Today’s higher gas and diesel prices might tempt a captain to depart with less fuel, but the one-third rule should always be adhered to for safety. This rule simply states you should use one-third of the boat’s fuel to go out, another third for the ride home, and a final third for reserve in case weather or sea conditions extend your trip beyond your original plan. Pushing a towrope back to the dock—or God forbid, floating around on the open ocean—is not the way you want to end your day.
While most vessels are equipped
