The clue, of course, was it was raining when the fire started. That means
hatches were probably dogged. Sealing up the companionway may limit oxygen
levels enough to snuff the fire. The Tartan 37 cabin volume is quite moderate.
Binary Bill's answer is essentially correct. Of course, there is no guarantee
that this will work. The fire may continue long enough to sink the boat by
melting seacock hoses open underway.

RB

More to the point, don't leave liquid fuel open flame fires
untended. Singlehanded? COuld've either
+hove to to boil the billy; not going to run into anyone or
anything nore get distracted, and can be on hand for immediate
fire suppression; or
+set the boat self-steering
Either way, if singlehanded and needing to fire the stove up,
probably need a rest or change anyway.

I do one or t'other, depending on how beset I am by nets, other
boats, lee shores etc. AND fill a coupla thermoses at a time for
a quick drink later

Bobsprit wrote:

The clue, of course, was it was raining when the fire started. That means
hatches were probably dogged. Sealing up the companionway may limit oxygen
levels enough to snuff the fire. The Tartan 37 cabin volume is quite moderate.
Binary Bill's answer is essentially correct. Of course, there is no guarantee
that this will work. The fire may continue long enough to sink the boat by
melting seacock hoses open underway.

RB

--
Flying Tadpole

-------------------------
Faint echoes, sometimes inaudible, of the newsgroup's glorious
past are downloadable at http://music.download.com/internetopera

Gosh, now I am nervous. I sure hope no one sues me for giving such incorrect,
dangerous advice in an authoritative manner. Hopefully, anyone reading this
has read my other posts and realizes what a dolt I am when it comes to sailing.

On 17 Jun 2004 15:09:05 GMT, (Bobspirt) wrote this
crap:

Gosh, now I am nervous. I sure hope no one sues me for giving such incorrect,
dangerous advice in an authoritative manner. Hopefully, anyone reading this
has read my other posts and realizes what a dolt I am when it comes to sailing.

We've already found that out.




Pathetic Earthlings! No one can save you now!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...

The clue, of course, was it was raining when the fire started.

Good grief!!


That means
hatches were probably dogged.

Hatches are always sealed when a sailing boat is underway.


Sealing up the companionway may limit oxygen
levels enough to snuff the fire.

That is the most stupid thing that I have ever read.


The Tartan 37 cabin volume is quite moderate.
Binary Bill's answer is essentially correct.

Rubbish!

Of course, there is no guarantee
that this will work.

So, why do you suggest that BB gave the correct answer?

The fire may continue long enough to sink the boat by
melting seacock hoses open underway.


Really?

Your ignorance on this subject is quite impressive..... Well done!



Regards


Donal
--

"Donal" wrote in message
...
....

That means
hatches were probably dogged.

Hatches are always sealed when a sailing boat is underway.


Wow, your crew must suffer on a hot day. There are lots of boats, and lots of
situations where its desirable and permissible to make way with a hatch open. I
would say that 90% of the time we have a saloon hatch open underway, weather
permitting. Three of our hatches (2 in the galley, one in the head) have been
cracked open for all but a few hours in the last 5 years.

IIRC, the Tartan 37 has a hatch just forward of the companionway that could be
left open in moderate conditions.

don't most cruising boats have vents. I have 2 cowl vents.

SV


"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
"Donal" wrote in message
...
...

That means
hatches were probably dogged.

Hatches are always sealed when a sailing boat is underway.


Wow, your crew must suffer on a hot day. There are lots of boats, and
lots of
situations where its desirable and permissible to make way with a hatch
open. I
would say that 90% of the time we have a saloon hatch open underway,
weather
permitting. Three of our hatches (2 in the galley, one in the head) have
been
cracked open for all but a few hours in the last 5 years.

IIRC, the Tartan 37 has a hatch just forward of the companionway that
could be
left open in moderate conditions.

don't most cruising boats have vents. I have 2 cowl vents.

Cowl vents probably wouldn't do well at feeding a fire, but that's a good
point. I was also thinking of the vents for the engine. Some T37's have
replaced the dorades with Nicro vents as well.
As I said, closing the hatch MIGHT snuff the fire. At the very least it would
buy you time and that's the whole point if you can't fight the fire properly.
Leaving the companionway hatch open will just hasten the flames.

RB

ok, let's assume you closed the hatch. Now what?

SV

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
don't most cruising boats have vents. I have 2 cowl vents.

Cowl vents probably wouldn't do well at feeding a fire, but that's a good
point. I was also thinking of the vents for the engine. Some T37's have
replaced the dorades with Nicro vents as well.
As I said, closing the hatch MIGHT snuff the fire. At the very least it
would
buy you time and that's the whole point if you can't fight the fire
properly.
Leaving the companionway hatch open will just hasten the flames.

RB

It may just work....but I'd be looking real hard for another way out.
Even to the point or partially sinking the boat to get water above the
sole to toss on the fire, remembering that you are alone, stupid
enough to only have one fire extinguisher, no fire blanket, no bucket,
no dinghy or raft, and have left a fuel fire un attended.


I like the idea of partially sinking the boat. The "stupid" elements were part
of the question, which obviously dazzled poor Donal.

RB