White Diesel Availability

[westhinder]

Might be useful to put that in your post in future!
Yes you’ll have problems as Belgium took the matter overly seriously and misinterpreted the EU law (which didn’t stop red in tanks at all). Other states are less strict but that doesn’t help you at home, sadly, and isn’t worth arguing.
As per my post above, take cans and NI is a good option to refill even if a little inconvenient. Google maps is very useful too, just search petrol station and it’ll show the closest ones on a map.

Thanks.
My location is stated in the column left of this, under my avatar

 

[Snowgoose-1]

I find most marinas are very helpful with regard to fuel. They will run you to the nearest fuel station and back if you are happy with cans.

 

[gjgm]

As you may know the use of red diesel is forbidden in the EU. Even if you can show the receipts, customs will levy a fine on the basis of the capacity of your tank, with a minimum of €500 for a tank of up to 100 liter. We have 200 liter capacity.
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Not on my many visits to France, anyway, and being boarded a few times.

 

[gjgm]

As you may know the use of red diesel is forbidden in the EU. Even if you can show the receipts, customs will levy a fine on the basis of the capacity of your tank, with a minimum of €500 for a tank of up to 100 liter. We have 200 liter capacity.
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Not in my many visits to France, anyway, and being boarded a few times.
UK flagged boat, to add.

 

[Momac]

What are the current rules for Red? I was under the impression that boats were no longer permitted to use it, but maybe I have got that wrong?

Yes you are wrong assuming we are talking about diesel in England Scotland and Wales.

 

[lustyd]

in England Scotland and Wales

Great Britain is what we call that

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Planning our summer cruise to Scotland I was wondering where I could fill up with white diesel.

Diesel supplies are expected to become problematic in the UK from the middle of April if the current Iran situation continues. In previous shortages many fuel stations banned filling up cans. If it is rationed in the UK leisure boats are likely to be at the bottom of the list of priorities. I can't predict the future but it's something to keep in mind.

It may be worth getting a metal jerry can or two with a pipe takeoff lid that you could temporarily plumb in as a separate tank holding red, and fill them when you can.

Sealey JCA2 Sealey Jerry Can Adaptor Double Tube Jerry Cans Fuel Cans Work Tools | eBay UK

 

[Minerva]

It may be worth getting a metal jerry can or two with a pipe takeoff lid that you could temporarily plumb in as a separate tank holding red, and fill them when you can.

Sealey JCA2 Sealey Jerry Can Adaptor Double Tube Jerry Cans Fuel Cans Work Tools | eBay UK

that’s a good idea! you can use red diesel from a temporary “day tank” and leave your main tank unsullied.

Is this a new change for this season? I’ve seen plenty of European boats getting filled just as locals using red.

 

[dunedin]

…
Thanks for the info, I have been to Tobermory and Mallaig, not to Ardrossan.
I am especially interested in possibilities in the East coast harbours as we will do the longest passages there.

As you are probably aware, the East coast is much less well served with deep water harbours than the west - even before start to think about fuel access.
And just heard that Peterhead Marina, one of the key stop off points (albeit not at LW) has had storm damage and closed to visitors - hopefully will have reopened by the time you are passing.
As before, the best way to check for white diesel is Google Maps to see how close the nearest petrol stations are. And often a local may help if necessary getting you to and from.
I would suggest bringing a few 20L plastic cans and filling these (with white road diesel) before doing any longer legs with uncertain supplies. Do you have a folding trolley to help pull them, as another worthwhile item (we got a cheap one on Amazon),

 

[Baddox]

There is a filling station selling diesel a few hundred meters away from the lochs at Fort Augustus in the Caledonian canal. East of the canal on the coast of the Firth is Lossiemouth which has a garage selling diesel next to the quayside, although the marina depth can be limited.

And just heard that Peterhead Marina, one of the key stop off points (albeit not at LW) has had storm damage and closed to visitors - hopefully will have reopened by the time you are passing.

What has happened to Peterhead? We were there last year and it seemed very sheltered and had a good depth. The fuel station in the town is about a 20 minute walk so not ideal if you want to avoid using the marina's red diesel.

 

[lustyd]

that’s a good idea! you can use red diesel from a temporary “day tank” and leave your main tank unsullied.

No, it isn’t. The law is specifically filling with red so cans of red are worse than red in the main tank. Sadly OP is in a state that misinterpreted that law and is quite militant. UK boats are now OK because they were told to stand down, but local boats are not.

Is this a new change for this season? I’ve seen plenty of European boats getting filled just as locals using red.

Some people follow the law and some take the risk. It isn’t new but most states don’t enforce it so it doesn’t affect many people and the majority take the risk with no consequences.
OP is probably right to be cautious though if you’ve followed the story over the years.

 

[Purple Velvet]

so cans of red are worse than red in the main tank

When does a can become a portable auxiliary fuel tank? ;-)

 

[AngusMcDoon]

When does a can become a portable auxiliary fuel tank? ;-)

My idea is to use the red cans with a pipe take off lid as an auxiliary tank with red diesel while in the UK as that may be all that is available this summer. Then before leaving the UK empty them by using it or selling/giving it to someone else so that when he returns to Belgium he'll have an uncontaminated main tank and some cans with air in. If he's worried about having empty jerry cans with a whiff of red diesel in he could give those away before returning as well. They're not expensive.

 

[Purple Velvet]

If he's worried about having empty jerry cans with a whiff of red diesel in he could give those away before returning as well. They're not expensive.

Fill them with seawater!

 

[lustyd]

When does a can become a portable auxiliary fuel tank? ;-)

When it’s not portable. Fix it permanently in place with a filler and it’s a (useless and small) boat tank. Tax fraud isn’t something to mess with usually.

 

[Minerva]

Could something like this be made to work for when in the uk? - plumb it in as an isolated day tank? You can ensure it’s all empty for when you return to the continent

Force 4 Fuel Tanks for Petrol or Diesel

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Could something like this be made to work for when in the uk? - plumb it in as an isolated day tank? You can ensure it’s all empty for when you return to the continent

Force 4 Fuel Tanks for Petrol or Diesel

Yes if the OP has space. Jerry cans are cheaper & may be easier to stash in a locker. Easier to empty too when the time comes to return to Belgium.

 

[SaltIre]

Diesel supplies are expected to become problematic in the UK from the middle of April if the current Iran situation continues. In previous shortages many fuel stations banned filling up cans. If it is rationed in the UK leisure boats are likely to be at the bottom of the list of priorities. I can't predict the future but it's something to keep in mind.

It may be worth getting a metal jerry can or two with a pipe takeoff lid that you could temporarily plumb in as a separate tank holding red, and fill them when you can.

Sealey JCA2 Sealey Jerry Can Adaptor Double Tube Jerry Cans Fuel Cans Work Tools | eBay UK

The return hose to the Jerry Can is obviously important. It would be an own goal to allow the engine to draw red diesel and "return" half of it to the main tank.

 

[lustyd]

Yes if the OP has space. Jerry cans are cheaper & may be easier to stash in a locker. Easier to empty too when the time comes to return to Belgium.

Ah I missed the bin when going home part. Yes that’s clever then.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

The return hose to the Jerry Can is obviously important.

It might not be important. My Perkins 4236 was fitted with return and when I changed the fuel filters and lines from CAV to Vetus spin on, I left out the return pipework. it's been running like that for 15 years. It will depend on lift pump design, it needs a by pass that lifts the non return ball off its seat if dead heading.