[barefootnavigator]

This is interesting Propane is not now, nor has it ever been unsafe on boats. People are unsafe and do stupid things every day. Maintain your stuff and it will serve you.

 

[barefootnavigator]

On my Allegra 24 I had no sniffer and no cylinoid. I plumbed it myself so I knew it was good. I had one continues fuel line from stern mounted tank to oven. When I wanted to cook I turned it on half turn open. When I was done cooking I shut it off and let fuel burn out of line. These are very low pressure systems and 100% infallible when done correctly.

 

[barefootnavigator]

How would you get a leak in the line?

 

[barefootnavigator]

First off lets look at safety. You have a better chance of dying from brushing your teeth "fluoride" or dying in your car "read statistics" than you do from being blown up from a properly maintained system. If you are not comfortable with any fuel definitely don't use it. Life is too short to live it having doubts about the safety of your boat. I'm not a fan of anything electric on a boat but thats just me. Kill those batteries and you don't get your mooring coffee, half way to Hawaii and this could cause a mutiny. Once you leave the states you will not find alcohol as Hess commented or CNG, you will however find propane in the most BFE places on the planet and its cheap. I housed my entire line in PVC tubing to protect it from me being an idiot at the throwing my knive collection... at it. I plumbed it fasted to the underside of my deck so it was as safe and out of the way as possible. If the tank valve fails, It can happen. You still have the stove valve. Blow through a straw and you will create 100 times more pressure that is coming through the regulator, very low pressure system. It stinks to holy heaven, I can't imagine how anyone could miss a leak. One last note just because you get a leak doesn't mean your boat will blow up. You have to be an extra special type of moron to blow your boat up with propane.

 

[barefootnavigator]

BJ I'm currently using this system as I rebuild my galley and they are great but also VERY dangerous and have a history of blowing to high hell. We have a ten minute max before we enter the danger zone. That being said when we took a knock down this summer "captains fault" we taco'd the stove, our second lost stove to date "captain needs to install reef lines" and it was about 24 bucks to replace. Finding fuel can be a challenge. I would guess I have used these about 1500 meals to date and love it minus fear of early entrance to heaven

 

[barefootnavigator]

I should ad that I cruised the west coast for three years in my Flicka using a double burner non pressurized alcohol stove with zero complaints other than finding fuel. Not trying to say propane is best choice, just not a bad one.

 

[barefootnavigator]

I'm a bonehead and it was safe for me. I found a rack online to store small tank on stern rail, very simple.

 

[barefootnavigator]

you are talking about butane?

Yes, the stove can overheat and bottle is 1 inch from flame.

 

[barefootnavigator]

You can always use wood

 

[barefootnavigator]

How do you get a leak in ANY line? There are many way.

In the example discussed, a rat gnawed on it.

If you have rats on your boat propane is the least of your problems. I guess a plane could crash into your boat that may sever the line.

 

[barefootnavigator]

It's a boat --- things break, wear through, jiggle loose, etc.

Thats what we call a complete and total lack of routine maintenance.

 

[barefootnavigator]

Did his boat explode?

 

[barefootnavigator]

Now that you know let me give you a little free advice that will save your life. Maintain your boat and it will maintain your life and lifestyle. How easy is that???

 

[barefootnavigator]

(It was more her boat than his, actually. Anyway.)

No, it did not explode.

And your point is? I don't even know what stove they had on the boat (they have since moved). Let us assume it was indeed gas.

Then you have clearly shown that there is ONE boat with an LPG system that did NOT immediately blow up. Even though it was certainly possible, just as the boat that exploded this week because of the rat bite.

I would feel so much better know if I had a gas system.

Let me take a minute and explain how a properly used and maintained propane system works very simply. There is a shut off at the tank it should be shut off IE NO FUEL IN LINE OR BOAT. RTFM

 

[barefootnavigator]

I might have a 500 budget but at least I can turn a stove on...

 

[barefootnavigator]

And if the valve seal(s) fail, or you get distracted and simply forget, or if the flame gets blown out, etc.???

Let ME take a minute and explain to you how alcohol stoves work --- they CANNOT produce explosive gases (I.E., NO POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE FUMES IN THE BILGE, OR ON THE BOAT IN GENERAL; NONE, ZERO, NADDA, ZIP, ZILCH). Propane, on the other hand IS an explosion risk, RTFM*.

(* - From the manual for a Dickinson propane unit: "LPG is heavier than air and if allowed will settle in lower areas resulting in a potential explosion.")

What if a rat eats through your storage bottle and you accidentally point your lit blow torch it the hole where alcohol is leaking out.

 

[barefootnavigator]

As I said earlier, no fuel is absolutely safe. Propane is inherently more risky than alcohol. No amount of valves, sniffers, and assorted safety gizmos will ever change that simple fact. If you feel propane is worth the risk, fine, feel free. It's your life. But I will also feel free to tell folks the facts. If I'm wrong, I take a minute or two longer to cook my lunch. If you're wrong, BOOM! You make your choice, I'll make mine.

End of discussion, as far as I'm concerned.

The problem with coming into the middle of a thread like this is you miss all the previous posts like where I gave a very specific positive example of years of use with a a non pressurized alcohol stove, they are great. Propane stoves are also great and safe as is kerosene when used properly.

 

[barefootnavigator]

one gallon goes 12 hours give or take.

 

[barefootnavigator]

LED cabin lights is what i am going to be using. bright. long lasting. not hot. not a big energy drain. it's a win/win option.

Its proven fact that LED causes brain cancer, Sorry

 

[barefootnavigator]

so do cell phones. we're already all screwed, in that department.

Not me, I shut my cell phone off two years ago. But then there is wifi Dman!