Tips for a newbie! Bunkering and fuel around the Thames and North Kent.

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Alondonboy

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Simple question. Does anyone know if there is a map or website of bunkering or refueling points on the tidal Thames and the Medway/ North Kent coast?

Have 3 x 20 litre cans and 55 Gallon tank so should get 4-5 hours on a full tank and a good hour, maybe 2 from tins. Problem I have is I'm petrol which doesn't help.
 
Can't help with website but diesel fuel is available from a barge near Tower Bridge and from Gillingham and Chat ham Maritime on the Medway.
 
Thanks, but as I say I'm petrol which I've heard is harder to get. Even to hear of moorings with a petrol station nearby would be helpful.
 
I think there is an Asda filling station in close proximity to Gallions Point Marina........ it's been a long while though..... check first.
 
Thanks for the tip, I'll look into it. I'm hoping there's something out there that offers this information as on water it seems to be a regular issue.
 
Been there done that...............

Alondonboy said:
Simple question. Does anyone know if there is a map or website of bunkering or refueling points on the tidal Thames and the Medway/ North Kent coast?

Have 3 x 20 litre cans and 55 Gallon tank so should get 4-5 hours on a full tank and a good hour, maybe 2 from tins. Problem I have is I'm petrol which doesn't help.
Click to expand...


For the Medway....the only two Marinas were you will be able to get any petrol direct from pump will be Gillingham and MDL Chatham.(Dockyard.)
At Gillingham, pump is on outside pontoon, Chatham you will have to go into marina via lock. Not as bad as it sounds as you will not at the mercy of passing wash/wind etc when you refuel.
If you go to Chatham or Rochester town centre, expect a good half mile walk to get any cans filled.
Queenborough at mouth of Medway has petrol station about a mile away from the moorings.
Allington Marina above tidal lock still does petrol.
As for the tidal Thames, cannot think of any direct places you can fill up, so it would be case of finding somewhere to stop with a service station within staggering distance of your boat.
As for North Kent Coast until Ramsgate, apart from going up Faversham Creek...........no chance.
Remember that marina fuel will be 50% more expensive than ordinary garage and garages disapprove strongly of you filling up plastic containers on their forecourts, you may need to do it surreptitiously or very fast and argue when they tell you to stop.
Oooo...and something else.
If you are trying to refill your boat from a can midstream...the following ratio applies
30% in tank
30% over the side
30% over you
10% inhaled..
ie.not a good idea. :)
 
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Thanks all for tips and advice, guess I'm going to have to look deeper into trips down the river. Wanting to venture out more this year so am thinking of doing a couple of estuary trips before the summer to find my feet (or sea legs as the case might be) before a trip to the coast. Have also joined a club where I know for sure one member does regular trips so will need to speak to them. Never even considered at the start, fuel would be such a problem.
 
Alondonboy said:
Thanks all for tips and advice, guess I'm going to have to look deeper into trips down the river. Wanting to venture out more this year so am thinking of doing a couple of estuary trips before the summer to find my feet (or sea legs as the case might be) before a trip to the coast. Have also joined a club where I know for sure one member does regular trips so will need to speak to them. Never even considered at the start, fuel would be such a problem.
Click to expand...
Remember a boater who bought a sports boat on the Thames powered by 2x V6 Volvos. Just about affordable pootling between locks but one day wanted to bring it round to the Medway on a boat club cruise. Back on the market a few weeks later.
This is why virtually everybody with any serious long term thoughts about staying in the boaty world ends up with diesel.
You will always find some sad self deluding souls going into very convoluted and complicated arguments regarding the money you save when purchasing a petrol,buying a whole mountain of fuel.
At some point they go very quiet and buy a diesel boat. :)
To most folks on here you are merely following the well worn path that we all went down years ago.
Have fun with your boat.
You may now like bring up the subject of outdrives :):):)
 
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I nearly purchased a twin Volvo Penta before this, so glad I didn't. I'm not overly worried about the fuel cost as it's not something I do daily and it's not really been a problem, I didn't buy a boat to 'save' money. Problem is venturing out and finding 'pit stops'. If I could find a list or a map it would be easier to plan. Have an Reeds Digital Almanac on ipad but not worth downloading full copy unless I know it contains relevant info.
 
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