Fueled questions merit answering

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

Time once again for me to respond to a few questions from you

loyal readers. It is always a pleasure to lend my wisdom of the

nautical world.

I am constantly asked two fuel-related questions from almost every

boater, concerning the fuel levels in tanks and the prices at the

fuel docks. The puzzling question for boaters is whether to keep

their fuel tanks full at all times to avoid water condensation. Gary

Hill of Hill’s fuel dock suggests that you may not want to have full

tanks of fuel going stale while your boat is docked for an extended

period of time. The old rule of thumb is the water condensation from

the insides of tanks would contaminate the fuel. I recommend

installing a fuel-water separator and topping off with fresh fuel

before each trip. Do not forget about the gasoline in your tender’s

outboard too. Wonder why your tender’s engine runs rough after

sitting all winter?

The price of fuel is another common question. However, I do not

attend the international OPEC meetings, where the price for crude oil

is magically derived, so why does everyone think I know the prices at

every fuel dock up and down the coast? However, I have noticed that

the prices in Newport’s three fuel docks do seem to be in line with

the other major harbors along the coast. I find it interesting that

the smaller, solo fuel dock harbors have a higher price per gallon.

Another common question from those selling or buying a boat is

whether a boat salesperson has to be licensed. In California, a

licensed yacht broker must oversee all transactions where a yacht

salesperson is involved for either party. The salesperson must also

have a license if he or she is selling a brokerage boat -- a used

boat under a sales agreement with a dealership. The Department of

Boating and Waterways issues both the broker and salesperson licenses

after a person passes a written exam. However, the licensing function

may be moved from the department with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s

proposed restructuring plan of the state departments. The profess-

ional, state-issued licenses like yacht sales and cosmetology might

be moved under one department. Not a bad idea, because then you could

buy a boat and have your hair done at the same time.

I do have my yacht and ship sales license, which is hanging on the

walls of Bayport Yachts. So, if you are in the market for a ship --

emphasize a ship -- then please give me a call. As a matter of fact,

I can help you with lowering the cost of fuel in the previous

question. There is an oil tanker in good condition for sale, which

you can pick up for a bargain in the Middle East. Think about it.

With a 1,000-foot-plus- long tanker, you could buy your fuel directly

from the oil fields.

I do have one major suggestion before you decide to cruise your

tanker into the harbor and dock the ship behind your house. You might

want to petition the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge Newport Harbor

to 40 feet in depth to avoid becoming the ninth island in our harbor.

However, becoming an island might work to your advantage with the

prices of bay-front homes these days.

Keep those questions coming, and I will answer more in a future

column.

Tip of week

Come meet the movers and shakers of the marine community at the

marine committee meeting of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. If

you want to know what is happening or help guide the direction of

Newport Harbor, this is the place. The meeting is scheduled at 7:30

a.m. on Tuesday at the newly-reno- vated Newport Sea Base, 1931 W.

Coast Highway.

Give the chamber office a call at (949) 729-4400 if you have any

questions. I will see you there.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation, “Capt.

Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show.” It airs every Saturday from

noon to 1 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170). You can join me, Chandler Bell and

Eric Hovland by calling the listener line at (888) 344-1170.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by e-mail to

mike@boathousetv.com or visit https://www .boathousetv.com.