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13-07-2012, 15:18
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Newport News VA
Boat: Egg Harbor sedan cruiser 1970
Posts: 958
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keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
As in a small green cylinder like you would buy in the camping section for stoves or lights.
Is 16 ounces a dangerous explosive hazard to keep on the boat say if the cylinder had a leak it would go down to the bilge. Is that enough propane on a 37 foot boat to cause an explosion?
Or would be ok. I have read it takes from 2 to 10 percent for explosion limits when propane is mixed into the air.
Assume small tank is stored in a locker and the tank valve has a slow leak.
They look like this.
If one is ok, then how many is not ok?
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13-07-2012, 15:26
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,379
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
The percentage of propane to air for an explosion risk is quite arbitrary because propane sinks. You can think of it sort of like water. If water is leaking into your boat, what happens?
It runs down and all pools in one spot right? And that one spot is very dangerous if a spark or flame happens close enough.
If you're going to keep explosive fuels onboard, no matter how small the container, I suggest the proper installation be observed. It would not be a big hassle to build a small airtight box for those little bottles.
__________________
Let your heart tell you where to go, but let your brain tell you how to get there. 
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13-07-2012, 15:30
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bristol PA, on the Tidal Delaware River, Anchor Yacht club.
Boat: Oday 30, 4'11" draft
Posts: 100
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
Just keep it outside the boat. Don't leave anything to chance or assumption. Anchor lockers are almost always safe because they "drain" outside the boat's bow.
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13-07-2012, 15:31
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Solent, England
Boat: Moody 31
Posts: 18,704
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
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13-07-2012, 15:39
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tampa Bay area, USA
Boat: Beneteau First 42
Posts: 3,961
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdowney717
As in a small green cylinder like you would buy in the camping section for stoves or lights.
Is 16 ounces a dangerous explosive hazard to keep on the boat say if the cylinder had a leak it would go down to the bilge. Is that enough propane on a 37 foot boat to cause an explosion?
Or would be ok. I have read it takes from 2 to 10 percent for explosion limits when propane is mixed into the air.
Assume small tank is stored in a locker and the tank valve has a slow leak.
They look like this.
If one is ok, then how many is not ok? |
We carry several of these aboard, together with an adapter, as a backup in case we run out of propane in our primary propane system. I wrap them in a single layer of bubble wrap and then package them in vacuum sealed pouches with our FoodSaver. They can be resealed in this manner even if partially used in one's mantel-lamp or grill. Any seepage from the cyclinders is evident by the "swelling" of the vacuum pouch. We've kept several cyclinders aboard--in our sealed/overboard vented propane locker--for several years in this manner with no leakage or degredation of the cyclinders.
FWIW...
__________________
"It is not so much for its beauty that the Sea makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from the waves, that so wonderfully renews a weary spirit."
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13-07-2012, 15:45
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 42
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Store it outside in a locker that is ventilated well. If it is in a vacuum sealed bag and leaks the pressure of the tank would be greater than what the bag will hold.
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13-07-2012, 15:47
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,492
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeniseO30
Just keep it outside the boat. Don't leave anything to chance or assumption. Anchor lockers are almost always safe because they "drain" outside the boat's bow. |
Well mine appears to drain into the bilge.
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13-07-2012, 15:49
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle
Boat: Cal 40 (sold). Still have a Hobie 20
Posts: 2,974
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
I've followed a suggestion I found on CF of a 3" diameter PVC pipe long enough for 2 of the green bottles lashed to a stanchion. Top it with a cap.
John
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13-07-2012, 15:52
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,492
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
What a great idea. Mine lives in the dock locker unless I'm going to BBQ then it lives attached to the bottom of the BBQ.
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13-07-2012, 15:57
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 42
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by cal40john
I've followed a suggestion I found on CF of a 3" diameter PVC pipe long enough for 2 of the green bottles lashed to a stanchion. Top it with a cap.
John
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Bingo!
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13-07-2012, 16:46
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: 3rd wave passed the sea wall
Boat: private yacht always moving
Posts: 1,388
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
i left 6 of them in a deck locker for 5 months when I was no onboard. When I came back the salt air had put holes in them
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14-07-2012, 09:20
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tampa Bay area, USA
Boat: Beneteau First 42
Posts: 3,961
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
Quote:
Originally Posted by captainKJ
i left 6 of them in a deck locker for 5 months when I was no onboard. When I came back the salt air had put holes in them |
The benefit of a vacuum pack is that the bottles are completely protected from the environment/salt air. Storage in an exteior mounted PVC pipe would still be a possible as well...
FWIW...
__________________
"It is not so much for its beauty that the Sea makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from the waves, that so wonderfully renews a weary spirit."
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14-07-2012, 14:18
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Catskill Mountains when not cruising
Boat: 31' homebuilt Michalak-designed Cormorant "Sea Fever"
Posts: 2,115
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
Quote:
Originally Posted by cal40john
I've followed a suggestion I found on CF of a 3" diameter PVC pipe long enough for 2 of the green bottles lashed to a stanchion. Top it with a cap.
John
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Wouldn't it be 4" PVC pipe?
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14-07-2012, 14:26
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle
Boat: Cal 40 (sold). Still have a Hobie 20
Posts: 2,974
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cormorant
Wouldn't it be 4" PVC pipe?
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I think you're right. I measured, bought then promptly forgot the size.
John
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17-07-2012, 13:40
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Western KY
Boat: Morgan 321, BELIEVE
Posts: 203
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Re: keeping a small 16 ounce propane cylinder on the boat
Quote:
Originally Posted by cal40john
I've followed a suggestion I found on CF of a 3" diameter PVC pipe long enough for 2 of the green bottles lashed to a stanchion. Top it with a cap.
John
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Atach a teather to the cap to keep from losing overboard.
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