Diesel Fuel

[Rakuflames]

I was surprised the other day to discover that at least locally, the Boat US towboats will bring gasoline out to a boat, but not diesel.

Does anyone know why this is so? Would it be unsafe to carry a jerrycan of diesel fuel onboard?

[markpierce]

Diesel fuel is much safer than gasoline. Perhaps the towboats don't carry diesel because diesel-engined boats are better captained and don't run out of fuel.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Diesel fuel is much safer than gasoline. Perhaps the towboats don't carry diesel because diesel-engined boats are better captained and don't run out of fuel.

Uh-huh ...

[Dame.n.Jess]

Maybe its the technical aspects.

Run out of petrol - Fill tank up and start engine again. Drive off.
Run out of diesel - Fill tank up Bleed fuel system, deal with owners who may have zero idea what this involves etc.

[markpierce]

I turn this valve (and a couple of others) and let the fuel-polishing pump prime the engine.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Dame.n.Jess

Maybe its the technical aspects.

Run out of petrol - Fill tank up and start engine again. Drive off.
Run out of diesel - Fill tank up Bleed fuel system, deal with owners who may have zero idea what this involves etc.

Then they would have to start carrying tools too.
I'm sure this is the case. They are not mechanics or want to be. They get paid for towing or assistance, not repairs/maintenance.

[Ocean Roads]

As a current TowBoatUS Captain in Fort Myers Beach, FL I can tell you that as far as my fleet goes, our diesel boats carry 10 gal of gas and 10 gal of diesel, but our gas boats only carry 10 gal of gas.

I think in all the tows/jobs I have done over the years, I have brought diesel to a boat less then five times. In my diesel tow boat I cycle the 10 gal of diesel into my main tank every month so it does not go bad.

When you run out of diesel you have to prime your system again, but unless you are a sailboat with a relatively small tank, 10 gal of diesel will not do much in a power boat.

Every franchise does things a little different.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Ocean Roads

As a current TowBoatUS Captain in Fort Myers Beach, FL I can tell you that as far as my fleet goes, our diesel boats carry 10 gal of gas and 10 gal of diesel, but our gas boats only carry 10 gal of gas.

I think in all the tows/jobs I have done over the years, I have brought diesel to a boat less then five times. In my diesel tow boat I cycle the 10 gal of diesel into my main tank every month so it does not go bad.

When you run out of diesel you have to prime your system again, but unless you are a sailboat with a relatively small tank, 10 gal of diesel will not do much in a power boat.

Every franchise does things a little different.

Thank you for all the answers. They made sense.