Seems most of the 90's vintage Passage 42's have CNG. Anybody do a conversion to propane? How hard was it and how much was it? Thanks
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Start from Scratch.
Liquid Propane is highly flamable an heavier than air so you have to protect against leaks since the gas will collect on your bilge and be prone to create an explosion. CNG is lighter than air and dissipates quickly probably flying out the companionway. The propane tanks needs to be in a sealed compartment vented through the hull at a downward angle. You need a pressure switch, a regulator and a selenoid switch to be able to shut off from cockpit. Tanks, quality flexible hoses and a propane stove will complete list. Use marine grade components as the application is critical from a safety standpoint. As far as cost I would say approx. $1,400. You could install the tank up on deck (never paint black) or hang from a stern rail and save some $500 but your boat would not look very good. CNG would be a perfect source of energy for boats if availability was more widespread. It is rare in the US and almost non-existent abroad. Check archives and BoatUS articles for excellent information on installation.
Liquid Propane is highly flamable an heavier than air so you have to protect against leaks since the gas will collect on your bilge and be prone to create an explosion. CNG is lighter than air and dissipates quickly probably flying out the companionway. The propane tanks needs to be in a sealed compartment vented through the hull at a downward angle. You need a pressure switch, a regulator and a selenoid switch to be able to shut off from cockpit. Tanks, quality flexible hoses and a propane stove will complete list. Use marine grade components as the application is critical from a safety standpoint. As far as cost I would say approx. $1,400. You could install the tank up on deck (never paint black) or hang from a stern rail and save some $500 but your boat would not look very good. CNG would be a perfect source of energy for boats if availability was more widespread. It is rare in the US and almost non-existent abroad. Check archives and BoatUS articles for excellent information on installation.
You don't need
a new stove! you only need to change the jets in the burners and convert the rest of the system to comply with LPG safety requirements. The LPG locker is essential and all connections most conform to the standards for LPG supplies.
a new stove! you only need to change the jets in the burners and convert the rest of the system to comply with LPG safety requirements. The LPG locker is essential and all connections most conform to the standards for LPG supplies.
actual conversion
Anybody actually done a conversion of a passage 42? I'm looking for specifics on that conversion. Where is the locker for the CNG on this boat and does it easily convert to LPG? I'm not up to trying to build a new propane locker. Convert yes, reinvent & replumb no.
Anybody actually done a conversion of a passage 42? I'm looking for specifics on that conversion. Where is the locker for the CNG on this boat and does it easily convert to LPG? I'm not up to trying to build a new propane locker. Convert yes, reinvent & replumb no.
Passage 42 conversion from LPG to propane
Ted, I have a 1991 Passage 42 that I converted to propane in 1993. We cruised the South Pacific, and CNG was available only in NZ, while propane was available everywhere. It was time consuming, but not particularly difficult or expensive to do. The hardest part is finding a properly sized propane locker and locating it conveniently. We purchased an airtight purpose built plastic propane locker from West Marine in 1993. It has a gasketed top and a vent at the bottom. I can't remember the price, but believe it was around $200 to $300. It holds two of the 11 pound (four gallon, I think) propane tanks. I truly can't remember whether it came with a double tank hose set-up or whether I bought that separately from West. In any event, that part is very easy to come by. I purchased a solenoid that was very easy to install inside of the actual propane locker. The entire locker fit in the upper starboard lazarette right where the CNG tank used to be located. I cut a small plywood board to serve as a shelf and just laid it on top of the wire support that used to hold the CNG tank. The locker is secured in place by webbed belts secured to footman's loops I affixed to the wall of the lazarette. To refill the tanks I loosen the webbed belts and let the locker fall towards the center of the lazarette, after which I can take the top off and remove the propane tanks for refilling. The bottom of the locker has a nipple for a vent hose. I ran a hose from that nipple to a hole that I drilled in the side of the lazarette, making sure that the vent hole was about one inch lower than the nipple and hose run. That ensures that the propane leaks overboard, if it leaks at all. Running the hose from the propane locker to the galley is a breeze, as you just follow the old CNG hose run. You run the solenoid control switch wires along the same route. I installed the solenoid control on the galley cabinet right above the microwave oven, where the fan switch is located on the older P 42 models. I also installed two propane "sniffers", one in the galley floor area and one in the bilge area, just under the freezer compressors. Your Seaward stove is easily converted to propane by purchasing their standard jet conversion package. The jet replacements are a breeze. During the years we lived aboard and used our stove/oven regularly, we found a single tank of propane would last about 8 to 12 weeks. That provided us with plenty of propane for even the longest island excursions. As an aside, we used to have a charcoal magma BBQ, but charcoal is almost impossible to find in the Polynesian islands. So we converted to a magma propane BBQ. We affix a 1.4 gallon propane tank to a stanchion and run a short line to the BBQ. Since the tank is outside there is no concern about venting or solenoids. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions about other aspects of the conversion. I was very happy that I did it, and was actually surprised at how easy it was to complete once I found the right sized locker.
