CNG?

[EJ]

I just bought a 1987 Catalina 30. I think (emphasis on think) I have a range that works off CNG (compressed natural gas). There is a big tank (that looks much like a scuba tank) under the helm seat. I lit off the burners in the galley after opening the valve in the hatch and it did light (and nothing blew up!) Anyway, I only have 500 pounds of whatever in the tank and I would like to get it refilled. Anyone know if a CNG stove was original equipment on this boat? How about where I could get the tank refilled? The boat is in St. Petersburg Florida. Thanks for any help.

 

[Gary Kunkel]

CNG Availability

We have a 1988 Catalina 30 which came with a CNG stove. We like it very much, but were initially concerned that CNG would be difficult to find. We've learned that many marine suppliers (check your local chandlery), particularly those near marinas, will have a CNG "change out" program. You just disconnect your tank (which does look like a scuba tank) and take it to the chandlery where it can be exchanged with a full one for a fee. I think ours cost $14 or $15 to exchange. If I remember correctly, the full tank has 2,000 p.s.i. or so of CNG .... and lasts a long, long time.Hope you enjoy your boat as much as we've enjoyed ours.Regards,

 

[Randy Roper]

CNG at Channel Islands Harbor

Gary,We just bought a 1985 Catalina 30 that uses CNG for the stove. I have two tanks, one is connected to the line going to the stove and is showing about 500 PSI, the other is a spare and I have no idea if it’s empty or full. I would appreciate it if you would give me the name of local chandlery you used for exchange of the tanks.We have had this boat for only two week and I don’t think I could be happier.Sincerely,

 

[Don]

CNG

500lb would last me about a year. The regulator only puts out 1/4lb of pressure to the stove. Give it a little time. If the stove has not been used in a while, it can take up to 15 seconds to purge the air out and light.

 

[Gary Kunkel]

Available at Channel Islands Harbor

Randy:CNG is available at Coast Chandlery, 3600 S Harbor Blvd, Channel Islands Harbor Phone: 805 815 4520 (new number)Coast is under new ownership, but I've just called and verified that they still have the CNG change-out program.And "yes" 500 lbs. would also last me a year of making coffee, etc.Gary

 

[ED]

Corp Brothers is a good CNG resource

Corp Brothers has a listing of dealers who will swap tanks. Alternatively, you can search the alternative fuels website for CNG refueling stations. At one time, Corp Brothers sold an adapter to refill the CNG tanks from automotive CNG refueling sites. The website for alternate fuels is http://www.afdc.nrel.gov/refueling_mapsite.shtml