Propane tank location

[brak]

On a certain boat (that shall remain nameless) the propane cylinder is installed in an anchor locker. That arrangement in itself is not too great, it limits the size of a cylinder, exposes cylinder and regulator and hoses to water and potential damage by chain/anchor.

However, there really aren't any other enclosed areas to install a propane locker - ABYC does not permit them installed in cockpit lockers or engine room (and rightfully so), and there isn't anything else.

Would it be wise/allowed by rules/work well to install the tank outside, say on deck in some sort of a holder attached to stern pulpit? Am I missing anything in considering this?

[camaraderie]

Maybe like this?
http://www.suremarine.com/manuals/as...ne-lockers.pdf

[Faster]

Or this?
We just made some hoops from 1/2 inch SS tubing, attached to the upright on the pulpit, into which the propane cylinder base fit, and then secured the tanks with bungies at the top. Completely "vented", obviously, as were the regulator and fittings. The hoses led through sealed fitting at the deck edge and then to the appliances, one for the heater, another for the stove, no extra inside connections.
Not sure about the ABYC legality....

[sailingdog]

I've seen some excellent cabin-top propane lockers, that were made up of starboard. You can have them in cockpit lockers, provided the lockers are airtight to the rest of the boat and vent overboard.

Personally, I'm not too keen on stern mounted propane tanks or lockers. They're too exposed out on the stern IMHO.

Faster-

Those tanks are vulnerable to being hit by all sorts of stuff...and are going to corrode far more quickly than if they were in a proper locker.

[brak]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I've seen some excellent cabin-top propane lockers, that were made up of starboard. You can have them in cockpit lockers, provided the lockers are airtight to the rest of the boat and vent overboard.

Personally, I'm not too keen on stern mounted propane tanks or lockers. They're too exposed out on the stern IMHO.

Airtight to the rest of the boat may be a problem - all lockers open more or less down below into engine space (or very near it and not hermetically protected).

I guess deck it is, though I'd probably install inboard of stern pulpit rather than outboard. Beats anchor locker anyway

[Faster]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Faster-

Those tanks are vulnerable to being hit by all sorts of stuff...and are going to corrode far more quickly than if they were in a proper locker.

It's true that they may be prone to rusting than enclosed installs, but this boat's transom is such a severe reverse that impact with anything was unlikely. In any event this arrangement served us quite well for a number of years.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Faster

It's true that they may be prone to rusting than enclosed installs, but this boat's transom is such a severe reverse that impact with anything was unlikely. In any event this arrangement served us quite well for a number of years.

And I thought the extreme counter of the transom was a photographic distortion. Probably wouldn't work on too many other boats though... at least not well.

[Freesail99]

These Propane Cylinders will not rust or corrode.

[sailingdog]

The valve mechanism is still prone to corrosion...

[sailingfool]

Back in my boat-hunting days I looked at a C&C 38 II (happened to belong to Tom Clancy) setup for cruising that had two cylinders positioned on the stern rail. It all looked OK to me...

Brak, if the current propane gear in the anchor locker isn't all beat up, you might leave well enough alone - yes, not the "right" place to put it, but is it in fact broken enough to change?

PS, Faster that is a hot looking boat, is it in fact a flush deck? How about some pics, now that we know every inch of the famous Giulietta...