What is the box mounted on the C28 swimstep?

[Blair White]

It is located right in the center, and is a pretty good size.
I am sure there is documentation somewhere that says what it is, but I can't find it.

 

[Whidbey Cruiser]

This is the propane tank storage box.

 

[Blair White]

This is the propane tank storage box.

OK, thanks.

I guess my next question would be to the manufacturer to as why it isn't stored in the boat?
This looks like an idea that came after they designed the boat, and someone forgot about the propane tank.
I don't get it.

 

[BradOwens]

Propane and other flammables are safer if stored where the heavier than air fumes can't make their way into the bilge. The swim step is ideal.

 

[JamesTXSD]

This is the propane tank storage box.

OK, thanks.

I guess my next question would be to the manufacturer to as why it isn't stored in the boat?
This looks like an idea that came after they designed the boat, and someone forgot about the propane tank.
I don't get it.

Propane stored in an enclosed area (like the cabin of a boat) is an explosion looking to happen. Propane is heavier than air - a leak and it will go to the lowest point, just waiting for an ignition source.

 

[Blair White]

Hmmmm, OK.

On my sailboat the propane tank is stored in a lazarette in my cockpit.
It has never been an issue.
I wonder why this type boat can't have it stored in the same way?

 

[Catch22]

If your lazarette is not a top loading unit with a vapor tight lid and having
a drain for water and gases at the bottom that vent to the exterior of the boat it is non conforming to current standards. As far as never having a problem so far, consider yourself fortunate. LPG explosions are ugly.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hmmmm, OK.

On my sailboat the propane tank is stored in a lazarette in my cockpit.
It has never been an issue.
I wonder why this type boat can't have it stored in the same way?

Consider this a learning experience. The fact that it has never been an issue is fortunate for you, but that doesn't make it a proper practice. The last sailboat we owned had storage in the cockpit that had venting at the bottom, not leading to the bilge. I can't imagine any builder signing off on putting propane containers in a cockpit locker than isn't vented outside the boat.

 

[Chimo]

Even those of us that only use the small single use propane canisters for our bbq wouldn’t store them where a leak could go to the bilge. We have a lunch bag that just holds two canisters attached to the aft cockpit rail and vented over the swim platform.

 

[Wee Venture]

I used to own a Sea Ray which I bought second hand where the previous owner had removed the alcohol stove and replaced it with a “more efficient” propane burner. He simply ran the gas line to a cylinder which he put under the counter. It was a disaster waiting to happen. The first thing I did after buying the boat was to remove that and put in a Wallas.

Here is a link to the ABYC standards, incorporared into federal law for which “criminal penalties may apply for noncompliance.” Sections 1.12.1 and 1.12.2 (including subsections) spell out what has already been discussed here: propane cylinders must be stored in a ventilated, weather protected area outside the boat, OR, in a dedicated locker which is sealed to the interior of the hull and which is vented at the bottom to the exterior of the hull above the waterline.

https://law.resource.org/pub/us/cfr/ibr ... 1.1993.pdf

 

[Blair White]

Interesting information.
Thanks for the education.

I have owned quite a few RVs that had propane, and they were all mounted outside of the vehicle. I have never had any issues.

I have not looked in to my propane locker in my sailboat, but will now, just for curiosity sake.
My boat was built by a reputable manufacturer, so I am sure all safety issues have been properly addressed.

I understand the theory on keeping the propane tank storage area well ventilated, but just don't understand why this is mounted on the swimstep? I have never seen this on any boat. Why can't it have it's own locker in the cockpit area?
Where is it mounted on other CW and RT boats?

 

[jagizzi]

So it is not just the flammable hazard that leaking fumes present, Propane gas in an enclosed space displaces the air and anyone sleeping on the boat would be at a great risk of suffocating. There are quite a few stories about just this issue. Propane needs to be in a separate space from the berth and cabin per ABYC for this reason.

 

[YukonRon]

Interesting information.
Thanks for the education.

I have owned quite a few RVs that had propane, and they were all mounted outside of the vehicle. I have never had any issues.

I understand the theory on keeping the propane tank storage area well ventilated, but just don't understand why this is mounted on the swimstep? I have never seen this on any boat. Why can't it have it's own locker in the cockpit area?

Where is it mounted on other CW and RT boats?

This is why RVs had tanks mounted outside on the back, or on the tongue for trailers. Now most will have a sealed enclosure with an outside door that has vent grills.

Propane is heavy and sinks to the bilge. Ventilation must be at the bottom of the locker, so it can't be in the cockpit where the vent would be near or below water line. The swimstep mounting allows any leaked gas to safely flow overboard.

 

[BB marine]

I understand the theory on keeping the propane tank storage area well ventilated, but just don't understand why this is mounted on the swimstep? I have never seen this on any boat. Why can't it have it's own locker in the cockpit area?
Where is it mounted on other CW and RT boats?

Because of the designed ventilation system in the Cutwater, the cockpit is where all the air comes from to supply combustion and cooling for the engine compartment. So if the propane tank was stored in the cockpit it would have to be in a completely air tight sealed compartment vented to the outside of the boat. There are no sealed bulkheads in the Cutwater any vapors or gases present in the cockpit can make there way into the cabin. All engine ventilation comes from air gaps formed between the cockpit liner and the hull. There are no external vents to exhaust vapors, gases, or odors out of the compartments below the deck or engine compartment. The design uses the induction of the engine to exhaust warm compartment air, vapors ,gases, odors. For this reason I believe Fluid motion elected to install the propane storage on the swim platform. Safest, easiest and least expensive installation. The downside of it is the area is wet and if a metal tank is being used it requires some maintenance. We have all electric, stove and convection oven. This is an option with the Cutwater. It eliminates the need of Propane and the box on the platform. I still have the box on the platform to store my fuel tank for our motor used on our RIB. I also use it for storing cleaning supplies for the boat.

 

[YukonRon]

I keep a milk crate bungied on the swim step for the small bbq propane canisters, stove alcohol, and other flammables. It's very well ventilated, but also gets very wet. Plastic containers or the aluminum fuel bottles for backpacking works well for the liquids to prevent rust. To prevent rusted propane canisters, BBQ more often. 🙂
Oh, and the blue milk crates match my hull nicely 🙂

 

[quinsky]

The swimstep locker has a round cutout for a propane tank and a “home plate” cutout for a gas tank for the dinghy. I have electric stove and microwave so I keep gas can, grill propane bottles and assorted engine fluids in it. If you want more room on your swimstep it’s easy enough to remove.

 

[aintmissb]

Every sailboat that I have owned has had a propane canister locker in the cockpit, complete with a vent below the locker leading to the outside of the boat. Perfectly safe, especially when combined with a solenoid valve which is kept in the off position when the stove is not being used. I don't understand the reluctance of power boaters to use propane stoves, and then have to run the generator in order to make a cup of coffee. I sure wish my C28 had a propane stove, I would gladly trade the generator, and the AC, for one.

Roger Ware, Kingston, ON

 

[Cutwater28GG]

you'll be wanting that Northwest edition 😀