Diesel in Baja

[Caca Cabeza]

I am coming up the Californias in a few weeks from Mazatlan. I am curious where I can get diesel on the west coast of baja and how to get it (i.e. fuel dock, dinghy or panga). I was down to see my (new to me) boat about a month ago and diesel at the marina was about $4.00 per gallon. I don't want a motorboat ride, but I don't want to be a slave to weather either.

Thanks!

 

[El Borracho]

Depends on your range. Which depends on your consumption and capacity. And a bit on weather. Every boat I have bashed on was able to stop only at 'Turtle'. Seems the fuel in jugs equals about the fuel in the tank.

 

[eliboat]

Depends on your range. Which depends on your consumption and capacity. And a bit on weather. Every boat I have bashed on was able to stop only at 'Turtle'. Seems the fuel in jugs equals about the fuel in the tank.

Ditto turtle bay.  Bring a baha filter along as the fuel is pretty gritty. 

 

[Caca Cabeza]

I've got a Baja filter. The boat holds ~50 gallons, 25 more in Jerry cans, burns ~3/4 gallon per hour at 5 knots. That's about 400 miles with no wind and I leave 5 gallons in each tank. The plan is to get to Cabo San Luca, top up and gas up in Turtle bay?

Is turtle Bay dinghy in or gas dock?

 

[El Borracho]

I have never gotten bad fuel at Turtle. I have looked into the service boat tank, too, never seen anything. They sell huge amounts of fuel to sport fishers. Fuel is from the service boat or lug it yourself from town (ugh!). Cruisers whine about the expensive fuel, but it makes no difference in the bigger picture. 

Turtle is 400 from Cabo, right. Wind is on the nose 90% of the time. Yes, fuel at Cabo from the dock. Sounds like more jugs are in your future. Some people stop at San Carlos for fuel. I never have. Jugs seem easier.

Resting at Bahia de Santa Maria and on the E coast of Isla Cedros are both a treat.

Ensenada is a great place for formalities and fuel.

Enjoy your last few weeks in friendly, free and civilized Mexico.  Wish I was there.

 

[Zonker]

Turtle Bay is best done by dinghy or pange delivery. I've seen people do a Med moor but that old rusty dock is not something I want my stern near.

You can get fuel in Mag Bay as well. One time we bought some from a local panga in the small fishing village just inside the bay (1). Another time we took the boat up to Porto San Carlos and got some from the local Pemex station there. Big freighters get to the Port, but I'd rely on current Google maps satellite images because the channels seem to shift.

The anchorage at 1 is very quiet and might be a nice stop over in any case.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Is diesel code for oxycodone?

 

[Jud - s/v Sputnik]

I've got a Baja filter. The boat holds ~50 gallons, 25 more in Jerry cans, burns ~3/4 gallon per hour at 5 knots. That's about 400 miles with no wind and I leave 5 gallons in each tank. The plan is to get to Cabo San Luca, top up and gas up in Turtle bay?

Is turtle Bay dinghy in or gas dock?

BTW, what’s the deal with Baja filters?  I know they’re no longer made, but it seems like they’re still around/people still use them?  Do you just clean the filters on them periodically (since you can’t get replacements for them any longer?)?

 

[SASSAFRASS]

Unless you have motored or motor sailed the boat to weather against current I would not count on a given consumption rate.  It can go up by as much as 50% compared to flat or downwind conditions.  A Baja filter will help with growth and sediment but won't do anything for water.  Best to have lots of racors of you are worried about dirty fuel.  You can also get 20gal Bajinas, the square Mexi Jerry can for cheap anywhere. Would not take much to up your capacity for a straight shot or easy turtle bay run from San Jose del Cabo.  Some idiot T boned the fuel dock there not sure if has been fixed but it was the better option than Cabo.  If your Spanish is even close you can get a panga to come to your boat in turtle bay and pick up Jerry cans take to Pemex and return.  Really watch your WX windows as early and late season are not stable things anymore.  More than likely you will not be alone as there will be other deliveries north, nice to network.

 

[IStream]

BTW, what’s the deal with Baja filters?  I know they’re no longer made, but it seems like they’re still around/people still use them?  Do you just clean the filters on them periodically (since you can’t get replacements for them any longer?)?

Practical Sailor rated the Hopkins/Mr. Funnel Flotool on par with the Baja Filter. West Marine sells the 5 GPM model for about $40 but you can find it on Amazon for about $35. They also have a 12GPM version for about $50. The biggest knock against the Flotools is that they leave a fairly large dead volume of fuel + concentrated contaminants (if any) in the funnel when you're done. 

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Funnel-AF15CB-Fuel-Filter/dp/B000SOKE5E/ref=pd_bxgy_2/140-9748974-5423155?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000SOFLL6&pd_rd_r=0fef6e1a-fdac-48f7-b1a8-d3ae55a7fd70&pd_rd_w=sIz4f&pd_rd_wg=dfImJ&pf_rd_p=fd3ebcd0-c1a2-44cf-aba2-bbf4810b3732&pf_rd_r=A53A92Z79TE3N09AGX6B&refRID=A53A92Z79TE3N09AGX6B&th=1

 

[Zonker]

Used a Baja filter on first boat and Mr Funnel on 2nd. The Baja filter was a pain to clean. I just kept a glass jar to empty the residual in my Mr. Funnel. More often than you would think it would capture a tbsp of water.