Routing the line for propane

[Sanders]

I am installing a new propane stove, replacing the old kerosene stove (Old Smokey), and am looking for advice on routing the propane supply line from the rear of the boat where the tank will hang (aft on Starboard side) to the galley.

First question: Since the propane line attaches to the easily accessible bottom of the drop-in stove top, should I go from there UP into the storage cabinet, and then aft, or straight BACK through the aft stove cabinet bulkhead and try to get behind the refrigerator;

Second question: the refrigerator has had extra insulation blown in around it, and I wonder if there is room to drill behind it to reach into the startboard lazerette, and from there out to the tank.

Third: any advice about drilling and routing behind or over the refigerator?


FYI the stove top is a Dickinson drop-in, which fit exactly into the hole already cut for the old stove (a blessing) and required only cosmetic cabinet work.

Sanders

s/v Good News

 

[Val]

propane lines

There is a possible path that goes from under the stove to under the 3 vertical drawers.
On my boat, the "floor"/liner under the 3 drawers had a square hole cut in it to give access to the void between the liner and hull. My propane line runs under the stove, over to and up out of the square hole. It then runs under the right side wall of the 3 drawer cabinet and up into the engine compartment(not very good) and back across to the aft port area then out the aft coaming. I will probably change this to run up out of the square hole and out the back of the 3 drawer cabinet. Don't like the hose running near the engine.
I have already removed the lower part of the back wall there to gain better access to the start battery which is right behind the wall.

Previous owner had a propane box in the aft port lazarette, but it did not have a top and I wanted the lazarette for other things.

I added two tall narrow alum tanks, mounted on a board outside the aft railing.
I found a metal strap tank holder at a welding supply store that fits and is lined with rubber. I may switch to a 5gal alum tank, but haven't figured out a mounting.

Problem with the tall narrow tanks is that, around here, they sell a minimum amount of propane which is more than both tanks hold so I get screwed every time I fill them.
I think they hold either 1-1/2 gal or pounds of propane, so total is 3 gals/lbs and min is 5 gals. You might want to check on this in your area.

What is a Lifesling fiberglass box?

 

[Sanders]

Lifesling box

The Lifesling is the man overboard device with a collar and floating line. They usually come in a soft case (waterproofed canvas) but you can purchase a hard shelled fiberglass case, and friends of mine use them for everything from storage for snorkle gear, to a propane box (with appropriate ventilation drilled)... I think they show in the WM catalog or at Defender.com

S.

 

[Dave Wilson]

How I did mine propane line.

Sanders,

Propane scares me to death, but when the Admiral said get old sooty out that's what I did.

I got a small tank from Sure Marine in Seattle and put it in a box in the starboard rear lazerette. A friend of mine came up with the idea of using the through bolts under the toe rail to hold the gas line. He made plastic nuts that were tapped to the same as the threads on the through bolts ends. In each of these he drilled a perpendicular hole. I then ran the gas line to the new stove & oven by following the bolts and zip tying the gas line to the plastic nuts. Everything is way up out of the way and shouldn’t chafe. I came down through the rear dish cabinet, behind the cover panel behind the stove and connected it to the stove. For the connection thought the cabinet I added some hard plastic split ribbed conduit that you can get at an Ace Hardware store as additional chafe protection. I vented my box out the stern and added a sniffer under the stove. It’s worked great for the last 3 years.

Hope this helps,

Dave

 

[Val]

propane Lines

I had custom made hose, lengths were too long for std.
No propane hose joints in the boat.
PO had a tee connection behind the stove leading to a force 10 wall heater.
I removed the tee ran a separate line.

 

[Dave Wilson]

No joints for me

The folks in Seattle made a custom length hose that is double walled with, I believe, stainless mesh in the hose. One fitting at the box the other at the stove.