Gary was fun to talk to and his dog was a total sweetheart went in yesterday and got about 30 gal of fuel and some ice. Cheap for on the water fuel and fun to talk to read more

Gary is a character. He's not a fan of people who have big expensive boats who don't know how to run them, but otherwise he's very helpful. Other reviewers have compared him to Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi", which has some elements of truth to it. If you approach his dock slowly and under control, follow his directions on how and where to place your boat on the dock, let him tie off your boat with his lines, and respectfully engage with him as an intelligent person and not just a gas pump jockey, you'll be just fine. read more

Although Gary has a rough manner at first, he's very river & boat knowledgeable and cares about everyone's safety. He definitely spends more time with larger boat owners, like us -- but that's to be expected . He has a very friendly, dog-which always a good sign! read more

We appreciated the easy approach to this fueling station. We found the experienced, river-wise owner to be generous in helping us understand how to best refuel our new boat. Reading the other reviews, I suspect the owner is a bit like Seinfeld's Soup Nazi--follow his rules or experience the consequences. I'm okay with that because the service was outstanding and we learned at least 3 new tips on maneuvering our boat in the strong Columbia current. I look forward to future transactions with the owner who definitely has an interesting conversational style and big personality. read more

Gary over charge me about $100 on my last fill up. I got another about 35 gallons and he charged me $334.11. I didn't realize it until I got back the the marina what he charge me. I would recommend watching closely the next time you fill up there. I'm not the only one that has had this issue with him. read more

We avoid this gas fill up at all cost. Not only is Gary the most obnoxious, rude, arrogant, chip on his shoulder person we have ever encountered on the river, they actually HIDE the total sale cost of your fill up. If you attempt to look at how much you are spending its hidden with a piece of tape on the pump. Ask them about it and they say "we go by gallons". WTH? You can't simply say "I want $100/gas." They act like it's a big deal to figure it out because "their prices change". Now I know why. Called their competitor about 10 min away and they are .30 cents/gallon cheaper! We will literally go out of our way to go to Jansen Beach fuel depot. Always nice, super attentive and show what you are spending on the pump. When we told Jansen Beach depot that we go out of our way to avoid Gary's place they said "we literally hear this multiple times a day". read more

Gary is a helpful experienced owner who has waited for folks after closing so they can get gas but he is intolerant of folks who have the money to buy a boat but don't learn how to use it read more

I gave him three stars - midway between five and one because I think that Gary is very entertaining, but many people will hate him with a passion. The review that said he is like Seinfeld's Soup Nazi is right on point. If you insist on dealing with someone who is courteous and respectful - - - if you want service-with-a-smile, then this is not the place for you. On the other hand, if you're entertained by wacky (perhaps obnoxious) people, then go to Donaldson's to enjoy this crazy guy who is always bitching about something or another. It's a slice of life. read more

We get our boat fuel here. Good guy. Always friendly. Came back late one night to help us out when we ran out of gas. Lol

We stopped here to refuel our rented jet skis. It was pretty busy as it was nearing 5PM on a Sunday, so we were there for a minute. I watched some pretty cranky and arrogant people get serviced while the owner, and his crew, worked the place like a well oiled machine and with amazing grace. Tips for queuing, docking and gassing were delivered whether people paid attention or not. They discount for cash, but if you need to use a card, you need to go inside the convenience store (which was well stocked with snacks, etc.). By the way, it gets windy on the river and with a lot of traffic can be pretty loud, so don't get excited if one of the crew raise their voice to get your attention. They are just trying to keep things moving. read more

I don't write bad reviews but the guy running this dock is the worst. Surly, unpleasant and unhelpful. He refused to sell us fuel, claimed he wouldn't miss the sale and that he had better things to do. When I asked him why, he walked over and started untying the boat, claiming it was his dock. Not only was he difficult, but casting off my boat without me on it was reckless. This guy is weird and confrontational. I can't understand his strange behavoir. There is fuel down the in Portland Harbor, by the I5 bridge - You can be sure I won't ever tie up at Donaldsons Marina. read more

Gary has some great stories & fun info about living here, he has a little store so you can get some things you may need & of course he has fuel. Thanks Gary. read more

Donaldson Marina - Gary is a good guy, great spot to fuel up for the trip. - Boating Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Being a new boater, docking anywhere is incredibly stressful, especially a public dock with other boaters and many of them seasoned boaters like Gary. He has been immensely helpful with good advice and does everything possible to make the experience easy for boaters that know what they don't know. If you pretend to know more than you do, you might not like what you get here. read more

This guy cracks me up. Worst customer service since McMennamins. If you bring a 2 or 5 gallon fuel can, he'll act like you've got leprosy. Twice he's told me "I've got things to do, you know". Really - like what? I'm the only customer here! Like selling gas and taking my money is not what they do? What - Big Texas Hold 'em game you're missing by being open for biz? 2 stars cuz it's non-ethanol gas and the location is great. Just don't jump the fence and walk your can down there, they get real P.O'd!!! read more

I go to this fueling place at least 2 times per week and I don't go anywhere else. Gary, the owner, works hard to keep everyone safe with their boats and keeps the pace of service moving along. He's cool to have a conversation with, and the quality of fuel is solid. He's always open when I stop by and it's always a great experience. read more

