Another gas fumes boat fire

[Knightgang]

Re: Another gas fumes boat fire

Keep right on feeling safe on your outboard. You may think that you don't have to worry about gas fumes .....

(Take a look at where the fuel tanks and wiring are ......)

From the NBS Sportfishing Board:



If there's a gas tank on board and you're not careful, it can blow up no matter what kind of motor you have.

I did say "RARE" with an outboard. I know that is not the only source of fire hazzard, but every I/O boat fire/explosion I have ready about has something to do with fumes in the engine bay and a malfunctioning blower motor...

 

[j_martin]

Re: Another gas fumes boat fire

There really ought to be a timer and a "safe to start" light on the blower circuit.
Boats are so primitive, especially considering the potential harm.

I'm thinking of installing a blower on my outboard bass boat. There's a big gas tank and a lot of electrical stuff in the same space.

just my 02
John

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Another gas fumes boat fire

Timer and "safe to start" would be too dangerous once you are away from the dock--see the discussion below about the fatal accident with a small boat drifting in the shipping channel.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Another gas fumes boat fire

Timer and "safe to start" would be too dangerous once you are away from the dock--see the discussion below about the fatal accident with a small boat drifting in the shipping channel.

Good thinkin'.

I'd set it up like a diesel pre-heater timer. It would fire up a "wait" light, for the period, or a "safe to start" light after the period, but allow a key start at any time. It would be criminal to not allow a quick start in an emergency.

John

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Another gas fumes boat fire

This is a good reality check to remind us all to smell for gas fumes all the time and use that blower motor everytime you start the boat, does not hurt to smell to see if gas fumes are coming out the blower motor. I try the open the motor housing every morning or at launch to smell and look for oil/antifreeze leaks, general inspection. what I do not do is use the blower motor if the boat has been shut off for an hour or so. This is a good reason to use the blower every time you start the boat. I plan to start using the blower everytime and smelling for gas fumes. When you are 20 miles from shore you do not want your boat to catch fire. I caught a leaky fuel pump when I was doing my precheck before starting the boat at the ramp my smelling and looking for leaks.
I wish I could afford it I would convert my boat to a diesel i/o in a hearbeat
Cummin/merc make many i/o combo's. I would get ride of my 140 merc 3.0 and put a 120 hp diesel (revs. to 4400 rpms).