Another CNG Short Story

Dec 25, 2000
5,958
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
A prologue edition. A few years ago Stu Jackson rendezvous with us in Parks Bay, Shaw Island. That was a time when Sure Marine stopped their CNG tank exchange program placing our CNG source in jeopardy. After explaining my dilemma to Stu he offered me his spare CNG tank to tide me over, as he had moved away to a new way of cooking. Thank you, Stu. I nursed that tank for three years until John Shepard informed me of a company in Fife, WA that filled these tanks. Perhaps some day that company will stop as well, but until then...

Our 1991 boat came equipped with CNG that we use for cooking. Really like it, burns clean, no fumes to worry about, unlike propane. Three burners and a nice oven for baking. A full tank will last us about a season or more. I have two tanks; one in use and one as a spare in our starboard transom locker. About three years ago I had both tanks re-certified and filled to 2,250 pounds by Commercial sales in Fife, WA. For some reason or another one of the tanks was empty after sitting in our garage for two years. Drove to Commercial Sales today to have it refilled. No leaks, so I suspect the valve worked loose over time and discharged its contents.

Sure Marine in Ballard ended their tank exchange business several years ago, so I stopped by to see whether they had any left over tanks. Check out back under the tarp, they said. Wow! I expected a few in poor condition, but there must have been twenty or so and many in very good condition. Went back and asked for their deal. Fella checked with somebody in the back room, came back and said they're yours. Woohoo!

Now I need to get them re-certified by Fire King and filled for future use.What a deal.
 
Last edited:
Oct 26, 2010
2,180
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
What a fin :clap:. Like you I really like my CNG. I can get them, cleaned and recertified at a fire protection place in Chrleston is I remove all labels, remove the valve and insert a plastic plug. At that pressure, they are nothing more than SCUBA tanks. After I get them back, I reapply the the flammable gas sticker (I have a whole role of the stickers), reinstalle the valve with gas rated teflon tape and have them refilled. Sent your a pm!
 
  • Like
Likes: jssailem

MFD

.
Jun 23, 2016
250
Hunter 41DS Pacific NW USA
Possibly unpopular opinion, but CNG seems to be an interesting technology that never really made mainstream and is increasingly difficult to support.

I don’t really follow the boat trade market but I would expect that getting rid of CNG would make life easier today and be helpful for the one day when the boat needs a market price?
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,958
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
I don’t really follow the boat trade market but I would expect that getting rid of CNG would make life easier today and be helpful for the one day when the boat needs a market price?
Agree. But until then...
 
  • Like
Likes: jssailem