Propane box

[BunnyPlanet169]

Just want to be clear, it's just something I've read about in other places. Don't have one on my boat, that's not my picture.

I've heard that they hold a standard Chardonnay bottle as well, but again, hearsay.

I've always thought it would be fun to put a horizontal 10 gallon bottle into a oak keg, and strap that down to the aft deck....

[BunnyPlanet169]

Here's where I saw it the first time - and the writer mentions he heard it somewhere else - the idea has been around.

He mentions the crux of the matter - tie a string around the neck of the bottles so you can fish them out if they're more than one deep. Good idea.

https://www.triton381.com/projects/smallprojects/bbq.htm#Propane%20Cylinder%20Storage

This guy used to do boat restoration, IDK if he's still in business, but his work and attention to detail is completely over the top. It's worth poking around on the website to get ideas and inspiration.

One fun project: He turned a Triton into a big daysailor...

[sastanley]

I am using a tupperware type container with flip over handles. it is probably not air tight, but I figure it is better than nothing. I also store my green 1lb. cans with Mac Caps.

Link on Amazon - http://a.co/geV0THA

[Peter]

Couple of questions here, hopefully still relevant and pertinent to this thread:
1. Does anyone have any experience to share using these propane bottles aboard?

Thanks!

I have used these bottles camping and you need to be very careful with them once you have used them and then removed them from the appliance. I have had one of them not seal up properly after it was removed. I did not hear a leak but the bottle was empty when I went to use it next. Fortunately no bang...

Now when I disconnect them I always hold the bottle up to my ear to see if I can hear any gas escaping.

It may have been the case that this was a pretty old cylinder - we bought a bunch on sale and they lasted us quite a few years - but maybe the sealing mechanism does not last that long? I think it is made of rubber.

Based on my experience camping, proper storage on a boat very important for these small bottles. And I no longer buy them in bulk.

Peter

[joe_db]

You also can buy adapters for hooking up a propane connection from a big tank to one of these little bottles. If you don't use your stove a ton, you could run it off the 1 pound cylinder and not have to engineer a propane locker

[ndutton]

I propose storage of the small one pounders is equally important as the larger tanks. Propane is propane regardless of the container.

[joe_db]

100%
It is just easier to find outside space for small ones

I propose storage of the small one pounders is equally important as the larger tanks. Propane is propane regardless of the container.

[ndutton]

10-4 on that. Please remember my suggestion of the foredeck anchor well for those who are so equipped for the small point of use tank storage. It's sealed from the interior of the boat, open to the deck and has an overboard drain thereby meeting most of the requirements.

[romantic comedy]

I just thought of this. I went sailing with a guy from my dock. It was a 35 foot center cockpit sloop.

There was a top opening anchor locker forward. Inside was a 20 pound propane cylinder surrounded by the chain. The chain just dropped around the cylinder. Guess it was ok because it drained overboard.......

[Vermonstah]

Thanks to all for the insights here. A wealth of informaiton as always.

I am using a tupperware type container with flip over handles. it is probably not air tight, but I figure it is better than nothing. I also store my green 1lb. cans with Mac Caps.

And thanks for the pointer here. Just ordered myself a pair of these caps. I like the idea of the caps providing some redundacy to achieve a tight seal, for storage anyway.

And I will be sure to check for leaks following each usage.

Thanks again

[joseph miller]

propane

the guy you refer to in post 32 is Tim Lackey, quite a craftsman.
he works in Maine, search Lackey Sailing to see what he is working on.
Joe

[joe_db]

A word of warning:
I had a pot of boiling water overflow and put the burner out. My oven has a safety thermocouple, but the stove burners do not. It was a windy day and the hatches were open, so the gas was diluted enough to not smell bad. I am not sure what would have happened long term, at the very least all my gas would have gone overboard and at worst it might have

* I have CNG, so at least it was going up and out
I also keep reminding myself that Deepwater Horizon was done in by CNG, so it is no excuse to let your guard down.

[Administrator]

A word of warning:
I had a pot of boiling water overflow and put the burner out. My oven has a safety thermocouple, but the stove burners do not. It was a windy day and the hatches were open, so the gas was diluted enough to not smell bad. I am not sure what would have happened long term, at the very least all my gas would have gone overboard and at worst it might have

* I have CNG, so at least it was going up and out
I also keep reminding myself that Deepwater Horizon was done in by CNG, so it is no excuse to let your guard down.

I've had exactly the same thing happen with a stovetop coffee pot boiling over.

Bill

[Van_Isle]

Few things here from the regs:

1. lockers shall only open from the top ... so one that you have to lie down sideways to remove the tank I would say would be a no-no.

2. you can't store anything else in the same locker, so using the anchor locker is a no-no ... and I'd say even if you relocate the anchor, chain and rode elsewhere it still wouldn't meet the requirements, unless modified, because it's of a design the just begs you to also use it for storage (like for that anchor, chain and rode that is now in the way on the deck!).

3. Hanging the propane tank, regulator, etc. off the stern rail ... it needs to be protected from the weather and against mechanical damage. So ... does that mean you still need a locker? Probably.

4. Your regulator relief valve outlet has to be at least 20-inches from any opening to the boat's interior. What's usually on the stern of a sailboat and in many cases about 20-inches from where a rail-mount tank and regulator is located? Blower intake and/or exhaust. Oops!

5. How about the overboard vent from a propane locker ... it too has to be at least 20-inches away from any opening. Exhaust and bilge pump outlets? I guess they would qualify (to the letter of the reg, but since they (should) have vertical loops, I highly doubt propane vapours would be an issue).

6. The regulation does allow you to have a propane locker inside the boat as long as it's in a boat locker that opens to the outside and the propane locker is located as high and close as possible to the locker's opening.

So .... as far as I can tell ... it ain't an easy proposition.

By the way ... anyone with a current (2013 ... not 2000) version of the regulation able to comment on any specific changes?

[Van_Isle]

I'm interested in keeping this discussion going .... updated regulation??

Anyone had any further brilliant ideas on a propane locker layout?

My C&C 27 doesn't really have many options. Given that I have a propane stove, cabin heater and BBQ and my current regulator, valves, solenoid are in dire need of replacement ... I'd be interested in any suggestions on getting that tank off the stern rail. I'm thinking might be easier to locate a box with a couple 10-pound tanks.