Pacific Northwest Fuel Mate

The San Juans have fuel, but not on every island, not at every hour, and not every month of the year. Knowing which docks sell what, and when they're open, is most of fuel planning up here. Here's the list, checked against each marina's own website on November 3, 2026 (West Sound Marina comes from a cruising-guide listing, explained below). Hours change with the season, so treat this as a starting point and call ahead, especially from fall through spring. The docks Fuel dock Island Fuel Ethanol-free gas? Hours (as published) Contact Port of Friday Harbor fuel pier San Juan Gas, diesel Not stated 8am–6pm summer, 8am–4pm winter, 7 days; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day (operator's page) Fuel pier 360-378-3114; marina VHF 66A Roche Harbor Marina San Juan Gas, diesel Yes 9am–5pm; the marina's holiday schedule lists Thanksgiving (Nov 26) and Dec 24–25 as closed Fuel dock 360-378-9816 ext. 2; harbormaster VHF 78A Deer Harbor Marina Orcas Gas, di...

Some Northwest boats cruise all winter. Others sit at the dock or on a rack until spring. Either way, a boat that sits for a while needs its fuel looked after, and the advice you hear on the dock doesn't always agree. "Top it off." "Run it dry." "Just add stabilizer." Here's what the engine makers say, where they disagree, and the few things everyone agrees on. Gas boats: what ethanol does over a winter Nearly all gas sold at US roadside stations is E10, 10% ethanol, and many fuel docks sell it too. Ethanol absorbs water. A little is fine: the EPA says E10 can hold up to about 0.5% water at 60°F, roughly 3.8 teaspoons per gallon, before the water and ethanol drop out of the gas and settle to the bottom of the tank. That's called phase separation, and the colder the fuel, the less water it can hold. If that layer reaches your fuel pickup, Mercury warns it can cause "poor performance or even damage," and the gas left on top has a lo...