gas prices on the lake

[fpartri497]

wedsday gas at west alton marina was $3.29 gal. spent $130.00 to fill the boat. downings landing was $3.58 gal.as usual ,drove right buy without stopping there.


happy boating

[Stinger]

Actually that's an improvement, last weekend I'm pretty sure Downing's pump read 3.69! I filled at Anchor Marine for 3.29 last Friday 6/16, Thurston's was also 3.29.

[Grant]

Heck, $3.29 at a marina actually seems relatively reasonable. Down in here in Pennsyltuckey, prices on the road run from $2.95 to $3.25. On a percentage basis, I'd venture a guess and say that the marinas are marking up a little less than usual. No-wake, weather, etc., may have crimped early sales.

And, just to rub some salt in the wounds, I remember gas at the boat dock at Wawbeek being 42 cents a gallon. At that price, today I could fill my SUV's 30-gal. tank for $12.60. My wife spent over $80 filling it yesterday...

Break out the canoes!

[ossipeeboater]

I don't think 3.29 in that bad for 89 octane, it's only a 20 cent premium to the prices in southern NH/northern MA. liability is expensive and the the season is short so I don't think any marina gets rich pumping gas.

[tmm366]

I was at the lake Wednesday. My boat is at Lakeport Landing in Laconia. Gas was priced at $2.98 a gallon. Lakeport seems to always have the cheapest gas on the lake. FYI Tom

[Par Four]

Am I right that the grade of gas that most lake side gas docks are pumping is a "mid-grade" gas?

So when you to compare apple-to-apples for off-lake prices... If I recall correctly I think mid-grade is a 89 octane as compared to 87 octane Regular blend and 93 octane Premium?

yes - no - maybe?

[ossipeeboater]

Originally Posted by Par Four

Am I right that the grade of gas that most lake side gas docks are pumping is a "mid-grade" gas?

So when you to compare apple-to-apples for off-lake prices... If I recall correctly I think mid-grade is a 89 octane as compared to 87 octane Regular blend and 93 octane Premium?

yes - no - maybe?

I see mostly 89 on the lakes so yes midgrade. 309 this morning when I went by the station on my way to work.

[LIforrelaxin]

Gezzzz I live on the expensive side of the lake....Last weekend both Trexlers and 19 mile where about $3.60/gal. Guess I need to visit the wiers more often this summer............

[Weekend Pundit]

The price at LL was $2.92/gallon when I filled up my boat just the other day. I've seen $3.29 at Irwin, Channel Marine, Thurston's, and Fay's. That's for 89 octane, of course.

[Stinger]

Sunday 6/25:

Downing's $3.67

West Alton Marina $3.08

Talk about a difference in price, holy c***!

[jrc]

MVYC has been $3.099 for a few weeks.

[Rinkerfam]

We filled up for 2.92 a gallon at Lakeport Landing today. Considering the fact that regular unleaded is 2.93 a gallon for us at home in Nashua, I don't have a problem buying mid-grade for the same price on the lake. I also heard that the price may actually come down a little at Lakeport over the next few weeks.

[SIKSUKR]

Saturday :Channel 3.29
Lakeport 2.92

[mcdude]

see CONCORD MONITOR ARTICLE


Ken Williams / Concord Monitor
Dave Monasky of Belmont fills his boat's tank at Fay's Boat Yard in Gilford.

[Phantom]

You do have to be aware of the Octane level when comparing prices around the Lake -- 89 Octane is the most prevelant -- however, some marina's pump Higher and others pump lower.

Also, you need to ASK someone who really knows - not the college kids- what the Octane is -- a lot of the signage is last season's and most pumps have no signs. I was under the impression - I have not checked personally - that Channel Marine switched to pumping 87 Oct this year as opposed to 89 in the past. Anchor is definately 89. Did anyone check (inside) at Lakeport? May explain why they are lower -- just a thought.

[Seadoo]

just so you all know, i went down to lakeport again to fill up and they have new gas hours:

monday-thursday + sunday 8-5
fri.- sat 8am -8 pm

which is nice so you don't have to wait in line to get pumped out or filled up

[Coastal Laker]

On Saturday, I had to gas up at Channel at $3.29 (so I only put in what I needed for the day. Got gas Lakeport yesterday for $2.92 a gallon. A $.37 difference!

