Gas Explosion

[hpeer]

One wonders why kero isn't more popular?

Seems to me doing a simple risk analysis would rule out propane.

Did for me.

[colemj]

A simple risk analysis would pretty much rule out almost all of boating and boats.

Kero is not convenient, it is dirty and it smells. Other than that, it is a good choice.

Properly installed and maintained, propane is perfectly safe. Yes, you can point to boat fires and explosions from propane systems, but you can also consider boats that have sunk for many reasons related to systems, boats that have burned down for reasons related to systems, people who have fallen overboard, electrocuted or been critically hurt because of systems, etc.

Mark

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by colemj

A simple risk analysis would pretty much rule out almost all of boating and boats.

Kero is not convenient, it is dirty and it smells. Other than that, it is a good choice.......

Mark

Propane is convenient, clean, and not smelly, but can blow up your boat, kill you, and piss off your neighbors, other than that, it's a wonderful choice.

[colemj]

Yes, that is exactly my point, as well as the answer to your question regarding propane/kerosene choice.

People weigh the statistically very small risk of propane against the reality of inconvenient, dirty and smelly kerosene and make their choice.

Houses and businesses also blow up from propane and natural gas. More so than boats, but it remains considered a "safe" risk.

Mark

[hellosailor]

"One wonders why kero isn't more popular?"

You may have heard that some folks simply can't taste or smell certain compounds while others can. That's genetic and real.

Apparently some folks literally can't smell the perpetual STINK from kero and diesel, while some of us are literally sickened by it. Some folks, including Mercedes, say there is no odor if you choose first-quality fuels and they are properly combusted. To which I once replied, I guess that means no one on this planet knows how to choose them or burn them.

Of course if you've ever spent a week in a valley filled with wood-burning fireplaces, you'd probably agree that kero isn't the only fuel that stinks. And that propane isn't the only commodity that can easily kill you.

[colemj]

I can't smell kero or diesel well. Only if I am actually floating in it. Michele, on the other hand, can smell a drop of diesel half a world away.

Drives me nuts since I'm the one she makes find the leak/spill/figment of her imagination. Like sending a blind man to pick out upholstery patterns for you...

Mark

[hellosailor]

Or like asking a restaurant guest how their dinner was...when they've been smoking like a chimney and couldn't possibly taste a thing with a nicotine-numbed tongue and nose.

Or as my dog would say "What, don't you smell that?!"

Same thing for electrical fires, if you've ever said "Something's burning" and the person next to you says "I don't smell anything". Well, yeah, that's right, they probably don't.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by colemj

I can't smell kero or diesel well. Only if I am actually floating in it. Michele, on the other hand, can smell a drop of diesel half a world away.

Drives me nuts since I'm the one she makes find the leak/spill/figment of her imagination. Like sending a blind man to pick out upholstery patterns for you...

Mark

Sounds like the blank "man stare" standing in front of the spice selection looking for the saffro-marjo-anise-green chili powder combination that is said to be in one jar...

[Wotname]

You guys can on as much as you like about safety, who can smell what, who should chose the upholstery patterns, wood fires, dogs noses and spice combos BUT ...

real sailors reach for their kero smelling hot coffee at the end of a difficult watch and then retire to the grimy kero sooty bunk and reckon life is good.

I may not be a real sailor but I love my kero stove so I understand that she needs some patience to warm her up and yes, she does smell a bit and needs a clean occasionally but she serves me well - she is a keeper

[Parmenter]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

Did you see the large propane cylinder on a stand in the galley, in picture 3? I'm speechless.

Doesnt look like a propane bottle to me



Looks like one of these, you can even see the same shape handle on top

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Wotname

I understand that she needs some patience to warm her up and yes, she does smell a bit and needs a clean occasionally but she serves me well - she is a keeper

Had to read that twice to see who/what you were talking about

[Nicholson58]

why would you build a countertop rack for a poison pumper? Its tough to see in the blurry image but it looks like a regulator on the side. I can't say what I'm looking at.

[ElGatoGordo]

I'd guess that's a shower. I have a black ready-made solar version from Duckworks. Though I use mine outside.

Love my propane BTW

[colemj]

I posted earlier in this thread that the person whose boat exploded in the Rio Dulce had died. I posted that because that was what every single person had told me here. I was just informed by PM by another CF member that he is still alive and told to revise my post. I don't know why that member did not post the info himself, and I do not know the victim's actual status.

I made a mistake by posting heresay no matter the sources, so now withdraw that statement. He is either alive or dead.

Mark

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by colemj

...I made a mistake by posting heresay no matter the sources, so now withdraw that statement. He is either alive or dead.

As of 11:30 pm Jan. 5, 2014. Richard Muntzing of s/v Panacea was still in critical condition in a Guatemala City hospital.

➥ Rio Dulce Chisme Vindicator :: View topic - panacea

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 9:02 pm Post subject:
Dear forum readers,

My name is Fredrik, I am the son of Richard, owner of Panacea. Together with my twin brother I am currently in Guatemala City, where my father is getting medical treatment in the los Alamos hospital. He is not dead, contrary to what is believed on this forum.

His condition is critical but for the moment stable. In the explosion he suffered severe burns, more than 90pct. IiThe burns are not very deep, but together with his age they make up for a life threatening condition. The treating specialist does not give him more than 10 pct chances of survival at this point in time.

I was glad to see on his forum that he is well liked in the rio dulce community. Lets hope and pray for his rcovery.

Kind regards

Fredrik