Propane, to be or not to be!

[Trent]

kenyon stove

The previous owner of my 30 converted the kenyon homestrand from alcohol to propane by simply switching the burners should be a lot cheaper than anew stove!

 

[Bob]

We have a 1976 Hunter 30' that we are in the process of rehabbing. The admiral (I did genuflect) has decreed that there will be a Magma Catalina on the stern rail, so be it. Seems her birthday is only days away, OH! Gee! what shall I get?  I have torn out most of the interior, and the motor is coming soon. In the meantine, I am eating teak dust, making new panels where needed, and ordering replacment parts. No such animals exist for the existing two burner alcohol stove. It is a Homestrand #209 (I think a Kenynon predecessor) and it dosnt work, the pump is shot, and I dont have much faith in the adjustment knobs. I am inclined to change over to propane and the Taunton (Tasco)Stove Company is nearby (http://www.tauntonstove.com/products/stoves.html) I talked to the guy on the phone and he said he offers killer prices for walk-ins with cash in hand. Gee I wonder with April 15th looming large whats that all about. I am open to any other brans, I just haven't spent much time looking at the others yet, I know force10, and seward both make stove, some of which are combos electric/propane. Tasco makes the combo as well. Anyone have any thoughts one way or another on propane, I know the whole propane locker issue makes it complicated but I did find a link today with a novel approach (its in the attached link) I think I can make the installation a little prettier, and just as functional. I would wrap the interior of the Bracket with some white sheet aluminum, maybe fabricate a cover, and leave the bottom open. Maybe a nice contrast between the white aluminum and stainless bracket. That would seem to satisfy all of the requirements, except for the solenoid (if thats necessary).  Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions

 

[sailorhayes]

check posts 6922

you might want to check out posts 6922 and 6928 of the 2004 ask any sailor forum to see a picture and text of a propane tank mounted on my 37 cutteri inherited this from a previous owner and think there is both good and bad in itbest wishes as you deal with the propane issuei hope no matter where you install the tank you will have a sniffer and blower below and not rely too much on the solenoidsmooth sailingsailorhayes@hotmail.com

 

[Kjell Arne13927]

Propane or Not Propane

Technical speeking:Propane is a highly flammable, invisible gas which is heavier than air. The gas is also non-smellable, but when bought on the open market a smelling compound has been added to it.The fact that it is heavier than air means that a leak will fill up your boat, which then has turned into a bomb. Any spark will ignite it. You will get a spark from any electric switch, from the starter or from your alternator. The consequence of such an event is catastrofic.Why do we use propane?Propane require small volume for storing large amounts of energy. Heat control during food preparation is excellent. The heated items stay clean. Recharged bottles is easily available and transportable.Propane can be used for lights and refrigerators.In other words it is very practical.If you want to install such a system in your boat, be sure to follow the existing regulations. I would expect those to be obtained from any dealer of propane equipment.I have a propane system for the stove my own boat. I love it, but I don't like it. Good look.

 

[Debra B]

Hang the tank on the stern rail

Similar to your related link - I hung my tank on the stern rail using a stanless fender-holder (cage type as in the photo). I also mounted the solenoid on the stern rail. I went to Home Depot and bought a plastic water-tight electrical junction box. This got mounted to a piece of starboard which got put on the stern rail with u-bolts. Keeps everything out of the boat!My tank is a 10 pound aluminum tank - actually I have 2 tanks, and I just bought a 2nd cage to mount the spare also on the stern rail. That way I know I always have 10 pounds in reserve. Seems to work fine.

 

[Bob]

Homestrand parts for conversion?

Trent, do you know where to get the burners?

 

[Ed]

Propane Lockers

We got rid of our non-pressurised stove a while back... I fabricated our propane lockers from 8 inch PVC pipe couplings, and caps for tops..We had a rack fabricated and mounted them originally on the aft rail, and after the arch was installed moved them to it...They came in atat least half the cost of one single locker, even when factoring in the cost of new components at retail cost... I have pictures available for anyone that wants/needs them..EdS/V MYST

 

[Lamar Miller]

Camp Stove

We use a two burner propane camping stove on our boat. The small gas tanks are readily available and also fit the stern mounted Magma grills. We don't do a lot of cooking on the boat. The propane is not kept inside the boat. The PVC pipe storage container is a good idea. We are also rehabbing our 1979 H-27. Lamar

 

[Paul F]

propane stove

Like others, I took the old presure alcohol unit out and now use the space for cool storage. An ac/dc cooler fit in the space perfectly. For occasional cooking we too use a camp stove - also good for carring onto the beach. The pvc pipe idea is a good one. Currently the propane cans are stored in a plastic container in the anchor locker which seems to work well.

 

[Trent]

Burners

Bob I will try to find out and let you know.

 

[Dale E. Baker]

Tasco Propane Locker

Bob,Tasco has a self contained propane locker that might work for you. Since you're near them, check it out. It does require a hole in the deck (about 10" I think) for the locker. My original plan on my H-33 was to move the stern cleats forward a few inches, then mount the locker where the port cleat was. That would place it outboard of the lazarette lid, hanging into the lazarette, so some storage space is lost, but worth it. Your boat configuration is different, but there still might be a place for you to locate the locker. Just take some measurements.

 

[Jim]

Ed, please post your pictures

so we can see you setup. thanks