[C38] propane and vang

[Scott and Ann]

When we bought Tacita II, we didn't trust the propane installation in 
the port side cockpit locker. We installed two 6# narrow, vertical 
bottles in a sturdy, white plastic housing that hangs outside the port 
side stern rail. It's not much larger than the LifeSling on the opposite 
side. The top has hinged clamps, making it easy to check the tanks and 
turn the valves on and off. Any leak or excess expansion flows over the 
side. We've never had a problem with lines fouling, and there's enough 
room in the housing to store a small propane can to feed the barbecue, 
if we had a barbecue.
Scott
Tacita II, #224

Glen Robinson wrote:

> For years we sailed with a large ice chest in the stern, which doubled 
> as a helm seat.  When we decided to convert to LPG prior to our cruise 
> to Mexico, I considered several thousand (it seems) unacceptable 
> approaches for an internal propane locker. 
> Finally, at JoAnn's suggestion, I replaced the ice chest 
> with 2 aluminum horizontal LPG tanks bolted (with wingnuts for easy 
> refilling) atop the lid of the stern locker, hose connections toward 
> the center with a lightweight, plywood/fiberglass quick-remove bench 
> fabricated to fit atop the tanks.  JoAnn sewed canvas covers, snapped 
> to the front and top rear areas, completely concealing the 
> installation, but effectively leaving it "outside".  The pressure 
> regulator, solenoid valve and BBQ tee are located behind the tanks and 
> connected to the cylinders by a flexible hose, allowing easy change 
> from the empty tank to the full one.
> With the bench removed, the lid still will hinge upward, providing 
> locker access.  All is out in the fresh air, and any LPG leak into the 
> cockpit is intended to go overboard through the drains.  We installed 
> an LPG control system with detectors in the stern locker, immediately 
> below the tanks; and another near the cabin sole by the engine access 
> door (moved to this location after its predecessor, installed in the 
> bilge, flooded, and became inoperable).  Both are tested regularly.  A 
> large, bright, red LCD in the elect panel warns whenever the solenoid 
> is "ON".
> I understand that such an approach may concern some, but in 10 years 
> and several thousand miles we have had only one problem:  About a year 
> ago our stern locker LPG sniffer detected gas in the boat, activated 
> the alarm and and shut down the solenoid.  An inspection disclosed a 
> leak in the flex hose fitting and a torn area in the locker gasket.  
> The gasket was replaced with one much larger in all dimensions, and 
> tested to assure no further leak from above.  The hose was replaced 
> and we now now carry a spare.
> glen&JoAnn
> SnowBird
> P.S. Have a Garhauer hard vang, installed in '97.  Love it!
>
> */Philip Gay <eyriepg at msn.com>/* wrote:
>
>     I have seen some installations but was never quite happy with the
>     locker drain mechanism.  The lower drain needs to be above water
>     lever and there is not much difference in elevation between the
>     cockpit seats and the waterline.
>      
>     I took the easy way out and mounted my 10 lb tank in a large hefty
>     fender holder, mounted off the back of the cockpit rail.  I used
>     an aluminum tank and dressed it up with a sunbrella cover.  I use
>     a solenoid to shut off propane flow into the boat when the stove
>     is not in use.  I hated to hang anything off the stern as narrow
>     as it is, but I never worry about propane settling into the cabin.
>      
>     Phil Gay
>     C38 049 Que Linda
>     Everett, WA
>
>         ----- Original Message -----
>         *From:* John Erlandson <mailto:jserlandson at adelphia.net>
>         *To:* Catalina 38 Listserve <mailto:Listserve at catalina38.org>
>         *Sent:* Sunday, January 15, 2006 11:33 AM
>         *Subject:* [C38] propane and vang
>
>         Any good propane locker souloutions out there? I would like to
>         use one of the Seaward locker kits any body tried one? Also I
>         want to install a rigid Garhauer vang but the boom twists any
>         ideas?
>         Thanks,
>         John-
>         C38 #291
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