Propane locker conversion

[JetPowers]

Hi all, new to the forum. I appreciate being welcome and hope to earn it too.

I am in survey stage for a '79 Northshore Fisher 34 with a non-ABYC compliant side-loading Propane locker (dual?) located on the canoe transom wall. Measurements unknown. The fiberglass combing is too narrow to place a top loading hatch.

Wondering: 1) US insurability concerns in a practical sense 2) Anyone with experience or advice relocating a locker within cockpit confines and hopefully pertaining to this boat.

I believe an aft lazarette would house rudder/emergency tiller, manual bilge mechanisms and side lazarettes might be confluent to the bilge.

I am hoping either a locker might be placeable within the existing locker or how difficult it might be to give up side lazarette space AND be able to run the vents to existing rear thru-hulls. Or...change to alternate fuel - really a last resort for now.

Boat is remote so with apologies, I am only guessing at some of the OEM setup.

Thanks kindly and in advance so as not to tie up the thread with multiple thank you's.

[capt jgw]

Faced with the same problem on one of my previous boats I ended up hanging the tank on the stern pulpit outside the deck line. Similar to what you might see on the front of a camping trailer, I used the same brackets. It wasn't pretty but it worked and was compliant.

[gonesail]

from what i can see there is a storage area in the cockpit above the seats.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by gonesail

from what i can see there is a storage area in the cockpit above the seats.

I believe that's the non compliant installation the OP was referring to. By ABYC and I believe USCG standards the locker must be top loading and vented overboard so no leakage can find it's way into the hull. That locker does not meet those requirements.

[JetPowers]

That photo is the exact setup, the side locker being present storage. The aft lazarette would I think be 1) an uphill venting or too close to waterline 2) competing with the rudder/emergency tiller hardware and possibly a mechanical bilge pump.

If neither then I'd be all set for conversion. I could possibly have a custom made teak on stainless frame pulpit built but not thrilled with anything a storm might rip off - that would counter the incredible seaworthiness the boat is capable of. Not out of the question though.
Hoping someone is aware of conversions done on this model or similar. I'm guessing all the original versions of this boat have this issue. But truly appreciate the responses, thank you both.

[boatpoker]

We had a similar issue ....

PM me an email address and I'll send you the ABYC propane standards in a pdf.