[LIforrelaxin]

Does anybody know what times the pumps are open at the various locations?
Seadoo was nice enough to publish them for Lakeport.....

Uptill now I was able to bring my gas in from town....but now with a bigger boat, and going from an OB to a I/O I think I am going to have to buy on the water more often.........

[Seadoo]

if you have the book "boating secrets" all of the gas dock times are posted there, including if they pump out. I also picked a free one up @ lakeport, if you don't have one.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by Phantom

You do have to be aware of the Octane level when comparing prices around the Lake -- 89 Octane is the most prevelant -- however, some marina's pump Higher and others pump lower.

Also, you need to ASK someone who really knows - not the college kids- what the Octane is -- a lot of the signage is last season's and most pumps have no signs. I was under the impression - I have not checked personally - that Channel Marine switched to pumping 87 Oct this year as opposed to 89 in the past. Anchor is definately 89. Did anyone check (inside) at Lakeport? May explain why they are lower -- just a thought.

The last time I checked (a week ago), Lakeport is pumping 89 octane.

One reason tha Lakeport may be charging less is that they pump a lot more gas than just about any marina on the lake. They may also be doing pre-buys at high volume.

[bigdog]

Anyone know the gas prices on the lake around Wolfeboro ?

Also, whe is Lakeport gas dock, in relation to Irwin Marine ?

[Cruiser]

From Irwins gas dock, go through the train bridge. It is on your left.

Irwin was 3.19 this weekend.

[jrc]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

The last time I checked (a week ago), Lakeport is pumping 89 octane.

One reason tha Lakeport may be charging less is that they pump a lot more gas than just about any marina on the lake. They may also be doing pre-buys at high volume.

If I bought a big horsepower Formula from Lakeport, and then they gouged me on gas, it would be the last boat I bought from them. I think that is a factor as well. If they weren't all the way down Paugus Bay, I'd only buy from them. As it stands I'd burn all my savings getting there.

Mid-lake, I use Mountain View. South, usually Roberts Cove is reasonable (no credit cards) I buy at Anchor when I plan poorly, they always seem to be open.

[snowbird]

Filled up yesterday at Fay's for $3.259/gal, unchanged from one month ago.

[John A. Birdsall]

Originally Posted by Grant

Heck, $3.29 at a marina actually seems relatively reasonable. Down in here in Pennsyltuckey, prices on the road run from $2.95 to $3.25. On a percentage basis, I'd venture a guess and say that the marinas are marking up a little less than usual. No-wake, weather, etc., may have crimped early sales.

And, just to rub some salt in the wounds, I remember gas at the boat dock at Wawbeek being 42 cents a gallon. At that price, today I could fill my SUV's 30-gal. tank for $12.60. My wife spent over $80 filling it yesterday...

Break out the canoes!

Ha I recall paying downings in Alton Bay, on the water .35 per gallon and that included the oil. The summer that was the price my boat used $600.00 in gas. My grandfather used our slips to get the gas rebates, and that is how we found out how much gas my boat used.

[fatlazyless]

Boohoo, the Discover Card 5% discount, cash back special on gasoline expires on Friday, June 30; so it's back to just the 3% Meredith Village Savings Bank Rewards Card discount at the Meredith town docks Irving Gas. I knew that 8% double discount was too good to last!

Why not a Iraqi gasoline discount? I could use a big bore, All-American V-8 gas discount that goes for the gold, the Iraqi black gold..............oil! Doesn't Iraq sit above a huge pool of oil, second in worldwide size only to Saudi Arabia. Time to to make Iraq the designated colonial supplier for everyone's American big-bore, high hosepower, luxury vehicles. ...........let's roll!

[Old Hubbard Rd]

What ever happened to the web site that listed all the lakes/marina gas prices?? This web site use to work although not any more http://www.boatnh.com/gasprices/

[Weekend Pundit]

Headed out early this morning to gas up at Lakeport Landing: $3.03. At Irwin $3.25: Channel Marine $3.29; Thurston's $3.24; and Fay's $3.33 . All were 89 octane.

Originally Posted by Seadoo

just so you all know, i went down to lakeport again to fill up and they have new gas hours:

monday-thursday 8-5
Sat.- sun 8am -8 pm

which is nice so you don't have to wait in line to get pumped out or filled up

Actually the hours are Sunday - Thursday 8am-5pm, and Friday & Saturday 8am-8pm

The late hours do indeed make it easier to gas up during the weekend.

