Propane tank or tanks on the stern

urbanfood · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

i'm in the process of purchasing a 77 newport 30 and it has a force 10 two burner/broiler propane stove. right now the previous owner just had the coleman bottles underneath. i'm going to be livingaboard and do not want the propane in the cabin.

i've been spending time researching lockers and i don't think that is for me. i think it easiest and safest and least expensive to attach to stern rail.

so my question is, would this setup work, it's a 6# propane tank and how long would that tank last? is one tank enough? i won't be using it for cabin heat (atleast not yet).

would you recommend installing two mounts and two tanks?

here' the mount;

Torrid: Rail Mount for Propane Tanks

secondly, here's the 6# worthington tank and there is a price difference, does one of them come with something the other doesnt?

Sure Marine Service, Inc. * Since 1972 * Marine Heating, Air Conditioning, and Galley Equipment

Worthington - Aluminum Refillable Propane Tank

thanks, david

mitiempo · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

6 lbs is not much. Besides when you run out during dinner it is convenient to have a 2nd tank to switch to.
I line aboard and have 2 10 lb composite tanks like these SEAWARD COMPOSITE PROPANE TANK 10LB (LC-10) Binnacle.com
They don't corrode, are as light as the aluminum tanks, and allow you to see how full they are. List to list price a lot less than the aluminum tanks. I paid about $130 for the tank I purchased most recently.
A 10 lb tank lasts me about 3 or 4 weeks but I cook a lot. If I had room I would have 2 20lb tanks.
Make sure you have a propane sniffer as well.

JimsCAL · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

Looks like the same tank to me. Just that one is a better deal.

Are you going to have the regulator, solenoid valve etc. hanging off the tank on the sternrail? I would prefer to have all that stuff in a locker. But you definitely need to get those tanks out of the boat. And one 6# tank is not enough for a liveaboard.

urbanfood · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

mitiempo,

i like that tank and found here in the states http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|406|301237|322407&id=1038007

nice price too.

how do you mount it? there doesn't seem to be a mounting bracket for the stern which is really what i need. i have an atomic gas engine so mounting the tanks in the lazarette or port underneath the cockpit is not an option. they really need to be mounted at the stern.

mitiempo · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

One solution I have seen is to use a stainless fender holder mounted on the rail. A sunbrella cover protects the tank, regulator, and solenoid.
Or the mount type you linked to should work. They have a lip to hold the bottom of the tank and a strap around it.

urbanfood · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

thanks brian,

i think i'm going to go with 2 of the 6lb tanks with the a mount for each one. i like the lower profile of the tanks and if it gives me 3-4 weeks of propane (12# of propane), i'll be good. i plan on cooking alot as well.

i suppose i could have covers made for each one.

thanks, david

mitiempo · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

Or you could mount them together and have a single cover made.

lickingcardboard · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

I have been thinking about this for my trailer sail i have a Butane Cooktop i used on the road in my truck for all my cooking, and will carry this into the boat as well, but i am really looking into this for the boat. I like the Vertical Composite LP Gas Tank tank here and seeing as it will feed just a 2 burner cook top at the most should be more them enough for a solo sailer.

Now to start designing the system to keep the regulator and the tank on the stern rail. thanks for all the input from this and other threads here on SailNet.

mitiempo · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

livkingcardboard
Who says it will only feed a 2 burner cooktop? The valve is the same on any size tank, as is the pressure both before and after the regulator. The tank you linked to is ths same as the 2 I have. Feeds a 3 burner with oven and a rail mounted BBQ.

But you will need a new stove. Your butane cooktop is not designed for propane which burns hotter. The reverse works though - butane into a propane stove.

dwentworth · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2011

I am cruising (presently in Bora Bora) and have two fifteen pound bottles mounted at the stern rail. My propane bottles presently contain butane which is working fine in my Force 10 except for a little blackening of my cookware. I find two bottles work well. When one empties I switch to the other and fill the empty as soon as possible.