Waiting for Gas

[RutgersAl]

So I rented a 21’ Bowrider out of Lavellette, NJ, and when I returned, there was a big line for gas. Problem is, when you keep the boat in neutral, it drifts with the current, so I Took the boat out of the marina and just waited outside till things cleared up. What do you usually do? Keep it in neutral, wait in line and reverse as needed?

 

[Stee6043]

After dealing with that enough times you'll specifically avoid the busy times at the gas docks

It can get pretty harry waiting like that with other boaters, with varying levels of capability, milling about...

 

[Golfman25]

Usually sit and wait, going in and out of gear to keep in place. Or I do little circles. If it 's really bad, I sit at the courtesy dock for the launch ramps.

 

[spikedaddy99]

I stopped outside of a marina a few weekends ago and called in looking for instructions. They asked me to wait out in the harbor until they were ready. A 70'ish cruiser went in while I was waiting and tried to pull up to the busy fuel dock. They turned him away and told him to get in line. He should have called the fuel dock. It is a VERY tight fuel area and he was pissed. I would have been too if they cut him in front of me since it takes a while to fuel up a boat that size! But, my point is to call if you can and let them know you are waiting. Most of the time, boaters are pretty good about waiting their turn.

 

[b_arrington]

I stopped outside of a marina a few weekends ago and called in looking for instructions. They asked me to wait out in the harbor until they were ready. A 70'ish cruiser went in while I was waiting and tried to pull up to the busy fuel dock. They turned him away and told him to get in line. He should have called the fuel dock. It is a VERY tight fuel area and he was pissed. I would have been too if they cut him in front of me since it takes a while to fuel up a boat that size! But, my point is to call if you can and let them know you are waiting. Most of the time, boaters are pretty good about waiting their turn.

I've had to wait for dock space plenty of times. Depending on the area (available room) I'll circle, or just bump in and out of gear to hold position, using thrusters to keeping pointing the right way. Occasionally I've had an unobservant boater try to "cut the line"; a horn blast and having called the fuel dock helps solve that issue.

I always hail the fuel dock before I get there to a) make sure they are open b) let them know I'm coming and c) ask if they have room at the dock. The fuel dock at the place I usually go has a dock used for both fueling and dock-and-dine tie-ups; sometimes people tie up at the fueling area or just space things out poorly. Calling ahead sometimes helps the place make room for me. It doesn't always work, but I do it anyway.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Middle of the day during the week there is never a wait.