Our Propane Locker

This post is about storing propane.  It seems a bit mundane but it's really important.

Propane can be very dangerous on a boat. Why? Because propane is heavier than air.  If there is a leak, it will settle at the lowest point that it can, and this could be the bottom of the bilge.  If there is a spark or flame, then it can cause a fire.  And fire is one of the absolute worst things that can happen to your boat.

That is why the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) has specific regulations to ensure the propane is stored safely.  They say that your propane locker should ....

• have an air tight lid
• be dedicated only for propane and fuel storage
• have a bottom drain so any leaking gas will drain OUTSIDE of the boat.

'Seems pretty smart to me.

So this week, CAI cut and installed the floor of our propane locker.  It is located at the very back, in the last locker on the boat.

Once he installed the floor of the locker he filled the gaps between the floor and the hull with expandable foam.  The excess foam has to be trimmed away.  You need to achieve a smooth, curved shape so that you can fiberglass over the seam.  This makes the locker rigid and secure.

This kind of trimming task is a common task on AtLast. We have used various tools.  This week CAI tried using hole saw.  He said it worked great!

CAI peaks out from inside our propane locker.

Trimming in action: