Propane Protection

[Gary Wyngarden]

I'm working my way down the surveyor's list on my new H37.5. One of the survey items the insurance company has zeroed in on is that the cannister enclosing the propane tank does not have a gas impermeable gasket sealing the lid on the cannister. Does anyone have any thoughts on appropriate material and source for such a gasket? Thanks for your help.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust H37.5

 

[Stu Jackson]

Keep a Lid On It!

GaryYou may want to try an automotive store. Try the gasketing that's used around hoods and trunks. Don't know if it's impermeable.Also, try calling Seaward who make propane lockers for production sailboats (that's us!), and they could probably tell you what they use on their prefabricated lockers.Stu

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Thanks, Stu!

Well that was quick. I picked up the phone number for Seaward off the Hunter Marine web site. I called them and got their parts department who is going to send me a section of gasketing material with sticky tape on one side I can attach to the underside of the lid. NO CHARGE. Talk about building customer loyalty. Thanks again for the suggestion.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust H37.5

 

[Stu Jackson]

Back

GaryMy pleasure and thanks for the work you do here, much appreciated.Stu

 

[Chris Burti]

Question back.

Is the locker lid external to all enclosed spaces?

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Answer to Chris

Chris, the enclosure on my boat is in a cockpit locker, which I guess underscores the importance of its being air tight. If the propane tank leaks for whatever reason, in theory the propane would be contained in the enclosure, and sink to the enclosure's bottom where it is vented overboard.Hope this helps.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust H37.5

 

[Fred Ficarra]

And to that end, Gord posted the ABYC

requirements last week. On a H34, it can't be done. But I've had a 20lb aluminum bottle aboard for 18 years. The key (besides not leaking) seems to be 'vent overboard'. My locker can never pass their requirements. My insurance company wasn't concerned. I guess they figure that it's my ass, they only have money at risk.

 

[Chris Burti]

Why is that Fred?

I have helped a couple of friends retrofit propane lockers aboard. Custom built ones, not adaptions of aftermarket production units. It is reasonably easy, 2-weekend job (we stuck with external lids by cutting the seats, Gary). I am not familiar with the H34, so I'm just curious as to why it can't be made safe.Regards

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Chris, sorry I didn't make myself clear.

I hate it when I do that. The voluntary specs of the ABYC set out construction details for all propane installations aboard vessels, of course. Without going into great detail, those specs require the tank to be accessible with no tools and with no need to remove other locker doors. Plus a whole host of other details that take all of the excitement out of propane.  Anyway, one other thing I didn't mean to say, was that propane on my boat wasn't safe. It is just fine and works great and a leak would vent properly. Because I use a 20lb bottle, the locker is so large as to not be readily accessible according to the specs. But, I don't care.