Food, fixes and notes from the casual coastal sailor.

[Kris Cringle]

Still moving at the speed of winter with boat work. I ran my new propane line yesterday. I decided to go with a SS encased hose thinking it would be better protected from chafe.

Mostly this was a yoga session. I found a good chase below the cleat that mounts one of the two panels in the cockpit lockers. The trick is having all the tools in there with you. Getting in and out is the work.

1960 solid glass deck core sample. 1/2", just enough thread on the thru fitting to clamp it down, watertight. This oversized 3" hole in the deck box plus the one around the removed CNG vent will vent the deck box (which is raised on cleats, about an inch above the deck).

The last bits are the two 5 pound LPG tanks. Plenty of room for the circumference but the height could too much which will require a new top.

Does anybody have a 5lb LPG tank to know an exact height measurement(I'm running 12.38-12.8" on online specs; crucial as I have a 'scant' 12 3/8" in the box)

 

[accnick]

Still moving at the speed of winter with boat work. I ran my new propane line yesterday. I decided to go with a SS encased hose thinking it would be better protected from chafe.

Mostly this was a yoga session. I found a good chase below the cleat that mounts one of the two panels in the cockpit lockers. The trick is having all the tools in there with you. Getting in and out is the work.

View attachment 574559


1960 solid glass deck core sample. 1/2", just enough thread on the thru fitting to clamp it down, watertight. This oversized 3" hole in the deck box plus the one around the removed CNG vent will vent the deck box (which is raised on cleats, about an inch above the deck).

View attachment 574560

The last bits are the two 5 pound LPG tanks. Plenty of room for the circumference but the height could too much which will require a new top.

Does anybody have a 5lb LPG tank to know an exact height measurement(I'm running 12.38-12.8" on online specs; crucial as I have a 'scant' 12 3/8" in the box)

What is the top configuration of the propane box?
Depending on how it is made, you can sometimes put on a thicker top gasket or build it up the top with a shim if you need a bit of extra height. If it is a wood top, you might even rout out circles in the inside of the top to accommodate the top ring of the tanks.

The exact measurements of the tank might vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, as the foot ring and top ring will determine those last little bits of height.

My rule of thumb is that I don't build anything where dimensions are critical until I have the component that is going into it.

 

[Jim in Halifax]

My rule of thumb is that I don't build anything where dimensions are critical until I have the component that is going into it.

I think Kris wrote somewhere in this thread that he is using an existing deck box?

 

[Kris Cringle]

What is the top configuration of the propane box?
Depending on how it is made, you can sometimes put on a thicker top gasket or build it up the top with a shim if you need a bit of extra height. If it is a wood top, you might even rout out circles in the inside of the top to accommodate the top ring of the tanks.

The exact measurements of the tank might vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, as the foot ring and top ring will determine those last little bits of height.

My rule of thumb is that I don't build anything where dimensions are critical until I have the component that is going into it.

The carcass is solid mahogany planks dovetailed together. It has a rabbeted male lip to receive the top.

The top is actually a piece of mahogany plywood which I finally sanded through the face veneer a few years ago. If that tanks fit, I'd likely put a wood and caulk deck on top (it's flat and gets full on sun).

More likely, I'll need to build a new top with a bit more clearance. A bit tedious with dovetailed corners (these would be my first,..) but I would do the teak-deck top to cut maintenance. We use it to stand on, cook on (grill), etc, anyway.

There isn't a lot of room, the box just fits aft of the coaming and the lid just clears the backstay and rests against the mizzen when open. It's so handy.

 

[accnick]

The carcass is solid mahogany planks dovetailed together. It has a rabbeted male lip to receive the top.

The top is actually a piece of mahogany plywood which I finally sanded through the face veneer a few years ago. If that tanks fit, I'd likely put a wood and caulk deck on top (it's flat and gets full on sun).

More likely, I'll need to build a new top with a bit more clearance. A bit tedious with dovetailed corners (these would be my first,..) but I would do the teak-deck top to cut maintenance. We use it to stand on, cook on (grill), etc, anyway.

There isn't a lot of room, the box just fits aft of the coaming and the lid just clears the backstay and rests against the mizzen when open. It's so handy.

View attachment 574569

Teak overlay 3/8-1/2" thick to match existing cockpit teak details. Framed with mitered corners in plan view to match cockpit detail at aft ends, caulked seams for the main part of the overlay. If all you need is an additional 1/8" or so, rout out circles in the underside of the existing plywood top to accommodate tank top rings.

Of course, because you like to build nice things, you will make an entirely new top with dovetail frame corners......

But I'd wait until I had the tank in hand.

Which cylinders are you actually looking at? The Worthington 5-pound aluminum cylinders are taller than their 10-pound cylinders.

 

[slug zitski]

Still moving at the speed of winter with boat work. I ran my new propane line yesterday. I decided to go with a SS encased hose thinking it would be better protected from chafe.