[Seadoo]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

The late hours do indeed make it easier to gas up during the weekend.

i would fill up before the crowed is there in the morning! it really is a lot easier!
lakeport was 301 this morning

[Weekend Pundit]

Found Fay's at $3.33/gal, Channel Marine at $3.29/gal, Thurston's at $3.24, Irwin's at $3.30, and Lakeport Landing at $3.08. All were for 89 octane.

[Cobalt]

I heard that some marinas are selling fuel for marine application without ethanol. Ethanol blended fuels may cause some problems in marine applications as discussed in other posts. Does anyone know which marinas are not using ethanol blended fuels?

[Airwaves]

I'd like to know the answer to that one as well, but if a station is using ethanol it has to be posted at the pump, so look for a sticker that breaks down the gaoline content on each pump.

Usually the problems happen in boats with fiberglass tanks.

Cobalt...
I have a 1990 Cobalt and I don't know what the tank is made from. I assume from your "Handle" that you own a Cobalt as well. Do you know if we have fiberglass, aluminum or plastic fuel tanks?

[bigdog]

I bought gas down in Roberts Cove for $3.15, but that was more than a week ago. Oh.... by the way.... they don't take plastic payment ! Everyone on the boat that day, had to pull their funds together to pay the bill. Sort of embarassing.......

[Airwaves]

Did they tell you up front it was cash only, or wait until you filled your tank?

[jrc]

they have a sign that says "no plastic", I guess "cash only" would have been too clear.

[Cobalt]

Airwaves,

I do not have a good answer to your question, but assume it is either plastic or aluminum. You are right in your assumption. I run a 96 Cobalt.

[jrc]

Cobalt, Airwaves, can't you see the fuel tanks if you open the engine compartment? Most boats in the Cobalt size range have the fuel tanks pretty close to the engines. Follow the fuel fill or vent line. If you see metal or polyethelene then ethanol won't be an issue. If you have any doubt, call Cobalt. You won't be able to avoid ethanol for long.

[Cobalt]

Thanks jrc, I will check the next time up at the Lake. My concern is not with the tank, but some of the other problems associated with burning ethanol such as burning hotter and mixing with water.

[jrc]

I was just thinking about the fiberglass fuel tank issues. All the other ethanol issues are not as simple.

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by Airwaves

I'd like to know the answer to that one as well, but if a station is using ethanol it has to be posted at the pump, so look for a sticker that breaks down the gaoline content on each pump.

Usually the problems happen in boats with fiberglass tanks.

Cobalt...
I have a 1990 Cobalt and I don't know what the tank is made from. I assume from your "Handle" that you own a Cobalt as well. Do you know if we have fiberglass, aluminum or plastic fuel tanks?

I have a Cobalt also (a 1994 272) and NO idea what the gas tank is made of, guess I always assumed aluminum. Guess I'll have to call Cobalt, that was a good idea. What model do you run?

[Cobalt]

Hey Waterbaby,

If you are asking me the question, I have a 1996 Model 253.

Cobalt

[Weekend Pundit]

At the moment, reformulated gasoline is sold only in Rockingham, Hillsborough, Strafford counties, and parts of Merrimack County. Reformulated gasolines include those with 10% ethanol. Reformulated gasoline is not required in the remaining counties and, to the best of my knowledge, not sold there either. So for the time being we won't be seeing ethanol in gasoline at the street or marine pumps.

Whether that will remain true for any length of time is unknown, at least by me.

[LIforrelaxin]

Weekend, where where you able to find out the information as to what counties where using ethonal in there gas....I assume it was some website out there.........

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

At the moment, reformulated gasoline is sold only in Rockingham, Hillsborough, Strafford counties, and parts of Merrimack County. Reformulated gasolines include those with 10% ethanol. Reformulated gasoline is not required in the remaining counties and, to the best of my knowledge, not sold there either. So for the time being we won't be seeing ethanol in gasoline at the street or marine pumps.

Whether that will remain true for any length of time is unknown, at least by me.

Not sure if I'm remembering this all quite correctly but ....

The Clean Air Act (1990) mandated the use of special gasolines in those areas where air quality was considered "bad". The result was the use of MTBE as an oxygenate, supposedly to trick the cars using it into buring more leanly. While possibly working for carburated engines, I think that by the time this was implemented modern engine control & feedback systems and fuel injection systems negated any noticable improvement via oxygenates. In some places ethanol was used in place of MTBE because it was cheaper to do so.

