Boat Explosion in Greenport
- Thread starter shemandr
- Start date
This is a valuable thread for me. I'm helping a friend get acquainted with a new to him, 61' power boat with an inboard gas engine. The boat has just been re-powered with a new engine and all systems. I've never owned a gas inboard so playing it by the book on safety.
The basic common sense rules are easy to understand and we're learning them together. We just fueled the boat up yesterday for the first time and I was checking all upper fill hoses, etc. Every time we go aboard we're trusting our noses and inspecting all areas. Even though all hoses and parts of the fuel system are new, we're at the 100 hr break-in period and I know, clamps and things can loosen.
We're going with the 5 minute blower rule. Plus I'm having him sniff the blower exhaust clamshell as well as the hatch around the aft fuel tanks. Trust your nose, I like that one. Truth is, we take gasoline for granted as safe in our every day use but this reminds me, it's not safe at all. But you can be safe using it with common sense.
Plus, the boat will be 100% yard maintained which I set up in advance (friends family are clients of mine). I would fear sloppy DIY work, especially around a gas powered boat.
He'll be fine because he is a cautious owner and is taking safety all very seriously.
So curious as to why anyone wouldn’t have diesel inboards in a boat of that size?
Any news as to what the cause of the explosion? Or is this something that we will never hear as news outlets usually never follow up on that information.
I have an email update from that paper so I think I'll learn the results of the inquiry. But I'll be awhile. I'll send updates as they become available.
Let’s not get too crazy bashing gasoline powered vessels. There are millions of them and gasoline’s flammable range is fairly narrow and needing 1.7 % in atmos to burn. It’s ignition source (auto ignition temp) is 540f. Basic safety practices and proper maintenance are the key.
Diesel may have a high flashpoint of 120-150 F but once it gets there it only needs .7% in atmos to burn and a ignition source temp of 420f. So as a liquid, diesel is the hands down safer but once vaporized ( only needing 120f) its by far more dangerous.
I’m not understanding the previous comments about having the bilge fan off while fueling. That doesn’t make sense at all. If there was a leak, having the fan running will keep the atmosphere, more than likely, below the flammable range while alarming the person via the gas smell.
Diesel may have a high flashpoint of 120-150 F but once it gets there it only needs .7% in atmos to burn and a ignition source temp of 420f. So as a liquid, diesel is the hands down safer but once vaporized ( only needing 120f) its by far more dangerous.
I’m not understanding the previous comments about having the bilge fan off while fueling. That doesn’t make sense at all. If there was a leak, having the fan running will keep the atmosphere, more than likely, below the flammable range while alarming the person via the gas smell.
Oh! Sorry for the typo. That's a 24', 1961 vintage Brownell Bass Boat.
Similar to Chris Craft, Lyman and other wooden runabouts of the vintage. I guess the followers expect these engines as they are still built new.
thank you mike. you have made it clear. bashing gas engines is a fools game. thinking a diesel is any safer if poorly maintained is a fools game.
on any boat: a poorly maintained gas engine is dangerous
on any boat: a poorly maintained diesel engine is dangerous
been using both my whole life, no problems yet, they both have their place. most sailors carry gas for their dingy.
lots of sailors power their sailboats with gas.
the only fire on a vessel that i was on at sea was a diesel fire.
bashing large groups of boaters ?????????? really, who do you think you are?
on any boat: a poorly maintained gas engine is dangerous
on any boat: a poorly maintained diesel engine is dangerous
been using both my whole life, no problems yet, they both have their place. most sailors carry gas for their dingy.
lots of sailors power their sailboats with gas.
the only fire on a vessel that i was on at sea was a diesel fire.
bashing large groups of boaters ?????????? really, who do you think you are?
It's because bilge blowers have to pull air IN to have any to blow out, and the atmosphere around any fuel dock is full of gas fumes from everything from drips off gas nozzles to full blown spills and also around your own fuel fill. Pulling gas fumes into a bilge where there's already a gas leak generating explosive fumes/vapors can result in an explosion. Is it low risk on a well maintained boat? Yep, but low risk is still a risk. Waiting till fueling is complete and you've sniffed to make sure there are no fumes to turn on blowers is no more of an inconvenience than turning them on while fueling. You may consider being over-cautious, but I learned years ago that it's very hard to go wrong erring on the side of caution.
--Peggie
Actually the trend is to build more boats for gasoline engines, not less. Of course, I'm talking about the revolution in 4 stroke outboard power. Look in Soundings Magazine. You don't see ads for anything but big gas outboards. I recognize that there is a different risk profile for outboard vs. inboards but nevertheless gas power isn't going away.
Sorry, I don’t agree. The chance of pulling heavier than air gasoline vapors into a area where a ignition source is from where the blower intake is compared to removing potential vapors in the confined space doesn’t just doesn’t compare. All this being said , I wouldn’t run a blower while refueling anyway because it is irrelevant. I open the engine cover and always take a look/see. You’ll smell it way before there is enough vapors to be explosive unless it’s pouring onto a hot manifold
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This being a sailing forum I feel it is considered acceptable to bash any stink pot regardless of fuel.
there are 2 important things to consider... LEL. & UEL and THEN what's in between..... many have paid the ultimate price by opening a hatch to take a sniff and admit fresh air that changes the ratio of vapor and air...BOOM !
only if you have a sailboat that has no engine and carries no fuel, you know a "true sailor", not one of the those motorboats with sails, the aux sailboat crowd, with those planning dinghys that are so noisy in the harbors.This being a sailing forum I feel it is considered acceptable to bash any stink pot regardless of fuel.
they are always so whiney, you know the type!
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Hehe.. I actually apply that to charter sailboats that always motor.. Even in perfect sailing conditions. "WTF is with them ? It's a SAIL boat dammit.."
The lack of noise, except for occasional drama. Hehe ... Is awesome.
Motoring is just soo damn boring too.
Edit: after the outboard issues we had last year, i was dreaming of a mooring for the sailboat and oars for the dinghy
I have often thought about being like the Pardeys. AC and washing machines ? No thanks. Would be cool to sail up to a mooring at Norman Island and be "impressive"
not sure i would try it in high season.But hey.. I would take a tent and a backpack over a motorhome.