Mostly this was a yoga session. I found a good chase below the cleat that mounts one of the two panels in the cockpit lockers. The trick is having all the tools in there with you. Getting in and out is the work.

View attachment 574559


1960 solid glass deck core sample. 1/2", just enough thread on the thru fitting to clamp it down, watertight. This oversized 3" hole in the deck box plus the one around the removed CNG vent will vent the deck box (which is raised on cleats, about an inch above the deck).

View attachment 574560

The last bits are the two 5 pound LPG tanks. Plenty of room for the circumference but the height could too much which will require a new top.

Does anybody have a 5lb LPG tank to know an exact height measurement(I'm running 12.38-12.8" on online specs; crucial as I have a 'scant' 12 3/8" in the box)

Perhaps investigate a horizontal propane tank before cutting wood

 

[Kris Cringle]

Of course, because you like to build nice things, you will make an entirely new top with dovetail frame corners......

But I'd wait until I had the tank in hand.

Which cylinders are you actually looking at? The Worthington 5-pound aluminum cylinders are taller than their 10-pound cylinders.

If I can do what you suggest, I have no desire to build another! But yes, tanks first.

I'm looking at 5 lb steel tanks. I have up to just a bit less tha 11" width and 12 5/16" height. Two of those will fit and leave another foot of storage(I could actually store 3 5 lb in there).

As slug suggests, I could get a horizontal 10 pound aluminum to fit. But only one. I prefer two tanks for the obvious filling one while another is onboard.

Plus the aluminum I found was around 450+, steel tanks are around 75.

 

[accnick]

If I can do what you suggest, I have no desire to build another! But yes, tanks first.

I'm looking at 5 lb steel tanks. I have up to just a bit less tha 11" width and 12 5/16" height. Two of those will fit and leave another foot of storage(I could actually store 3 5 lb in there).

As slug suggests, I could get a horizontal 10 pound aluminum to fit. But only one. I prefer two tanks for the obvious filling one while another is onboard.

Plus the aluminum I found was around 450+, steel tanks are around 75.

This looks like it would fit, but the website gives conflicting height measurements, and the manufacturer's website give set another set of dimensions that would be slightly too tall.
I didn't realize there were so many variations on these.

Until you have the cylinders in-hand, I'm not sure you can trust any of these dimensions. The problem with asking someone to measure what they have is that it may not be consistent with what is being manufactured by the same company right now.

5 lb (1.2 gallon) Manchester Propane Tank (usually arrives within 1-2 weeks)

Economical and portable camping style propane tank.

www.propanetankstore.com

 

[Jim in Halifax]

I'm looking at 5 lb steel tanks.

Maybe a coat of epoxy primer and a few coats of urethane? The manufacturer's paint on steel tanks doesn't make the grade...

 

[chester]

If I can do what you suggest, I have no desire to build another! But yes, tanks first.

I'm looking at 5 lb steel tanks. I have up to just a bit less tha 11" width and 12 5/16" height. Two of those will fit and leave another foot of storage(I could actually store 3 5 lb in there).

As slug suggests, I could get a horizontal 10 pound aluminum to fit. But only one. I prefer two tanks for the obvious filling one while another is onboard.

Plus the aluminum I found was around 450+, steel tanks are around 75.

a few years ago i bought a fiberglass bottle to replace that heavy 20 lb steel one in my truck camper. weight is important here and Chester spared no fucking expense in saving about 10 pounds!! Fuck. this tank is actually about 17 lbs of propane and the case is a bit taller so was pain to store in the locker. BUT, i can pry the very top of the handle ring off which shrunk it just enough!!! sucess, but remember to take that ring with you because the TARE and other stuff are on it and without looking at that, well refuelling attedants were just lost, lesson learned. Regardless of whether the ring is there, attendants are generally always confused when i present it for refueling. the composite tanks are so rare here that every goddamn guy needs to stare at it for about 10 minutes before they can assure themselves that they can hook it up and fill it. Oh, and they have a 5 year retest period and they can only recertified once. The pain of the price tag was such that i've forgotten off hand what it cost but the number $250cdn, is possible. But Chester identified an (non-exsistent) problem and didn't stop until it was solved!! Yay me.

 

[Kris Cringle]

So much for easy. I was working remotely from Hamilton Marine and found the Manchester 5lb. propane tanks in stock.

They are indeed 12.8 high (although they are listed as small as 12").

One other brand comes in at 12.38 or 12.8. I'll likely need to build a new lid. Nothing like building a vented locker!

Cut and re-set exhaust hose, tied wires, hose, I'm just about out of here:

Unrelated, have you seen this stuff; a primer and/or a plastic masking, depending upon what it is applied to.

On wood and paint, it adheres tenaciously. On glass, it doesn't fully dry. All the painters do once dry on the trim, is lift a piece of the 'mask' from the glass surface, and peel it off. No cutting around the edges, it comes off cleanly.

