Pulling up to a gas dock question

[Vista600]

Hey All,

A couple of somewhat simplistic questions:
1) When approaching a gas dock, does it matter which side I dock? I'm more comfortable with the port side to the dock, but the fuel is filled starboard. So, does it matter?

2) The dock I will use has soft-sided bumpers attached, so I will likely not deploy fenders. Do I just throw a couple lines once I stop? (It is attended)

3) Do I fill the fuel myself or does the dock girl do that?

....just getting ready for summer with the new boat and would like to make as few mistakes as possible. Yes, I know there will be plenty to be made.

Cheers!

 

[Shark_bait99]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

ice off Friday!!
1. they can reach, dock on the side thats easiest for you.
2. if you are new to boating like me, throw out the fenders anyway. Doesnt hurt. I made it a goal to be able to do everything without help. If there is someone there, great, but be ready to do it yourself. Instructing your first mates on the fly is not always that effective.
3. i've always filled up myself, but if shes cute enough...
good luck, be safe and dont be afraid to practice

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

I haven't been to many fuel docks but the local one I use I tie up my self. The pumps are kept turned off so the staff has to do the fueling I believe it is state law here. I suspect each dock has its own rules.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

If you have a wind or current dock into both/either as it is a lot easier to steer your boat heading into them.

It's easiest to catch the stern davit first as it's handy and then with a little power the boat will nestle against the pier and sit there while you catch the bow line.

Suit the occasion on fenders.

Close all hatches before fueling and run the blower for a few minutes afterwards to blow out any fumes that may have accumulated.

I'd do my own fueling that way I don't have a problem with messed up fuel fill plugs, over filling, or spills. Have no idea about state statutes. If the dock has to have a person at the refueling fine. Let him/her watch and they can hand you the nozzle and you can hand it back to them when finished. I think most of the "they do it" is to reduce theft. I had a similar problem back before self service. I had a real hard time letting some whoknows touch my vehicle and especially when they would run fuel up in the neck just to get that extra dime or so. Remember when GM had the fill behind the license plate? And yes I used to pump gas for 50 cents an hour when I was a kid.

Mark

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

Close all hatches before fueling and run the blower for a few minutes afterwards to blow out any fumes that may have accumulated.

I'd do my own fueling that way I don't have a problem with messed up fuel fill plugs, over filling, or spills. Have no idea about state statutes. If the dock has to have a person at the refueling fine. Let him/her watch and they can hand you the nozzle and you can hand it back to them when finished. I think most of the "they do it" is to reduce theft.

Many states have requirements that won't allow an individual to pump fuel at a dock, and even more so, very few gas station liability policies will cover them if a customer dumps fuel in the water. At least from what I've seen, it has never once been to reduce theft. (There isn't a single gas station around here that is even pre-pay on the auto side, gas station driveoffs are very, very rare.) Obviously that is going to be different for every state, and for every gas station dock.

As far as hatches, I ALWAYS stick my head down into the engine compartment after filling. Far too easy for something like a fuel tank vent line to come off and end up dumping raw fuel into the bilge. Running the blower will only clear out fumes, if there is half an inch of raw fuel at the bottom it won't do anything useful, other than maybe lower the air/fuel ratio down to the combustible range.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

Personally, unless wind and current dictate otherwise I dock on my fill side so that they don't drag a 10 year old black rubber hose across my boat and if I don't fuel myself I ALWAYS watch em..... They fuel boats all day and can get complacent... 50 gallons of fuel pumped into the water tank or sewage tank HAPPENS!

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

I do my own and if the hose reaches then dock any way you want to. I always tip a few bucks when done as they help with the lines and a push off.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

Really no set rules for your questions, I think it is based on what you are comfortable with. I don't fuel up on the water ever if I can avoid it. My 19 footer always sits on the trailer.
Not sure why you would close all hatches prior to refueling, but as long as you are running the fan for a good 4-5 minutes after fueling, you should be in good shape.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

With a bit of practice you will feel comfortable docking on both sides of the boat. If it is attended you can toss a line to the attendee. But in my experience they are only attended during busy times. You should practice so that you can handle it by yourself if need be.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

You close hatches to prevent fumes from entering

 

[briangcc]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

All the gas docks I've used have been full service. If conditions allow, I try to pull up so the fill is closest to the attendant. No need to make them work harder than necessary. I do use bumpers and I usually have my crew tie off on the dock. Then we all disembark - again, gas dock policy that no one is on board while they are filling it. When finished, I usually tip a couple bucks and reverse the process used to tie up.

**The one gas dock I did frequent was attended by my cousin so I got flack if I didn't tip :facepalm:

 

[agallant80]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

Have your lines ready to go before you pull up. It makes life easier for everyone.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

You close hatches to prevent fumes from entering

Yup. If that isn't part of your fueling procedure, it should be. Along with the bilge 'sniff test' after pumping, and BEFORE you start the blower.

Fuel dock attendants around here automatically hand the nozzle to the boat operator who is expected to pump his own gasoline. I've never had an attendant offer to handle the pump.

If a spill or other accident occurs at the 'boat end' of the hose, it falls on the boat owner, not the fuel dock owner. Another good reason to have insurance.

My .02

 

[sasto]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

I always hail the marina on my VHF (cell phone if needed) to let them know my intentions. Many like me to use their docklines which are already in place. I ask them where they want me. They usually don't want you in the middle of the dock in case other boats need to tie up along with you. Where I live, the dockmaster hands me the fuel hose. They could care less which side I pull the boat dockside. Be courteous and don't worry....they have seen it all!!!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

So far I have never encountered any gas dock where I needed fenders lines... they have all had their own in position ready to go.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

Pull up to the dock on the side where your fuel fill is located, or the dock girl will spank you

Also, not standard procedure to bring the hose/nozzle across the boat, if you can avoid it.

How much $$$/gallon are we looking at per gallon in your area?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

Pull up to the dock on the side where your fuel fill is located, or the dock girl will spank you

Well that settles that.... backwards from now on!

 

[aldena]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

Wait... you have a dock girl?

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

what if i want the dock girls to spank me

 

[emilsr]

Re: Pulling up to a gas dock question

Hey All,

A couple of somewhat simplistic questions:
1) When approaching a gas dock, does it matter which side I dock? I'm more comfortable with the port side to the dock, but the fuel is filled starboard. So, does it matter?

2) The dock I will use has soft-sided bumpers attached, so I will likely not deploy fenders. Do I just throw a couple lines once I stop? (It is attended)

3) Do I fill the fuel myself or does the dock girl do that?

....just getting ready for summer with the new boat and would like to make as few mistakes as possible. Yes, I know there will be plenty to be made.

Cheers!

1. As others have mentioned, dock with the fuel fill to the dock.
2. Fenders are ALWAYS a good idea. Don't count on the ones at the dock.
3. You CAN fuel yourself....just depends on how busy it is at the fuel dock.

A few other tips.....

Some places will track your fuel useage and even submit the paperwork to the state to get your 17 cent/gallon refund. For that reason I tended to buy fuel in the same place all the time (Berger's marina was in our cove....that's who I used and who I also used for maintenance).

Some places will give you a discount if you have a Midwestboatparty.com card. Worth checking that site out (if you aren't on it already). Lots of good folks who will be able to school you on all things LOTO, and you'll probably wind up meeting many of them on the lake anyway.

Finally, if the dock girl with the star tattoos is still at Kelly's Port, it's worth going there just for the view. The same goes for the redhead at Frankie and Louies. Better yet, buy $10 worth of gas at ALL the fuel docks.