battery safety and mast raising help?

[blueranger]

Hi,

A couple questions popped up after this weekend’s boat work came up which I was hoping someone could provide some help with.

I’m really concerned with the first question. The boat is a 1976 Mirage 24 which is basically a C&C 25 minus a foot. It has one house battery, which is stored under the port side lazerette. To keep the cabin warm this weekend, I wanted to use one of those Lil Buddy propane heaters. With the hatch cracked open it’s safe in terms of carbon monoxide but my concern is what about fumes from the battery?

Is it unsafe to run a propane heater with a battery in the same cabin? I’m thinking it should be okay, people cook in galleys on weekend cruisers that have several batteries inside the cabin but I’d like to see what those with more knowledge have to say.

The second question is I need to raise the 28 foot aluminum mast next weekend. Has anyone seen a plan on the web for building some sort of A-frame tabernacle for mast raising? I understand the concept but I can’t figure out how to position and rig the brace so "V" part slides smoothly down the mast as the mast is pulled upright (if that makes sense - the crotch where the mast sits). But I’m assuming first the foot of the mast is secured, the top of the mast hanging out over the bow pulpit, and then hauled upright from the rear and maybe that’s wrong. Any help would be appreciated!

Fair winds,
Mike

Boat still to be renamed…

[knothead]

Mike, check out this post.http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...-mast-diy.html

[sailingdog]

An unvented heater is often a serious CO poisoning risk, even if you vent the cabin. Often venting the cabin lets out just as much heat as the heater creates, so the net gain is minimal. If you are going to do this, make sure you have installed a working CO detector. CO poisoning is very subtle and can kill you.

As for running a heater and having a battery nearby...not a problem unless you're charging said battery. Lead-acid batteries do not outgas hydrogen as a general rule unless they are being charged or were recently charged.

I’m really concerned with the first question. The boat is a 1976 Mirage 24 which is basically a C&C 25 minus a foot. It has one house battery, which is stored under the port side lazerette. To keep the cabin warm this weekend, I wanted to use one of those Lil Buddy propane heaters. With the hatch cracked open it’s safe in terms of carbon monoxide but my concern is what about fumes from the battery?

Is it unsafe to run a propane heater with a battery in the same cabin? I’m thinking it should be okay, people cook in galleys on weekend cruisers that have several batteries inside the cabin but I’d like to see what those with more knowledge have to say.

[blueranger]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

An unvented heater is often a serious CO poisoning risk, even if you vent the cabin. Often venting the cabin lets out just as much heat as the heater creates, so the net gain is minimal. If you are going to do this, make sure you have installed a working CO detector. CO poisoning is very subtle and can kill you.

That was pretty much my experience. Most of the heat just escaped. Wasn't worth lugging the heater on board; the sleeping bags worked better. But the CO detector is an excellent idea, one's going in next trip to the boat.

My parent's friends lost their 2 sons due to CO poisoning. They were running a catalytic heater in a tent. Happens every year with campers somewhere. That lesson came close to home and bears repeating.

Thanks,
Mike

[sailingdog]

Mike-

Glad to help...