Ted, I have a 1991 Passage 42 that I converted to propane in 1993. We cruised the South Pacific, and CNG was available only in NZ, while propane was available everywhere. It was time consuming, but not particularly difficult or expensive to do. The hardest part is finding a properly sized propane locker and locating it conveniently. We purchased an airtight purpose built plastic propane locker from West Marine in 1993. It has a gasketed top and a vent at the bottom. I can't remember the price, but believe it was around $200 to $300. It holds two of the 11 pound (four gallon, I think) propane tanks. I truly can't remember whether it came with a double tank hose set-up or whether I bought that separately from West. In any event, that part is very easy to come by. I purchased a solenoid that was very easy to install inside of the actual propane locker. The entire locker fit in the upper starboard lazarette right where the CNG tank used to be located. I cut a small plywood board to serve as a shelf and just laid it on top of the wire support that used to hold the CNG tank. The locker is secured in place by webbed belts secured to footman's loops I affixed to the wall of the lazarette. To refill the tanks I loosen the webbed belts and let the locker fall towards the center of the lazarette, after which I can take the top off and remove the propane tanks for refilling. The bottom of the locker has a nipple for a vent hose. I ran a hose from that nipple to a hole that I drilled in the side of the lazarette, making sure that the vent hole was about one inch lower than the nipple and hose run. That ensures that the propane leaks overboard, if it leaks at all. Running the hose from the propane locker to the galley is a breeze, as you just follow the old CNG hose run. You run the solenoid control switch wires along the same route. I installed the solenoid control on the galley cabinet right above the microwave oven, where the fan switch is located on the older P 42 models. I also installed two propane "sniffers", one in the galley floor area and one in the bilge area, just under the freezer compressors. Your Seaward stove is easily converted to propane by purchasing their standard jet conversion package. The jet replacements are a breeze. During the years we lived aboard and used our stove/oven regularly, we found a single tank of propane would last about 8 to 12 weeks. That provided us with plenty of propane for even the longest island excursions. As an aside, we used to have a charcoal magma BBQ, but charcoal is almost impossible to find in the Polynesian islands. So we converted to a magma propane BBQ. We affix a 1.4 gallon propane tank to a stanchion and run a short line to the BBQ. Since the tank is outside there is no concern about venting or solenoids. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions about other aspects of the conversion. I was very happy that I did it, and was actually surprised at how easy it was to complete once I found the right sized locker.
thanks paul
Paul Excellent answer! My chief concern was that the CNG locker wouldn't easily adapt to a propane locker. Sounds like it did convert fairly easily. Did you sail your passage 42 from the s pacific to alaska?
Paul Excellent answer! My chief concern was that the CNG locker wouldn't easily adapt to a propane locker. Sounds like it did convert fairly easily. Did you sail your passage 42 from the s pacific to alaska?
Cheaters
Ted, we left Sabina in Newport Beach, CA, until the next cruise. With the short sailing season up here in Southcentral Alaska, we actually get better use of our boat by flying down to CA when we can. It also fits in with my wife's directive about keeping the boat between 40 degrees south and north latitude.
Ted, we left Sabina in Newport Beach, CA, until the next cruise. With the short sailing season up here in Southcentral Alaska, we actually get better use of our boat by flying down to CA when we can. It also fits in with my wife's directive about keeping the boat between 40 degrees south and north latitude.
Anybody want a shipmate CNG stove/oven
I just gave up on the CNG. While it is available in my area, too darned expensive. Not really a good place to put a propane locker on the Legend 37.5. Went with an origo alcohol 3000 instead. If anyone has an interest in a very high quality Shipmate stainless steel CNG stove 2burner/w oven gimbals, potholders etc. let me know icetug@hotmail.com
I just gave up on the CNG. While it is available in my area, too darned expensive. Not really a good place to put a propane locker on the Legend 37.5. Went with an origo alcohol 3000 instead. If anyone has an interest in a very high quality Shipmate stainless steel CNG stove 2burner/w oven gimbals, potholders etc. let me know icetug@hotmail.com
CNG Stove?Oven
Yes I'm interested. I still have CNG and have two local sources for fill-up. Where are you located?
Yes I'm interested. I still have CNG and have two local sources for fill-up. Where are you located?
Where near Vero
Bob, We're always interested in CNG sources near the waterway. We used Ft Pierce Utility Co on the way down. What other source(s) can we find near Vero Beach? We'll be back in April.
Bob, We're always interested in CNG sources near the waterway. We used Ft Pierce Utility Co on the way down. What other source(s) can we find near Vero Beach? We'll be back in April.
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