Calling All CD30 Owners with Propane..A Question

[Larry DeMers]

All CD30 Captains,

If you have mounted propane on your CD30, would you tell us where you installed the tanks, and what kind of container you put the tanks in..how the hoses were run, and what you think of this installation now? Anything you would change?

Thanks,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Apostle Islands of Lake Superior



demers@sgi.com

[Boyd]

I converted my MKII from CNG to Propane two years ago. There is a locker in the MKII origionally designed for CNG or propane. Unfortuantely the steel vertical 10# tanks that the origional design was based on are not readily available any more and the alum. version is a couple of inches taller. I went with a 10# Alum. horizontal. Put in all new piping and sent the stove back to the factory for conversion. I am generally satisfied with the installation. I would have liked to had 20# of propane but the tank would just not fit. The stove takes a long time to light after the propane has been shut off at the tank. There is lots of wasted room in the propane locker that I am trying to find a use for. Considering storing the dingy gas can in there but have seen warnings about that. Dont know why the two should not be together. I ran the hoses around the stern though the port cockpit locker behind the refrigerator. There was already a clear hose in place which had been used as a conduit for the old lines. I just reused it. I installed all new hoses, valve,vapor tite fittings etc. After I got the whole thing together I discovered that the propane locker is not sealed to the deck at the top. Dont know what I can do about that. The spot is inaccessable.

Hope this answers your questions.. Boyd

All CD30 Captains,

If you have mounted propane on your CD30, would you tell us where you installed the tanks, and what kind of container you put the tanks in..how the hoses were run, and what you think of this installation now? Anything you would change?

Thanks,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Apostle Islands of Lake Superior

Tern30@aol.com

[len]

boyd

i still have CNG on my boat and haven't had any problems with it - ? what made you decide to convert to propane

len
Sea Lion
CD31
Hingham, MA



md.frel@nwh.org

[Michael]

All CD30 Captains,

I have hull 247, 1982. I have an exterior container mounted on the stern rail, with hose through the air vent, and engine compartment, to the stove. The arrangement works well, although my gas man locally indicates my tanks need to be retro-fitted to be filled in the future. They are the tall, twenty? gal. type aluminum.
Michael
SV Moonbow

If you have mounted propane on your CD30, would you tell us where you installed the tanks, and what kind of container you put the tanks in..how the hoses were run, and what you think of this installation now? Anything you would change?

Thanks,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Apostle Islands of Lake Superior

mkelsey@kelseysasyoulikeit.com

[Boyd]

After a long and frustrating search both in Charleston (where I bought the boat) and in Fort Lauderdale/Miami I concluded that CNG is just not available. After not being able to find CNG at the boating capital of the world I gave up and converted. I have heard that CNG is not available outside the US either.

Boyd

boyd

i still have CNG on my boat and haven't had any problems with it - ? what made you decide to convert to propane

len
Sea Lion
CD31
Hingham, MA

Tern30@aol.com

[John R.]

I agree with len, stick with the CNG, safer, less installation hassles. Availability is certainly not as prevalent as propane but it is available. The 30 is small enough, where in the world would a person build a decent contained and vented propane locker in a CD30? The deck option is available but this may not be too attractive.

Propane would not be my choice.

boyd

i still have CNG on my boat and haven't had any problems with it - ? what made you decide to convert to propane

len
Sea Lion
CD31
Hingham, MA

[len]

boyd

i thought that might be the reason - i've only found one supplier in this area, they seem likely to be in business indefinitely - i think you are also correct that CNG is unavailable outside the USA - i have read that europe uses butane mainly

len



md.frel@nwh.org

[Richard Feffer]

Boyd,
I have CD30MKII #21 (1988). Two 10# aluminum tanks fit in a locker on the starboard aft quarter. I wonder what hull # you have and year built. I'm certain this was not a refit by any of the previous owners.

Richard Feffer
s/v Adamarie
CD30MKII
Stamford, Ct.



RichFef@Prodigy.net

[Larry Austin]

,,,My MKII has a space for 2 propane tanks in a starboard side vented locker. I have "one" 10 lb aluminum tank WM model 196092 in there now. The bottom of the locker has 2 round indentations for the bottom of the tanks to set in. They are held in place with 2 leather straps.

The sole purpose of the tank is for the stern BBQ. I don't need to carry around those disposable cylinders,,,

Larry Austin
CD30MKII
LAYLA



laustin@us.ibm.com

[Carl Jones]

All CD30 Captains,

If you have mounted propane on your CD30, would you tell us where you installed the tanks, and what kind of container you put the tanks in..how the hoses were run, and what you think of this installation now? Anything you would change?

Thanks,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Apostle Islands of Lake Superior

Larry,

I have a 6lb. propane tank connected to my stove. However, I have it connected directly from the regulator to the stove. I did not install a solenoid valve. I don't know if this is legal or not, but I disagree with the wisdom of having a solenoid valve in the system to shut off your tank. I have many years of experience as a chemical pilot plant operator and have seen a lot of solenoid controlled valves. Like anything else, they can leak, or fail to open or close. I think they lend a false sense of security, especially if you only shut off the solenoid valve when finished cooking and leave the tank valve open, which is the practice that usually happens when they are in the system. I am very concerned about propane leaks below deck and the potential hazard they present.

My system has a hose connected directly from the regulator (which is next to the tank at the stern pulpit, above deck) to the stove. This is a single run with no other connections except the stove. My practice is to turn the tank off when finished cooking and allow the flame to burn out, then turn the stove off. The tank is never left on except when cooking. I feel this is the safest way to operate.

I saw a very clever way to store your propane tank this weekend on Michael Bond's CD30 Ketch. I don't want to steal his thunder, but I see he hasn't responded yet. He bolted a rail mount for a Magma charcoal BBQ pit to the shroud around the top of his tanks (6lb). These rail mounts can be purchased separately. He then attached the propane tanks to the top rail at each corner of the stern pulpit. Then he built a pocket into his lee cloths which are extended aft around the corner of the pulpit and slid the tanks into them. He also crafted a canvas cap made of the same material to cover the top of the tanks. You don't even know they are there!! It is the best thing I've ever seen. My hat is off to you Mike! He has made many other improvements to his boat and perhaps he will share those with us some time in the future. We belong to the newly formed Gulf Coast chapter of the CDSOA and were touring each other's boats this weekend. Hope this gives you some good ideas and food for thought. Maybe we can get Mike to post some pictures.

Good Luck,
Carl Jones
Spanish Eyes, CD30
Gulf Coast Fleet
Clear Lake, Texas



GreatCells@aol.com

[Boyd]

Hi Richard..

I have hull #1 and I measured and remeasured that space. I found that the distance from the depressions to the top of the locker was exactly correct for steel tanks but about an inch short for aluminum tanks. Frustrated the heck out of me for a while. CD may have made a change here. Is the locker sealed at the top under the reversing block on yours. Mine is open providing access for the mounting bolts and nuts. I havent figured out how to seal it. The only solace here is propane is heavier than air and a leak would go out the vent in the bottom of the locker.

Boyd

Boyd,
I have CD30MKII #21 (1988). Two 10# aluminum tanks fit in a locker on the starboard aft quarter. I wonder what hull # you have and year built. I'm certain this was not a refit by any of the previous owners.

Richard Feffer
s/v Adamarie
CD30MKII
Stamford, Ct.

Tern30@aol.com

[Olli Wendelin]

Larry

On BLUE MOON I built a box out of redwood and attached it outboard of the stern rail. I have an aluminum tank, regulator, and solenoid valve installed in the box. The hose and wires run out of the box, through bulkhead fittings on the aft deck, and through the port cockpit locker to the stove. The hose is protected by plastic tubing and rigging tape for the short run topside.

The solenoid is wired to a control panel in the galley and to a gas detector. I secure the gas by shutting the tank valve and letting the remaining gas burn off. The solenoid valve is only for emergency shutoff by the gas detector.

The only thing I would change is to ensure that steel bottles will also fit in the box.

Olli Wendelin
BLUE MOON
Charleston, SC
ICW Mile 471.5



wendelin@spawar.navy.mil

[Larry DeMers]

Boy, I would like to see those pictures too. It seems like all you guys have mounted the tanks exterior to the boat, on the stern rail. I was considering the possibility of using an area under the helmsman seat (yet to be built-thought I would get to it this winter, but nope..no way now). That area could be sequestored from the cockpit using standard glass and resin on plywood and then given an overboard discharge for the locker. Seems that it might work, but I was concerned about the weight in the stern like that. Of course, on the rail is even worse for weight in the ends..but hey , if you have no place else, what do you do?
Another idea is a box for a horizontal tank under the end of the staysail boom. I came to a deadend when I could not figure a good way to gracefully, and safely drop the propane hose down into the boat without it being exposed to UV or sight, and be totally water/gas tight. Anyone have any ideas on this approach? (I am trying hard to keep that weight forward of the keel for balance purposes).

Thanks all for some great descriptions and solutions to this installation. I appreciate your ideas.

Cheers,

Larry DeMers ~~~Just turned 56 and feeling it!~~ugh
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Sailing [soon] the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior -soon as we rid ourselves of this newest 12in. snowfall!

All CD30 Captains,

If you have mounted propane on your CD30, would you tell us where you installed the tanks, and what kind of container you put the tanks in..how the hoses were run, and what you think of this installation now? Anything you would change?

Thanks,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Apostle Islands of Lake Superior

Larry,

I have a 6lb. propane tank connected to my stove. However, I have it connected directly from the regulator to the stove. I did not install a solenoid valve. I don't know if this is legal or not, but I disagree with the wisdom of having a solenoid valve in the system to shut off your tank. I have many years of experience as a chemical pilot plant operator and have seen a lot of solenoid controlled valves. Like anything else, they can leak, or fail to open or close. I think they lend a false sense of security, especially if you only shut off the solenoid valve when finished cooking and leave the tank valve open, which is the practice that usually happens when they are in the system. I am very concerned about propane leaks below deck and the potential hazard they present.

My system has a hose connected directly from the regulator (which is next to the tank at the stern pulpit, above deck) to the stove. This is a single run with no other connections except the stove. My practice is to turn the tank off when finished cooking and allow the flame to burn out, then turn the stove off. The tank is never left on except when cooking. I feel this is the safest way to operate.

I saw a very clever way to store your propane tank this weekend on Michael Bond's CD30 Ketch. I don't want to steal his thunder, but I see he hasn't responded yet. He bolted a rail mount for a Magma charcoal BBQ pit to the shroud around the top of his tanks (6lb). These rail mounts can be purchased separately. He then attached the propane tanks to the top rail at each corner of the stern pulpit. Then he built a pocket into his lee cloths which are extended aft around the corner of the pulpit and slid the tanks into them. He also crafted a canvas cap made of the same material to cover the top of the tanks. You don't even know they are there!! It is the best thing I've ever seen. My hat is off to you Mike! He has made many other improvements to his boat and perhaps he will share those with us some time in the future. We belong to the newly formed Gulf Coast chapter of the CDSOA and were touring each other's boats this weekend. Hope this gives you some good ideas and food for thought. Maybe we can get Mike to post some pictures.

Good Luck,
Carl Jones
Spanish Eyes, CD30
Gulf Coast Fleet
Clear Lake, Texas

demers@sgi.com