the covers with a can of warm lager, watching the rain piss down through the condensation riddled windows.:o
At least those tin bath sized boats and above can watch a DVD in comfort, over a chilled glass of champers

Seriously weighing up whether the marina fees and other costs are worth it with the weather we have had over the last three years.
I reckon its probably cost over £120 /per engine hour use to keep her in the water this year.:confused:
I'd be better off taking up flying again.

If SWMBO read this post and saw the hourly cost, I would take up flying again - straight out the window. :eek:

A little disillusioned this year.:(
 
60-40 has certainly helped, I think that so long as we are paying less than 90p it feels nice that the pounds is still less than the litres! If you know what I mean? :-)

We brought forward the purchase of our "new" boat to take advantage of the last year of cheap red, we ended up paying more or less what we are paying now!

Our 28 ft twin diesel AD31P returns 30 LPH so well afordable - a friend hs a 36ft flybridge and uses nearly double that!

Happy boating!
 
So far this year I've used 600 litres and have a full tank at present, not excessive usage, but pleased that I got out and about more than some others, I tend to take advantage of the weather when it's there, rather than rely on forecasters predictions, living 5 mins from the boat helps in this regard.

but then the seasons not over yet, there may well be a few good days left yet!
 
Haven't thought too much about it, to be honest. We've had some great times on the boat this year.

It does help that I've made the discovery that if I drop the rpm down to about 1,700 - 1,800 I'm only a couple of knots off my top speed and I use a lot less fuel. Even at WOT I don't really plane so am just moving a few more tonnes of water than if I pull the sticks back a bit.

Ye cannae change the laws of physics, y'know.
 
Not sure what everyone is belly-aching about with the weather. Sure July was bad, but the rest of the year has been surprisingly good.

My cruising season started at the end of March - since then I have done almost 100 hours and burned about 2400 litres of red. Looking at the fuel bills they are actually less than last year as with derogation and marina discount I've been paying an average of 72p per litre. Last year with high oil prices it averaged about 85p a litre so I'm really not unhappy at all. As long as oil prices stay at their current level or thereabouts it will actually encourage me to use the boat more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top