>From: ansonpowell
>Now that we know that red diesel will definitely be going, what are the >implications for boaters? How accurate are suggestions that diesel won't be >available canalside and everyone will be filling up cans at the >supermarket? I think we can be assured that the Hire Boat bases will have a supply of diesel, I have talked to Shire Cruisers as they are my nearest one to find out their intentions. They sell very little diesel to the private boater but will sell to the privat boater subject to them having enough for their own boats. Indication on price is that they will attempt to keep price down as much as possible and attempt to compete with garages. >Will BW really accept the increased risk of pollution as all these cans are >emptied? Seems to me that there are lot of questions and only speculative >answers at the moment. I am hoping BW will assist by contacting all boatyards and others who sell diesel to canalside with a view to publishing a listing of where diesel will actually be available. Last year I talked to a number of boatyards throughout the country for their views, many could not makea definitive comment on whether they would or would not sell diesel. Some stated it would depend on the cost - for instance if they have to get new tanks then it would depend on overall cost to change, but most stated they would not keep both red (for boat heating) and white. Some suggested that they would not be able to compete with supermarketsand would probably have to charge at least 10p per litre above supermarket price. I am also hoping that any intelligence will be posted to this net. I found a site that suggested that the chop date for red diesel for propulsion of leisure craft, from the recent budget is 1 November 2008. Terry
