Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

A forum for discussing boat or trailer repairs or modifications that you have made or are considering.
User avatar
Québec 1
Admiral
Posts: 1447
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Honda BF 50 - MACM0047E303 Lévis, Québec Canada

Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Québec 1 »

Cockpit propane tank storage unit for 2 1lb tanks
Image
Influenced by board member mods I made a Container that will permit me to securely keep 2 small propane bottles for my force 10 BBQ on my 26M. Made with 4 inch standard white pvc sewer pipe, a sewer pipe adapter with a screw on top,plastic screws and zinc plated adjustable collars to hook it on to the boat stanchion. Check the mods section for all the photos.
Q1
User avatar
KayakDan
Captain
Posts: 507
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:10 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Apple Valley,Ohio, ........... 2006 26M "Spice" Honda 50

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by KayakDan »

Note also that this handy gizmo can be nicely mounted horizontally,under stern rail seats if you have them. I attached mine using stainless steel hose clamps. Sorry,no pics of it.
User avatar
Québec 1
Admiral
Posts: 1447
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Honda BF 50 - MACM0047E303 Lévis, Québec Canada

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Québec 1 »

KayakDan wrote:Note also that this handy gizmo can be nicely mounted horizontally,under stern rail seats if you have them. I attached mine using stainless steel hose clamps. Sorry,no pics of it.
Great ideal...I will try that first. Thks Dan.
Q1
Kelly Hanson East
Admiral
Posts: 1786
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:35 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Kelly Hanson Marine........Mac 26M Dealer......Freedom Boat Works

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Kelly Hanson East »

On the :macx: propane cylinders tuck really nicely into the fuel locker, in front of the fuel tank. I wrap them in plastic bags from the newspaper.
User avatar
Divecoz
Admiral
Posts: 3803
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 2:54 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: PORT CHARLOTTE FLORIDA 05 M Mercury 50 H.P. Big Foot Bill at Boats 4 Sail is my Hero

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Divecoz »

On Our M on the port side under the seat is a six gallon gas tank and a square Plastic milk crate wannabee. ( a very minor modification enables the seat lip to hold it securely in place)It fits perfect in that space and has 2 sections of 4" PVC each holds 2 of those tanks and the rest of the crate holds lots of other stuff...
User avatar
Duane Dunn, Allegro
Admiral
Posts: 2459
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:41 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Bellevue, Wa '96 26x, Tohatsu 90 TLDI and Plug In Hybrid Electric drive
Contact:

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Duane Dunn, Allegro »

I made a simple rack out of aluminum bar that is screwed to the stbd transom. Easy access, right by our BBQ, great drainage of any gas leaks or water.

Image
User avatar
Tahoe Jack
First Officer
Posts: 309
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:50 pm
Location: Lake Tahoe Nevada 2001 26X Evin/Suz 50..'Octopus'...

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Tahoe Jack »

Hey guys.....I'm all for going green.....but those damn tanks don't last, and generate trash....check out my mod from a while back....one time effort and lifetime savings....and, no trash...my preferred way to go green. http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=784 8) Tahoe Jack
User avatar
KayakDan
Captain
Posts: 507
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:10 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Apple Valley,Ohio, ........... 2006 26M "Spice" Honda 50

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by KayakDan »

Tahoe Jack wrote:Hey guys.....I'm all for going green.....but those damn tanks don't last, and generate trash....check out my mod from a while back....one time effort and lifetime savings....and, no trash...my preferred way to go green. http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=784 8) Tahoe Jack
I hear what you're saying. I only use the small cylinders because I remove the BBQ for trailering,and it' too awkward to keep detaching a propane line. I have a 6lb aluminum slim line tank mounted on the rear port stanchion,hardwired to the propane stove on the galley. When we take the boat to Exuma,I will tee off the line for a permanent line to the BBQ. I will also mount another 6lb to starboard for backup.

