CNG VS ProPane

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darbay

I am looking to buy my first boat. I have come across several boats with CNG.

1) Where do you get CNG? We will be sailing on the west coast and Mexico.
2)Can you convert a CNG stove / oven to Propane?
 
windward54

windward54

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Mar 12, 2008
557
Jeanneau 49 DS San Pedro, CA
CNG is great, but it is hard to find. If you are planning on doing any traveling, you would be do much better with sticking to propane. There are ways to convert some stoves to propane, but you would have to convert the entire system, not just the stove.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,031
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
CNG sources

1. do a Google search on safgas

2. do a search on this site for "CNG sources"

It's out there. We have a source right down the atreet from our marina, and until it goes belly up, we'll keep our CNG. We have a backup tank on board, too. We usually get over eight months a tank, but use our boat more often than most, 150 engine hours a year, at least once a week.

You can convert the stove later if you choose.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Re: CNG sources

There are two things that you must change: The orifices on all of your burners and your regulators. Propane has more heat per cu.ft. than CNG so the orifice is smaller. Propane is more available today than kerosine, CNG is available in limited areas.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Depends where you live. If you are in the SF Bay area you can get it at Sven's.

Where do you/boat live?
 
Joseph Shirley

Joseph Shirley

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Jun 13, 2005
559
Irwin Barefoot 37 CC Sloop Port Orchard WA
You won't get CNG in Mexico. You would be better off with propane.

Good luck

Joe S
 
KD3PC

KD3PC

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Sep 25, 2008
1,069
boatless rainbow Callao, VA
you must also create a propane storage locker and install a vapor detector/automatic switch, if you hope to get insurance. Most CNG lockers are not adequate for Propane. DO not skimp on the installation. It can be done DIY, but you must check for leaks at every joint and adapter.

ALl the best

dave
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Aside from CNG being less available and less efficient than Propane, it is often considered slightly safer. This is because CNG is lighter than air and will not settle inside a boat and poses a bit lower a risk of explosion because of this. However, for a cruising boat, the wider availablity and greater heat output of Propane makes it far better a choice as fuels go. I'd also point out that in many areas, the "LPG" is a mixture of butane and propane, and that a propane stove can usually burn butane with little problem. :)
 
B

Benny

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Sep 27, 2008
1,149
Hunter 320 Tampa, FL
Like others have mentioned it is not just the stove, besides the propane tank locker, you need a pressure switch, a remote solenoid switch, stove safety thermal switches and perhaps a propane sniffer. CNG is getting harder and harder to find and if you intend to travel outside the US it is next to impossible to find.
 
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Barnacle Bill

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Jun 9, 2008
1,801
- -- -Bayfield
CNG is safe (not harmful to breathe like LPG), lighter than air (won't sit down in the boat where it can kill you if you have a leak - it instead travels out the companionway and it burns hotter than propane, which cooks like.
If you go to a regular gas outlet store (not marine), you can usually find it. Some marinas will have an exchange facility, but gas companies often can refill your CNG tank. Also, people who use it tend to say it is more economical in that it lasts longer than LPG too. In Europe Butane and Propane is easier to find for sure. Going to Europe soon?
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Bill—

CNG has a lower BTU value (per cubic foot or per gallon) than either Propane or Butane and is far less economical than either. Also, not sure where you got the idea that Methane (the primary component of CNG) burns hotter than Propane.



It is safer in that it is lighter than air and it has a higher LEL than Propane. It is safer in that methane is a simple asphixiant as opposed to propane, which is toxic in concentrations of 2500 PPM or higher.

Barnacle Bill said:
CNG is safe (not harmful to breathe like LPG), lighter than air (won't sit down in the boat where it can kill you if you have a leak - it instead travels out the companionway and it burns hotter than propane, which cooks like.
If you go to a regular gas outlet store (not marine), you can usually find it. Some marinas will have an exchange facility, but gas companies often can refill your CNG tank. Also, people who use it tend to say it is more economical in that it lasts longer than LPG too. In Europe Butane and Propane is easier to find for sure. Going to Europe soon?
Click to expand
 
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