Fuel truck delivery - Richmond, CA

I am assuming your boat is larger than the typical size cruising the S.F. Bay. I would suggest calling one of the local marinas such as Schoonmaker Point or Clipper Yacht Harbor for suggestions. You may also try KKMI Boat Yard in Richmond or the USCG Station San Francisco for advice. There are several marinas in the Bay Area with fuel docks, but I suspect you need accommodation for a larger vessel or several thousand gallons of fuel.

Are you planning on staying overnight at the marina you choose? That would generally be expected or they'd charge a fueling surcharge. Often times a commercial dock is your best option if just fueling and going.

The cheap can get expensive between getting there and back, the cost of dockage, etc. Also make sure you have sufficient oil pads to clean up any spillage as I doubt that will be well received in Ca.

So... how much do you plan on saving the gallon with this process?
Find out where the fishing fleet, tug and pilot boats go too.

You might contact Diesel Direct. They should be able to help you.

Two valid reasons.

As you say, you will need a place where the truck can pull up and be adjacent to the boat. I vote for Pier 39. Gice some of the sealions a run for their money. Tourists will love it.

Many marinas will discount on that type of volume, so ask marinas first, then find out where the commercial guys are filling and call there as well, and see if there are any fuel trucks. Unless it,s over $0.50 a gallon I wouldn’t bother.

DK how it is in Ca. but I've seen this done in many places on the east coast although I can't remember many boats that did it on a regular basis. Maybe they did it once or twice and decided it wasn't worth the risk. Just be aware of the pitfalls and be willing to accept the risks. 1) Unknown quality of fuel. Word goes out fast when a marina sticks bad fuel in a few boats and there's a tankful to check to prove damage. Not so with a truck. 2) Liability if there is a spill. Marinas have insurance to cover fines and cleanup costs. Does the truck or will they just disappear in the event of a spill, leaving you to hold the bag? If you go to a fuel dock that services larger vessels (50'-60'+) you'll generally find a high speed pump (although not the speed you'll get from a truck, but that's a double edged sword). You'll also find that they generally offer a volume discount and over 1,000 gals will certainly qualify. Also consider the fuel you'll burn getting to and from where you go to fuel. Most of the boats I've seen fuel from a truck did so at their slips or in some situations the berths over in Port Everglades. I wasn't involved with the business end there, but I'm sure they paid a fee for that.

I have never seen it done anywhere in the SF Bay area. If you are coming from the South, stop at Pilar Point Marina and fuel where all of the fishing boats do. If coming from the North, Bodega Bay is your best bet. You can call them and get accurate pricing with some discount for the quantity you mentioned.

In my 30 plus years running boats in SF Bay, I've never seen anyone using a fuel truck. Did see it one time in Morro Bay where a ship took on around 20K gallons

He HAS found a fuel truck. He's looking for a place to tie up where the truck can get to him.

Fishermans Wharf has a big dock and a big nozzle and cheaper fuel. Call them for hours as I know the Port is doing some work around there

and their lies the entire problem. A fuel truck that generally fuels yachts will know where to tie up. Doubtful in San Francisco there is such a place!!!!!

Well, we do it on a regular basis and know of hundreds of boats that do. There are many highly reputable fuel trucks and fuel boats in South Florida and they are welcomed at quite a few docks.

As to San Francisco, we fueled at a commercial dock rather than from a truck, with the fuel supplied by a local fuel distributor, not a marina situation.

If a dock wasn't available I have heard of tender services operating in the Pacific, so it might be worthwhile to check out their prices.

Call Ramos Oil in Fairfield, I talked to them a while back and know that they do dockside fueling. They should know which docks they have access to. I can ask a friend that runs a marine services operation in the bay and he may have an idea or even a dock you can use.
Rusty