What really stinks,is you can't even recycle the empty cans. :(
SkiDeep2001
Captain
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:27 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Redmond,WA USA 98X Nissan50 CATMAN DOUX

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by SkiDeep2001 »

ATTENTION; for those of you using the 1Lb Coleman bottles, here is a re-fill valve from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=45989 Now you can re-use those bottles and not have to add them to the growing garbage heaps :( on poor old Mother Earth. Save some $$$$ in the process too. 8) Rob
User avatar
Hamin' X
Site Admin
Posts: 3464
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Hermiston, OR-----------2001 26X DF-50 Suz---------------(Now Sold)
Contact:

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Hamin' X »

SkiDeep2001 wrote:ATTENTION; for those of you using the 1Lb Coleman bottles, here is a re-fill valve from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=45989 Now you can re-use those bottles and not have to add them to the growing garbage heaps :( on poor old Mother Earth. Save some $$$$ in the process too. 8) Rob
Read the warning on the bottle and refill at your own risk.

~Rich
SkiDeep2001
Captain
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:27 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Redmond,WA USA 98X Nissan50 CATMAN DOUX

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by SkiDeep2001 »

Hamin' X wrote:
SkiDeep2001 wrote:ATTENTION; for those of you using the 1Lb Coleman bottles, here is a re-fill valve from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=45989 Now you can re-use those bottles and not have to add them to the growing garbage heaps :( on poor old Mother Earth. Save some $$$$ in the process too. 8) Rob
Read the warning on the bottle and refill at your own risk.

~Rich
I didn't have a bottle on hand when I posted so I will repeat Rich's warning. Read the warning on the bottle and refill at your own risk. :o Don't go blowing yourself up :!: 8) Rob - PS: My girlfriend is a lawyer so I will check to see if that warning is enough to protect me from liability for stupid posting :P :wink:
User avatar
Divecoz
Admiral
Posts: 3803
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 2:54 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: PORT CHARLOTTE FLORIDA 05 M Mercury 50 H.P. Big Foot Bill at Boats 4 Sail is my Hero

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Divecoz »

For that matter dont store them with the Blue Valve on.... If something should push the button down and its easy to do BELIVE ME :( at best you empty the tank.
SkiDeep2001
Captain
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:27 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Redmond,WA USA 98X Nissan50 CATMAN DOUX

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by SkiDeep2001 »

This is from the Harbor Freight ad Safe and legal, you no longer have to dispose of, or pay for, those small propane bottles. so if you do blow yourself up, tell your attorney to sue them and not me, OK :?: Thanks :P :wink: 8) Rob
Kelly Hanson East
Admiral
Posts: 1786
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:35 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Kelly Hanson Marine........Mac 26M Dealer......Freedom Boat Works

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Kelly Hanson East »

This has been rehashed, but it is actually a Federal crime to transport these after refilling.

It has to do with the fact that the propane used in these bottles is extremely dry, to prevent them from rusting out, and the propane you get in 25 # cylinders contains moisture.

Most of us dont use enough propane to justify the hassle of refilling. We use 1 1/2 bottles with 5 people on the boat for a week...thats 6 USD of propane.
User avatar
Hamin' X
Site Admin
Posts: 3464
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Hermiston, OR-----------2001 26X DF-50 Suz---------------(Now Sold)
Contact:

Re: Propane tank storage unit for Cockpit

Post by Hamin' X »

Kelly Hanson East wrote:This has been rehashed, but it is actually a Federal crime to transport these after refilling.
It is sort of like the "Do not remove this label under penalty of law" tags, it is poorly explained. It is not illegal to transport them yourself, only commercial carriers. It is foolish, IMHO. The valves have only so many cycles before failure. The disposable tanks are not heat treated and lack the elasticity to be filled time and again without rupturing and there is the rust problem, as these tanks are not lined.

Unfortunately, it is one of those improper behaviors, that are self reinforcing. Like crossing the street without looking both ways, sometimes you are better off taking your parents word for it.

~Rich
Post Reply