More recently the Senate passed a bill that mandated gas refiners use something like 4 billion gallons of ethanol in 2006 increasing to ~8 billion in 2012.

Now I'm not sure if this is good (MTBE is gone) or bad ($$,?air quality?) but it's likely we'll see more ethanol mixed gas (E-gas) in the future as a result. Ethanol can definitely dissolve different stuff than gas did and hence the problems with old fiberglass fuel tanks. I doubt any new boat will have such problems. I don't worry much about engine temps; boat engines run at lower temps then do car engines. So for me anyway, I can't forsee any issue in that regard. Conceivably any increase combustion temp might increase the efficiency to help offset the decrease in energy content. At worst the fuel injection map may have to be re-mapped. Collecting water (in the fuel dock's tanks) is a concern, not too sure how big a one. I can recall only once in the last 5 years where I tanked up and got water in the gas. The answer was "dry gas", which is alcohol. California was pushing against the RFS bill above, claiming air quality would be negatively impacted due higher evaporative emissions from E-gas in their high temp enviroment. What'll happen in NH boats in the summer-time ? Will E-gas (if it makes it's way into boats in a widespread fashion) increase smog ? I dunno.

I'll say whether we see E-gas at the boat gas docks or not all depends on whether it's cheaper to make it vs having 2 different blends around. If E-gas proponents are correct and it's cheaper than normal gas, we'll end up seeing it everywhere. I bet they're wrong but we may still see it, because if it's no more expensive, it'll be less hassle to distribute 1 type of "gas".

[Cobalt]

I spoke to a tech at Cobalt Boats regarding ethanol in fuel and was told that Merc and Volvo do not recommend using ethanol blended fuels in their engines. This includes recent models. Although, the engine manufacturers feel that a 10% blend would not cause major problems. They strongly recommend against using the E85 blended fuel which some new cars are designed to accept.

The tech also said that Cobalt never used fiberglass gas tanks in any of their boats.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Cobalt

...I spoke to a tech at Cobalt Boats regarding ethanol in fuel and was told that Merc and Volvo do not recommend using ethanol blended fuels in their engines. This includes recent models. Although, the engine manufacturers feel that a 10% blend would not cause major problems. They strongly recommend against using the E85 blended fuel which some new cars are designed to accept...

Volvo Penta's official policy on ethanol blended fuels.

Mercruiser's official policy on ethanol blended fuels can be read here.

Skip

[jrc]

Originally Posted by Cobalt

I spoke to a tech at Cobalt Boats regarding ethanol in fuel and was told that Merc and Volvo do not recommend using ethanol blended fuels in their engines. This includes recent models. Although, the engine manufacturers feel that a 10% blend would not cause major problems. They strongly recommend against using the E85 blended fuel which some new cars are designed to accept.

The tech also said that Cobalt never used fiberglass gas tanks in any of their boats.

Most normal pump gas is or will soon be E10 which is 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. Most modern engines will run on this. For most engines it's close enough to 100% gas.

E85 is 85% ethanol and only 15% gasoline. You can only use this is your vehicle is specifically design for it. Some very new cars will run on this stuff, but the cars are clearly labeled. As far as I know, no one make a boat engine that will run on E85. This isn't a matter of E85 might cause problems, your boat engine just won't run on E85 at all.

[Cobalt]

Thanks Skip,

The websites are very informative. It certainly seems far from a ringing endorsement by Merc and Volvo for using ethanol blended fuels in their engines.

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by Skip

Volvo Penta's official policy on ethanol blended fuels.

Mercruiser's official policy on ethanol blended fuels can be read here.

Skip

Thanks Skip, this comes in handy. I know if Ethanol is used in the fuel blend, it must be clearly noted on the pumps.

[Weekend Pundit]

I saw $33.5 at Fay's, $3.24 at Thurston's, $3.35 at Channel Marine, $3.34 at Irwin, and $3.02 at Lakeport Landing Marina.

[Old Hubbard Rd]

Figures gas prices are dropping at the end of the season. Paid $2.98 this weekend at Lake Port Landing. Wish the weather was better.

[Seadoo]

lakeport is 2.979

[fpartri497]

West alton marine $3.08 gal.