A surveyor of my insurance company made quite a serious comment about the propane-installation installed on our SILER - the long hose between the propane-locker and the stove is not allowed as its lenght is much more than the legally allowed 1-meter. My argument that the hose is well protected in a GRP-pipe didn't impress. The surveyor commented that this should even never have been delivered like this as it is not meeting CE-certification requirements. (This said even after 18-years after delivery.... :-) )
How is this arranged and dealth with on the rest of the fleet ?? Did some of you get similar comments??
On my "to-do-list" for this winter-season I had anyhow already noted to renew all the propane-hoses and replacement partly by a required copper-piping instead of a hose shouldn't be a big deal. However, it was already quite a big challenge to remove this long hose as it looked that the pipe was not continues and it felt like "blocked" by PUR-foam and it turned out that fitting a thinner 8mm copper-pipe in this tube was even a much bigger challenge.
Durk Nijdam
S/V "SILER"
Catalina 36MKII - 2001 / hullnr. 2013
Stavoren - Holland
I don't know about european regulations but as far as I can remember propane rated rubber hoses are required. But there can be only one connection. So if you have 2 appliances say a stove and a heater the 'T' from the propane tank must be in the vented propane locker.
I seem to recall copper tubing was frowned upon due to it's nasty habit of getting brittle due to engine vibration.
Henk Hiensch
Mar Y Sol
1984 Catalina 36
Hull# 379 Universal M25
Ladysmith, BC
Hello Siler,
I understand the logic of placing the T in the locker but would it make more sense to have the T located at the stove inlet. Since there is a connection there anyway the risk would be the same, also running only one gas line compared to running 2 lines from the stern to galley area seems less risky.
Ed Dewsnap
Marion, Ma.
Ed Dewsnap
Marion, MA
1984 Catalina
Durk;
You might want to ask the surveyor; What was the ABYC regulation regarding the allowable the length of propane hose in place in 2000 when the boat built ? While it is possible that the boat does not meet current European regulation, the boat was built to regulations in place at the time of building (manufacture) in 2000.
If the hose 20 years old, it's a good idea to replace it anyway. Different countries have different regulations regarding propane hose lengths. Here in the States the regulations on propane heaters can vary widely from state to state. Most likely a good local plumber will be able to help.
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
Bill,
I know that regulations for gas-installations in Europe are quite strict already for a long time and I wouldn't be surprised that these rules were also applicable and part of meeting the CE-regulations, which is obligatory for yard delivered pleasure crafts.
In meantime I replaced the long hose already for a seemless copper-pipe but this was quite a tough job as the pipe where the hose was running though turned out to be not a smooth run and also not reachable.
Now to finalize the upgrade of the propane gas-installation and have it certified so that my insurance is covered.
Durk Nijdam
S/V "SILER"
Catalina 36MKII - 2001 / hullnr. 2013
Stavoren - Holland