River Boating Forum

Hi to one and all.

I am maybe asking a silly question relating to fuel for boats. My old Freeman still has the old Watermota petrol engine and I have been told that getting petrol is a problem. So the question is:

Is it?

The thought of walking umpteen miles with a couple of 5 gal jerry cans under my arms a bit daunting, not to mention the storage problem while afloat.

On the same subject, would anyone know off-hand if these engines run on unleaded or will I need a lead additive? Sorry this make 2 questions

Err, hello, any one at home? I know people have seen my original post, but no replies?! Does this mean no one knows the answer to the question? Am I the only one with an antiquated petrol engine? Coo, that would be good, that would make my little boat so rare, it must be worth a fortune... Going cheap (phutt, phutt, BANG,) Freeman Mk1 22 footer £1,000,000.00 If my asking price is met I will include a full tank of fuel and a bottle of fuel addative!!!!

Petrol is getting very difficulte to buy near to waterways and except on the Thames is not available directly into boats. The best suggestion I have seen in recent times is to get a car navigation device that shows petrol stations.They often lurk around the corner from a canal unseen. As a petrol boater for some 40 years I am very rarely caught out.Full up at every oportunity dont say i'll go onto the next one you may find that it has closed!. Determin the make and type of the engine ,probaly Ford and do a bit of reseach to find which car it was fitted to then visit the web sites for those, now collectors cars, and your other questions can be answered and they will point you in the direction of spares etc. Good luck. Chris.KP

Thanks Chris. Just for the record my engine is based on the old Ford Anglia 105E 997cc. I must admit I never thought of using my tom tom on the boat, Logic would tell me you either go up the river/canal or down it so why would I need the tom tom, I guess one is never too old to learn

Having had a petrol boat I can state that canal side petrol filling stations are few and far between.

Chris is bang on, learn your local waterways, and where the river / cut is closest to a garage, and take a folding sack barrow.

Oh dear, I looks like I'm going to have to take up working out at the gym . Though maybe I could train my old dog to carry a keg around his neck . Failing that, maybe a deisel engine conversion, now that will hurt the wallet

I all ways use the plastic 5lt. petrol containers, and start the season by filling up 6 of them to take to the boat and filling up the onboard tank. I also keep as a spare a two gallon green steel Jerry can. After every short trip, I refill the onboard tank. However when on a trip lasting several days etc, I adapted an old Golf Trolley that had wide wheels, to carry a number of plastic petrol containers. Remember that 1gallon of petrol weighs close on 10 lbs (5Kgs) so do not be too ambitious in trying to carry too many containers. Normally, if on the canals, then a petrol station should not be too far from a popular pub.

Thanks for that Jimbo, the golfing trolley sounds like a good idea. So far I have not descided where I will try to moor the boat once it is done but it is most likely to be the GU canal (If I have the bottle to face up to those tin battle cruisers) or River Nene (fingers crossed) but in both cases I know of a few road side garages that almost back onto both of them which should at least make weekend cruising vaible without too much exercise