j&lgray
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2008
- Messages
- 644
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Vessel Name
- Trilogy
This is an important post is for all owners of the legacy tugs that have propane tanks in an external box on the swim step.
We have a 2012 Ranger 27 and the propane tanks are in separate box mounted on the swim step. I was doing a repair job on the stern thruster (Thank You Mike Rizzo for the clear instructions) when I noticed the propane line. This fuel hose leaves the box on the swim step, comes into the transom where the exhaust hose is bent in a curve as it goes from the muffler to the starboard side exit. The propane hose is either in direct contact or very close to the exhaust hose and it goes through a long sleeve of high temperature resistant material.
The Urgent Point: This material was not secured to keep it from slipping down the propane hose. On our tug, the material had slipped down a 12 inches allowing the propane line to be in direct and sustained contact with the exhaust hose. The fix was fast and easy: reposition the sleeve and use cable/wire ties to cinch it to the propane line.
I urge you to check your boat if you have the same setup. Open the center bench and look at the transom. The protective sleeve is dark orange on our boat and it should go between the propane line and the exhaust hose.
It is true that the exhaust hose after the muffler should not get super hot because of water cooling, but should a propane line that is open and full of gas fail and propane goes into the engine compartment, the results could be catastrophic.
We have a 2012 Ranger 27 and the propane tanks are in separate box mounted on the swim step. I was doing a repair job on the stern thruster (Thank You Mike Rizzo for the clear instructions) when I noticed the propane line. This fuel hose leaves the box on the swim step, comes into the transom where the exhaust hose is bent in a curve as it goes from the muffler to the starboard side exit. The propane hose is either in direct contact or very close to the exhaust hose and it goes through a long sleeve of high temperature resistant material.
The Urgent Point: This material was not secured to keep it from slipping down the propane hose. On our tug, the material had slipped down a 12 inches allowing the propane line to be in direct and sustained contact with the exhaust hose. The fix was fast and easy: reposition the sleeve and use cable/wire ties to cinch it to the propane line.
I urge you to check your boat if you have the same setup. Open the center bench and look at the transom. The protective sleeve is dark orange on our boat and it should go between the propane line and the exhaust hose.
It is true that the exhaust hose after the muffler should not get super hot because of water cooling, but should a propane line that is open and full of gas fail and propane goes into the engine compartment, the results could be catastrophic.