When we start to think about what kind of fuel we will have aboard our boat, there are a great number of questions that must be answered. How will the boat be used, what kind of trips will be undertaken, what duration, what requirements will be placed on the cooking arrangements, what heating will be required, etc. There are a number of fuels you may choose from. This article is about propane and how to outfit your boat for convenience and safety.

Many people are concerned about using propane on their boat. There are lots of tales of explosions on board, fires, and general disruptions. All fuels carry some sort of hazard factor, some more then others. If you have a volatile fuel aboard, you have the possibility of an accident. That said, we will discuss the use of propane and how to avoid any unpleasantness.

OK, we have decided to use propane. Now how do we provide a safe, secure place to carry enough propane to be of use to us? On a Searunner 37, we might have a couple sail for the weekend, a crew of 4 or 5 for a weeks trip or maybe a family of 5 for an' extended cruise around the world. Can we accommodate all these different needs with one system? Yes we can.

The Searunner 37 has an area that is just perfect for the safe and secure storage of propane tanks. It is enclosed, vented to the outside, accessible, and close to its area of usage to eliminate long hose runs. This area is at the rear of the cabin, in the outboard corners, adjacent to the main strength bulkhead.

The galley of the 37 has two enormous cubby holes outboard of the main hull. These areas are accessible from the galley for the storage of plates, pots and pans, food, or what have you. One of the problems with these areas is the fact that they are so big, you can not comfortably reach the most forward section of these cubbies. They are up high and far out and if you have built a counter or have a stove in front of these cubbies, they become almost unusable. I suppose if you are 6 foot something, and have long arms, it is not a problem for you. On the other hand, I am 5 foot 6 inches, a little on the portly side and those areas are out of my reach.

If you look at picture #1, you will see the main strength bulkhead # 8, on the right, rough finished in white. The inside of the cabin sides facing you, wood grain epoxy coated, a divider wall placed vertical between the cabin roof and underwing curve (see gold arrow), and a divider shelf placed horizontal between bulkhead # 8 and the rear of the cabin top.

If you look closely, you may be able to see the large hole cut in the horizontal divider (see white arrow). This hole is exactly 1/2 inch larger than the diameter of a 30-pound aluminum propane tank. It is very hard to see, but there are also 4 holes in the corners of this divider about 3-inches in diameter. All these holes will ensure that if the propane tank valve vents propane into the locker, it will all fall to the bottom of the locker and be able to exit the boat. Since propane is heavier then air, any leaks in the valve or tank will be expelled under the boat and away from any source of ignition.

You will see a cleat on the bulkhead # 8, in the bottom of the locker. This is to provide a place to build a grid for the tank to rest on. The grid is made up of 1 by 2 slats, on edge with spacers, to provide a place for t he propane to get through if a leak should occur. In the very bottom of the locker, near bulkhead # 8 and the cabinside joint, a hole is cut to allow the propane to exit the locker. Another hole was placed near the junction of bulkhead # 8 and the main hull side. These holes are 2 inches in diameter and covered with a backward facing SS clam on the outside of the underwing.

Picture #1

Picture #2

Picture #2 is the same area with the interior galley wall attached (see gold arrow). There are two cutouts for plates, etc., but no access to the propane locker. This wall must be sealed completely. I used epoxy fillets on all the inside corners of the propane locker as well as on the inside of the boat. There is no way for propane to get from the locker to the inside of the boat. This is the sink side of the galley and there is no need for any hose connections. This is just a storage area for an extra tank.

A mirror image of this installation was made on the starboard side of the galley. A 3-burner stove, with oven, is installed in the counter top, level with the counter top. In this propane locker, there is a regulator and electrical solenoid installed. A propane hose leads from the regulator, through the top of the vertical divider, via gas tight compression fitting, down through the horizontal divider, through the facing wall to the stove fitting. Any venting of this tank will also be overboard.

On the wall, to the right of the stove, is a control panel that turns on the propane via the electrical solenoid. Under the stove and under the floor of the galley, are propane sniffers that are operated by the control panel. Any indication that there is a propane leak on board is immediately alarmed by a horn, light, and the solenoid valve is shut off. The horn shuts off after five minutes, but the light stays on to warn you if you were off the boat when the alarm went off.

Picture #3 shows the propane locker deck cutout.  You can see the cutout in the cabin top for the hatch (white arrow). You need access to this area to perform some of the building and sealing operations.

Picture #3

In picture #4, you can see the hatch installed (see gold arrow). Make sure you know the diameter of your propane tanks before you buy your hatch. These hatches are only ½ inch wider, but that allows for easy installation of the tanks.

I feel very secure in the fact that my design for my propane lockers has provided me with the safety and security I require to have propane onboard my boat.

The above modifications are not official Searunner modifications but my designs for my boat. If you would like to use these ideas, please contact Jim Brown or John Marples regarding any safety or structural issues.

Picture #4

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