Marine Diesel Dance * Make the Call

A dock mate from Oregon, that keeps his boat up here in Anacortes, WA called me yesterday. He asked if I knew what marine diesel was selling for as the fuel prices around the nation are dropping dramatically over the last few weeks. I topped off 300 gals. in September (boy did that hurt the wallet) so I haven't noticed what the fuel docks are charging lately. I told him I would call around locally and report back.

I called Skyline, Cap Sante and Oak Harbor marinas and was amazed at the fluctuation in today's marine diesel prices. All offered a small discount for 100 plus gallons. The lowest was 3 cents per gal. and the best was 5 cents per gal. One quoted 3.69 another 2.60 and the best was 2.40 before the discounts were applied. All included tax.

What makes such a difference from one to another was worth looking into, so I called the most expensive back and asked. I was told that they set the price based on what they paid when they filled their tanks and don't change it until they refill. Although I can see why this practice exists, It is important to know that a few phone calls to your local marinas can add up to quite a savings.

My vessel carries 600 gallons of diesel. The savings from the highest price to the lowest price that I found today would put $780.00 in my pocket if I went just 4 miles to the other side of the island to fill my tanks.

These times and the almost daily fluctuations in our markets, call for due diligence when purchasing fuel. The days of all area prices being similar are obviously gone!