BajaNomad - Gas (at last) in Catavina?

Gas (at last) in Catavina?

thebajarunner - 2-22-2008 at 06:47 PM

We stopped for lunch at Catavina and the old Pemex (East side of the highway where they sell out of cans) is all boarded off.

The lady who runs the cafe said they are rebuilding the station and will open soon.

"Why the serious panel fence around the site?"

"To keep down the dust" she said.

HUH????
Dust control in Central Baja?!?!

Now I have heard it all....

CaboRon - 2-22-2008 at 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner

"To keep down the dust" she said.

HUH????
Dust control in Central Baja?!?!

Now I have heard it all....

ncampion - 2-23-2008 at 09:44 AM

That's going to put that poor guy out of business. Never understood why the hotel gas pumps never got turned on.

David K - 2-23-2008 at 09:51 AM

Last time the Pemex pump was about to be opened (in front of the hotel), I asked Alfonso (the independent gas dealer) what would he do... His answer was classic: "No problem, I will go back to fishing again!"

The reason Pemex at San Agustin, Cataviña, Parador Punta Prieta, etc. didn't do well is the distance they are to banks (San Quintin), finding employees, robberies, and poor business practices.

thebajarunner - 2-23-2008 at 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ncampion
That's going to put that poor guy out of business. Never understood why the hotel gas pumps never got turned on.

Some years back those "hotel pumps" were working most of the time,
just in recent years that they have been totally out of biz.

AcuDoc - 2-23-2008 at 09:48 PM

Last time I bought gas there was in 1988!

pappy - 2-24-2008 at 12:05 PM

it was nice to have gas in catavina, wether it was from motel or station across the street, especially in my older trucks that didn't get the mileage i do now...it would be nice if they could keep it consistent there....

David K - 2-24-2008 at 05:13 PM

I have always seen gas for sale at Cataviña... when it comes from 5 gal. cans, there's no dispute as to how much you got, like at some Pemex stations! Sure it's a buck more a gallon, but the guy drives 150 miles round trip to have it there for us! That's worth a dollar a gallon more if you need it!

David, you are kidding, right??

thebajarunner - 2-24-2008 at 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
I have always seen gas for sale at Cataviña... when it comes from 5 gal. cans, there's no dispute as to how much you got, like at some Pemex stations! Sure it's a buck more a gallon, but the guy drives 150 miles round trip to have it there for us! That's worth a dollar a gallon more if you need it!

The easiest gas ripoff is with a "5 gallon can"

Just dent it a little, bingo, less gas.

Or, put a little "stuffing" inside, same result.

I don't think my gas gauge has ever moved, commensurate with the purchase, after buying from the roadside cans, at any of numerous locations.

Just my own personal observation..

In fact, in the old racing days we had a name for the guys at Chapala.....
"Ripoff Junction"

TMW - 2-25-2008 at 08:22 AM

I basically agree with David on this. When you need it you need it. I've been to Catavina when there was no gas and I had several cans and was offered as much as $10 a gallon. Of course I didn't accept it, I charged what I paid for it and made three people very happy. I've bought from the guy with the cans a couple of times both there and at the LA Bay turnoff. Also a normal 5 gallon metal jerry can only holds about 4.5 to 4.6 gallons if filled to the bottom edge of the lid. It's 5 gallons if you tilt it away from the lid to fill, but your lid better have a really good seal.

David K - 2-25-2008 at 09:55 AM

If you spend some time with Alfonso, I think you will get the impression of an honest businessman just filling a need... I really don't belive his jerry cans are rigged... that's really getting desperate. As I said before, his philosophy is simple... if Pemex reopens, he will just go back to fishing... Sounds like one of us!

Last July, there was a second vendor selling gas in Cataviña, just before Alfonso (who is across from the hotel, in front of the abandoned Pemex). There must be enough demand...?

Hook - 2-25-2008 at 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner

The lady who runs the cafe said they are rebuilding the station and will open soon.

Yeah, and the Escalera Nautica will be completed this year, too. :lol:

Someone spent some real bucks on the fence

thebajarunner - 2-25-2008 at 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner

The lady who runs the cafe said they are rebuilding the station and will open soon.

Yeah, and the Escalera Nautica will be completed this year, too. :lol:

Hey, what do I know, I just report what I heard,
but, the fence around the site is pretty serious stuff.
Enough to build new homes for half the population of Catavina (which is probably where it will ultimately end up)
As to the integrity of gas can purchase....
Well, I stand by my comments.
But, if you are out of gas, the price and quantity really don't matter, do they?
Just figure you are paying about six bucks a real gallon and be happy you are getting it
(assuming that you forgot to gas up at Antonio's in El Rosario, at one of the two (can you believe two) stations in LA Bay or at Guerrero Negro)

Russ - 2-26-2008 at 06:21 AM

Just noticed a new station doing up in Santa Rosalia. That makes 4 now

Hook - 2-26-2008 at 11:19 AM

Runner, I really wasnt questioning your credibility. You are just reporting what you hear.

My skepticism comes from having heard that the old La Pinta station would be reopening several times over the last 10-15 years.

Actually, if EITHER one of them re-opened, I'm not sure how I'd feel about drawing fuel out of tanks that havent been used in so many years.

David K - 2-26-2008 at 02:28 PM

Hook, I believe the 'new station' rebuilding effort is at the original abandoned Pemex and not that pump in front of the hotel...

Click to see Cataviña from space

[Edited on 2-26-2008 by David K]

Hook - 2-26-2008 at 02:45 PM

Yes, but what about the below-ground tank?

If they decide to replace it, I'm sure that some Nomad driving by will see either the dig or the tank or both and will report it.

David, I was just using the La Pinta station as an example of the one you kept hearing was going to reopen "any time now".

thebajarunner - 2-26-2008 at 02:55 PM

Hook, you gotta see that fence.
They could be replicating the Taj Mahal back there and no drive by would see it.
And, they spent some serious pesos on that material.
It is a very serious fence, about 8 feet high and totally surrounding at least a half acre site. Solid panels,
no see 'um...

vgabndo - 2-26-2008 at 03:09 PM

Gotta love that Cummins Diesel. At Catavina I'm still looking at half a tank left since Maneadero. AND, two bucks a gallon.
EEE HO LAY :lol:

Hook - 2-26-2008 at 03:09 PM

Why all the secrecy surrounding the re-opening of a gas station? Dust prevention, indeed.

My naturally suspicious mind is racing.......................