Taking on Diesel the Belgian Way

This is unashamedly a post for boat nerds.  Us boat nerds like to talk about all sorts of strange things like black water (poo), and setting springs (ropes) when we moor.  Today I want to share a first time experience in buying some diesel.

I should explain for non-boaters that I have a pretty large diesel tank (no, not compensating for something . . .).  Actually, I have 2 and together they take 1200 litres.  A 'fill-up' on our boat costs well over £1000.  That's the bad news,  The good news is that a tank-full will last a whole season of cruising.  We last topped up in August and we were still around half full in the main tank.

Price is everything and a few cents difference at the pump adds up to a lot when you're buying loads.  So we're always looking out for a good price but marinas tend to load the price heavily because boaters can't generally pop down to the supermarket petrol station.  Except today . . .


Our harbour-master in Oudenaarde asked if we wanted fuel.  I said yes but looking around couldn't see a pump.  I asked what the price was.  He looked puzzled and said 'the same as your car'.  He said he could bring 220 litres.

He returned towing a small trailer containing a tank and pump equipment.  Being the first visiting boat of the season, I was worried that I was buying old fuel.  But he invited me into the car and we headed to the petrol station where we just filled up at the pump, at the best price available.  Still €1.37 though!  The pump was limited to 90 litres so I had to stick my bank card in 3 times to fill his tank.

Back to the marina and the trailer's pump transferred 220 litres into Taddy quicker than the petrol station pump.

The harbour master must have spent around an hour on this task but only wanted €5 as a service charge for using his car.  I could have done with another trip to the petrol station but didn't have heart to ask him.

A long-winded way of buying some fuel but I got fresh diesel at the best price available.  And what a fun way to spend an hour.  See, told you I was a nerd!

We're now tied up at a lovely rural mooring on the Bovenschelde.  Ideal dog mooring!

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