Now have cng, should I convert?

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Old Sailor 2

Old Sailor 2

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Oct 19, 2011
181
Hunter 42 Passage San Diego, CA
This month's "Sail" has an article about installation of a propane system. He replaced an alcohol system. I currently have a cng system which I like a lot. BUT, propane is a lot easier to find. I have a source in San Diego but they claim to be the only source in SoCal. So in my mind (and that can be a dangerous place to be) I am wondering if I should consider converting to propane. That, of course, means solenoid, gas locker, converting the stove/oven, etc. Can those of you folks who cruise the coast and ultimately cruise the world advise me of the availability of cng? Any thoughts on the conversion??? Thanks again, Sandy
 
MetricMountie

MetricMountie

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Jul 19, 2007
263
-Hunter 1995-40.5 Hunter Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada
We switche dover to propane after finding that the only location that was even handy to us for refills was a 3 hour drive away at Hinckley Yacths in Maine. They do not fill tanks but simply exchange yours for theirs which are shipped into them from Rhode Island I believe.
I exchanged two tanks two summers back at $70.00 per tank, at the market rate for CNG on the day of the exchange each tank held approximately $2.50 US in gas. Got back to the boat to find on hooking up the first tank that there was only 2600 psi in the tank that I believe is rated for 3200 psi.

The boats PO had purchased a CNG to Propane conversion kit for the boat prior to us purchasing it so we made the switch over last summer with the help of a friend and the local propane supply and repair shop. Did the CNG removal myself and then replumbed the boat from the stern forward to the stove and Dickinson fireplace. Installed a propane detector and used the system with the tank mounted to the stern rail and out in the open with no problems. Presently constructing a locker to mount on the stern rail that will hold 2x10lb. fiberglass tanks and the systems regulator and fuel gauge. Locker is being constructed with Corecel foam which will be covered in fiberglass cloth and painted. Locker has removable top for removal / filling of tanks and a drain which extends to the lowest point of the hull incase of a tank leak. Not professionally done but still a hell of a lot cheaper than keeping the CNG or purchasing a manufactured locker for over $600.00
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
If you build your own manifold, you can fill your bottles for a couple of bucks each.

There are several fill stations in the SD area.
 
Old Sailor 2

Old Sailor 2

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Oct 19, 2011
181
Hunter 42 Passage San Diego, CA
Steve Dion said:
If you build your own manifold, you can fill your bottles for a couple of bucks each.

There are several fill stations in the SD area.
Click to expand
now that sounds like a deal. and I bet the manifold is not that intricate to construct. I will do some research on how to build that. And I imagine that with transit busses, etc, being powered by cng it is more readily available. any thoughts on availability in other places for example if I did the Baha-Ha-Ha? Thanks Steve, Sandy
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
confert to propane

NOT available.
I have a manifold and yes it is cheap to fill up. $1.29 for a 20 hour bottle last year. Unfortunately I have to make a 2 hour trip to get to the pump.
 

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wufibugs

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Aug 16, 2009
1,000
Hunter 1986 H31 California Yacht Marina, Chula Vista, CA
Sandy, Steve is right. There are several sources in the San Diego area. One is pretty close to my house in Chula Vista, down near what used to be Coors Ampitheater. Busses and lots of garbage trucks are CNG powered, which explains this facility.
 
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