Gary was soooo helpful with my first time out on the water with my new boat! He gave me some really good information about the river, as well. I will only be going to donaldson marina for my fuel in the future. read more

Maybe this guy had a bad day...but I'll never be back to find out. Hands down the biggest a-hole I've come across in a long long time. Sarcastic, condescending, arrogant, know-it-all jerk. Big deal...take some fuel and go about your way right? It's a fuel dock, simple right? Well I was hoping to take 60 or 70 gallons...i took 7 when I stopped the pump, paid my bill, and sailed off into the sunset because I could not stand even one more minute around this guy...yes, that bad! read more

I have been coming to Gary's gas dock for 12 years and its pretty easy to come in and get your fuel and get on your way. Just a few tips for the conscientious boater who wants the best service and to be welcomed anytime. Bring your boat in facing upstream, that would be toward Mt. Hood and east and with the starboard (that's the right side) of your boat against the dock. Boats maneuver better into the current and there is much less strain on the docks, cleats, lines and everything else if you are coming in upstream. Even if the fuel hole is on the other side, put your right side to the dock, the hose is plenty long enough. Come all the way up to the top of the dock, again, that's the upstream end and if Gary sees you coming, he will pick a line up and tie your bow cleat up for you. Wait your turn...if there are other boats milling about, its a good bet they are waiting for a turn at the dock, fall in behind. Don't think you are going to dump all your weekend long camping trash at the dock, you packed it in, you can pack it out. Why should Gary have to haul all your crap up the ramp to the street? There are no public restrooms here, the only potty is inside Gary's house, but just a few hundred yards up river is the public boat ramp with great restrooms, there ya go. Gary has been out here working and playing on the river for all his life, if he suggests a particular way to do something, you should do it his way. I would be willing to bet he knows better than you, and its his dock after all. Now here's a way to get asked not to come back: Show up with a chip on your shoulder blithering about how you have been boating for 20 years and don't tell me how to drive my boat, cut off a couple other boats and block the middle of the dock with your boat and try to tie up stern upstream, bounce off a couple other boats in the process, toss your bag of trash out minus the tie so it spills everywhere, demand to use the bathroom for you, your wife and your 4 rotten screaming kids, and then buy 2 whole gallons of gas and spend another 20 minutes trying to figure out how much 2 stroke oil to put in the tank. Hey, its your choice, you can try to catch the JB fuel dock when its open (never) and pay half again Gary's very fair price on Non-Ethanol gas, if you can find someone to pump it. You could also travel another 13 miles to Camas for higher prices and no attendant, or go all the way to Fred's for sticker shock. Better yet, you could put land side pump gas in your boat with ethanol in it and when it gums up and clogs your fuel lines and then have to pay for a $200/hour tow back to the ramp, that's an option. Here's the deal, treat the guy and his property with respect, pay attention to how things are done, be nice to Findley (the dog) and your visit with Gary will be quick and easy and you can go away with a full tank, a cold beer or soda and happy kids. Rock on Gary! read more

DANGEROUS, BIPOLAR, AND AGGRESSIVE employee that is disrespectful of others property is our summary of our short visit here. My partner and I just had the most unpleasant welcome to a fuel dock on the Columbia river yet. Whoever the tall gray haired man that was there at 10:30 am on 5/23/18 was aggressive, disrespectful, and dangerous, grabbing the railing of our new 30 ft, nearly quarter million dollar boat upon approach, driving it into the dock as he tried to tie it off to the bow cleat through the bow tie guide first. With a very swift current this could have ripped off the dock line guide on the bow. As he did that, he instructed us in an aggressive and condescending manner not to touch our boat or the dock as I had stepped off our boat, trying to correctly tie off our boat in the proper way with the two side cleats. After he kept trying to tie off the bow cleat with a line attached to the dock and progressively got more aggressive and demanding as we were trying to tie off our own boat, we decided to back off and take our business elsewhere. He then proceeded to push our boat off the dock as I tried to step back on from the dock; a VERY dangerous maneuver. He tried to play dumb as we called him out on his actions that were out of line. NOT a trustworthy human. We've spent our whole lives boating and have put almost 400 hours on our one year old 30 ft boat in the first year, not to mention have trailered it over 15,000 miles it up and down the west coast to various bodies of water. We are moored closed by and have visited most fuel docks on the Columbia River. Most consider us highly skilled when it comes to boating and docking, never having to "catch our boat", "throw a line" or "jump off". We are able to carefully and collectively arrive at the dock so I can easily step off and calmly tie off our boat without damage. We will never return to this dock. From reading other reviews, my guess is this man is very bipolar and easily overwhelmed, thinking he can order other boat owners around. We will NOT risk our own safety and damage to our boat by coming here again, with the potential of coming into contact with this unstable human. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME GOING HERE!!! There are many other pleasant fuel docks near by. read more

Very unhappy with the owner's service. He served 2 other boats first that had docked after me. When I complained he told me not to come back!!!!! What a rude fellow! read more

Gary's is great. Best place on the river for fuel. Buy lots of gas and often....

Gary's a great guy, always has a fun story to tell, and he is always open, when you're running low on gas on the river, his place is always a welcome sight, almost any hour of the day. Glad that he is there. read more