Gas Locker set-up, Sadler 25

[greggron]

Does anyone have /know of a good/suitable gas locker set up on a Sadler 25. On mine as inherited, essentially there isn't one. A situation I am uncomfortable with. She's insured 3rd party only, if that makes a difference.

As ever, any help gratefully received.

 

[Neil]

Mine's in the inside locker next to the sink, so the gas only goes on when the cooker is about to be lit. Not sure where else I could put it, TBH.

 

[greggron]

Thanks - so is there no unimpeded flow of a possible leaked gas out of the hull?

 

[pvb]

Can't you build a drained gas locker into the locker at the aft end of the cockpit? All you need is a fairly simple box. Or you could buy a commercially-made gas locker and fit that in, something like these: http://www.caktanks.com/wd1300.htm

 

[VicS]

Or build in a locker based on one of these http://www.socal.co.uk/toolbox/gasboat/locker-boxes.html

Read the section on gas bottle lockers in Part 7 of the boat safety scheme.

The BSS is process of being revised and the new version is not yet available but the archived "old edition" can be found at http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/media/180428/bss guide 2005 complete web.pdf

 

[pvb]

The BSS is process of being revised and the new version is not yet available but the archived "old edition" can be found at http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/media/180428/bss guide 2005 complete web.pdf

The 2013 standards are online at http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/media/194782/2013ecp_private _boats_ed3_public_final.pdf

 

[lw395]

The BSS is written by bureaucrats.
They hang on to the quaint idea that all of the leaking gas will flow neatly downward into a small, restrictive drain, possibly against the pressure of the wind...
It won't, it is a gas.
If you want to be safe, rather than just having a bit of paper, you need to ensure the locker is sealed/separate from the interior of the boat.
You don't need a big fraction of the contents of a cylinder to make a big bang.
I would go for the sealed sort, set into the deck, with a decent drain overboard.

 

[webcraft]

.
A friend made one for us on Fairwinds (, so similar size) by using a bucket as a mould and making a GRP locker moulded to the underside of one of the aft corners of the cockpit - there was just room between the lazarette and port cockpit locker lids. The locker drains overboard via a fitting moulded in at construction. The lid is a waterproof inspection hatch flush with the deck (see below)

The locker is only big enough for camping gaz.

- W

 

[VicS]

The BSS is written by bureaucrats.
They hang on to the quaint idea that all of the leaking gas will flow neatly downward into a small, restrictive drain, possibly against the pressure of the wind...
It won't, it is a gas.
If you want to be safe, rather than just having a bit of paper, you need to ensure the locker is sealed/separate from the interior of the boat.
You don't need a big fraction of the contents of a cylinder to make a big bang.
I would go for the sealed sort, set into the deck, with a decent drain overboard.

So rather than refer to the BSS what do you recommend as guidance for anyone wanting to fit a gas locker and install a sound, safe gas system.


BTw I think, if you read it, you will find that the BSS does require a gas locker which is "sealed/separate" from the interior of the boat.

 

[michael_w]

How about hanging the gas cylinder on the pushpit? I did this so I could use Calor cylinders. My puny gas locker can only take Camping Gaz; I teed off within the locker and ran a new length up to the pushpit. An isolating valve and a rope harness completed the job.

 

[greggron]

Thanks for all the suggestions. As you can imagine, space is a premium but some sort of locker would be preferred over hanging on the pushpit. It looks like the only really practical solution that complies with BSS is to get the cheque book out again and part with many £££s.

It would be great to hear more from other S25 owners and what set up they have.

 

[Bilgediver]

So rather than refer to the BSS what do you recommend as guidance for anyone wanting to fit a gas locker and install a sound, safe gas system.


BTw I think, if you read it, you will find that the BSS does require a gas locker which is "sealed/separate" from the interior of the boat.

Actually Vic the words in the BSS say the locker should be sealed to a level with the top of the cylinder valve or to the level of the top of any HP fittings if higher.

These words seem to be interpreted differently by many IE one our local surveyor asks for the locker to be totally sealed. Other Yacht surveyors request a clipped lid with / without seals. However BSS suggests unsealed above the cylinders is OK. This guidance results in boats sailing on canals and rivers with an open locker with no top and this seems to be accepted by BSS examiners.

This will be what the other poster is referring to and I am with him on this. An open locker might deal with minor leakage finding its way out via the drain however should the HP hose split then the leaked gas will just overflow the open locker and heaven knows where it might finish up on some boats. I am also wary of some of those sealed lockers one sees as pressure release is not catered for . Ideally the locker should in my mind be completely sealed with both a high and low level vent to the overside.

 

[VicS]

Actually Vic the words in the BSS say the locker should be sealed to a level with the top of the cylinder valve or to the level of the top of any HP fittings if higher.

These words seem to be interpreted differently by many IE one our local surveyor asks for the locker to be totally sealed. Other Yacht surveyors request a clipped lid with / without seals. However BSS suggests unsealed above the cylinders is OK. This guidance results in boats sailing on canals and rivers with an open locker with no top and this seems to be accepted by BSS examiners.

This will be what the other poster is referring to and I am with him on this. An open locker might deal with minor leakage finding its way out via the drain however should the HP hose split then the leaked gas will just overflow the open locker and heaven knows where it might finish up on some boats. I am also wary of some of those sealed lockers one sees as pressure release is not catered for . Ideally the locker should in my mind be completely sealed with both a high and low level vent to the overside.

Yes allowing in effect open topped gas bottle storage has always seemed a bit daft to me. IMHO it should be a sealed locker with a drain and an over board vent

There is I think something in the BSS about not allowing access from the boats interior ... although that may be in connection with front opening lockers.

Whatever, LW395 has dismissed the BSS as "written by bureaucrats". He offers no recommendations on an alternative document that anyone can follow.

What we need is constructive advice ...... not merely destructive criticism.

 

[dansaskip]

Gas locker

Here is a pic of the gas locker on my sadler 25 - to starboard of main lazzerete. There is plenty of room. The lid opened to a round fibre glass chamber which vented though the transom.
I thought this was the standard arangement? maybe only on later built boats though (mine was '81)

 

[greggron]

Excellent, thank you. Mine is a '78 and that set up certainly does not feature.

 

[BERT T]

Visit your local plumbers merchant, buy a 20 litre header tank and a 3/4" tank connector for the vent. Reinforce the sides with 9mm ply, this is big enough to take two campingaz 907 cylinders.

 

[Seajet]

greggron,

I have a simple box in the cockpit of my 22' boat as an addition aft of the bridgedeck to house the gas bottle and a spare or usually a few buckets, it's free to vent to fresh air, very simple to make and has proven a very useful cockpit seat, as well as reducing cockpit volume in the event of pooping etc; we all seem to sail with smaller crews nowadays so reducing cockpit volume is desirable.

Please feel free to PM me for photo's.

Have fun,

Andy

 

[lw395]

So rather than refer to the BSS what do you recommend as guidance for anyone wanting to fit a gas locker and install a sound, safe gas system.


BTw I think, if you read it, you will find that the BSS does require a gas locker which is "sealed/separate" from the interior of the boat.

My guidance would be:
Imagine the hose/reg/seal fails
all the gas comes out fairly quickly
Is any of the gas going to get into the interior of the boat?

No need for anything more complex.
You still have to take care of the fittings etc below decks.
The other thing I like to see is a shot off valve in plain view, not tucked away in a locker.
Of course, many people taking adequate care have used gas cylinders inside yachts, but at least they are not fooled into thinking it's safe, so they are more careful.