Clean crisp paint line where the glass meets wood.

Seems like cheating to me.

 

[accnick]

So much for easy. I was working remotely from Hamilton Marine and found the Manchester 5lb. propane tanks in stock.

They are indeed 12.8 high (although they are listed as small as 12").

View attachment 574817

One other brand comes in at 12.38 or 12.8. I'll likely need to build a new lid. Nothing like building a vented locker!

Cut and re-set exhaust hose, tied wires, hose, I'm just about out of here:

View attachment 574819


Unrelated, have you seen this stuff; a primer and/or a plastic masking, depending upon what it is applied to.

On wood and paint, it adheres tenaciously. On glass, it doesn't fully dry. All the painters do once dry on the trim, is lift a piece of the 'mask' from the glass surface, and peel it off. No cutting around the edges, it comes off cleanly.

Clean crisp paint line where the glass meets wood.

Seems like cheating to me.

View attachment 574821

Got a picture of a label, or a product name?

 

[Jim in Halifax]

They are indeed 12.8 high (although they are listed as small as 12").

Hate to quibble Kris, but that looks a hair under 12.75 ... parallax error in the photo?
Can you rout circles in the top or the bottom of the box (or both) to match the tanks? Might even keep them from rattling and clanging under motor or in a seaway.

 

[Kris Cringle]

True on the measurement but tank adverts seem to all use decimals instead of fractions, and round them off to the nearest 10th.

Anyway, you can't depend on their numbers. I'm afraid I'd have to plow out more than half of the material in each the top and bottom leaving it too weak.

 

[Veeger]

So much for easy. I was working remotely from Hamilton Marine and found the Manchester 5lb. propane tanks in stock.

They are indeed 12.8 high (although they are listed as small as 12").

View attachment 574817

One other brand comes in at 12.38 or 12.8. I'll likely need to build a new lid. Nothing like building a vented locker!

Cut and re-set exhaust hose, tied wires, hose, I'm just about out of here:

View attachment 574819


Unrelated, have you seen this stuff; a primer and/or a plastic masking, depending upon what it is applied to.

On wood and paint, it adheres tenaciously. On glass, it doesn't fully dry. All the painters do once dry on the trim, is lift a piece of the 'mask' from the glass surface, and peel it off. No cutting around the edges, it comes off cleanly.

Clean crisp paint line where the glass meets wood.

Seems like cheating to me.

View attachment 574821

Typical boat project - Mulitple trips to hardware/marine store, not 'quite' the right size screw/tool/space. Jury rigging experience required. So much for simple, eh?

 

[Fah Kiew Tu]

Typical boat project - Mulitple trips to hardware/marine store, not 'quite' the right size screw/tool/space. Jury rigging experience required. So much for simple, eh?

If I ever get away with less than 3 trips I wonder what I've overlooked...

FKT

 

[Veeger]

I've resigned myself that the minimum entry level for a boat 'job' is Two (2) trips to a vendor. This is most likely for a quick 'Ten Minute' job. They go up from here. I think my current record was 6 trips for a 'couple hour' job. But they all blur together in my mind and I usually try to forget and also try to lose the receipts.

It's a sanity preservation technique...

 

[Kris Cringle]

I took a chance and ordered Flame King tanks. Their description also says 12.8 high, and 12.4.

They arrived: 12.4!

They are 12 3/8" high and fit the height, exactly. My compact plumbing set up works perfectly. The old top will work. I could fit a 3rd tank in if I needed it(but I use this space for easy to get to stuff).

I stumbled on what could be a good thing for these: Filling 5 lb LPG tanks from 20 lb.

It looks straightforward enough so I ordered the hose and fittings.

This would make it so much easier for me than having to get the 5 lb tanks filled. I've got 2 or 3 of those 20-pound exchange tanks for various tasks(work and home), sitting around, full.

Has anybody done this? I suppose you could do it with 10 pound, too.

To think I've gone from arranging CNG fills from Mass. (closest vender) that are running $150-250 depending upon 5 year inspections, and several weeks waiting time, to filling in my back yard for next to nothing.

Another boat hassle slayed!

 

[Whinging Pom]

Kris, self-refilling should be OK as your cylinders have an overfill prevention device. For anyone else with basic cylinders a luggage scale is very useful to prevent filling above 80%. The expansion space is vital to prevent the possibility of liquid gas entering the low pressure side of the regulator. Cylinder pressure is 5-6 bar, the low pressure side 30mbar.

Be warned the process can take a long time, pouring hot water over the donor cylinder will help.

 

[Jim in Halifax]

Kris, what do you have for a BBQ - a gas grill? If so, you can refill those Coleman 1lb cylinders the same way. Or maybe tee your BBQ into your 5lb bottles. And if you still have a charcoal grill, I salute you.