Richard Casady wrote:
On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:04:01 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:

You could always get a small propane camp stove; the
risks associated are probably less than carrying gasoline. There are some

I would like to point out thhat propane is considerably heavier than
air, about the same density as carbon dioxide. Given a chance, it will
settle into the bilge. The explosion possible with a pound of the
stuff is equal to several sticks of dynamite, and can easily demolish
a boat. It does also mix with air to the point that the mixture is too
fuel poor to burn. It will do that, given a chance. This is why you
see boats with a 20 lb bottle mounted over the side, outside and
attached to, the stern railing. Gasoline main engines are probably
more dangerous, slightly. I have been boating on an Iowa lake for
fifty years. Never heard of a boat fire. Nearly all the boats are open
runabouts, or in the case of the 5hp fishing boats, crawlabouts, and
carrying a fire extinguisher is required by law.

This may be true, but the actual incidence of accidents and fatalities
is quite low. The total fire/explosion fatality count for the last 5
years is 16 for fuel, 4 for non-fuel in the USCG recreational boating
stat. This is out of about 3600 fatalities from other causes. (Peeing
over the side is probably far more dangerous than using propane.) There
have been a number of non-fatal incidents, but most fuel fires occur
during or shortly after re-fueling, when the crew is on deck.

I've never witnessed a fuel fire but I've seen the aftermath a few
times. When I was walking down the dock to inspect my new boat for the
first time, the salesman said, "Don't be alarmed, there was a little
incident but your boat is OK." It seemed the 30 ft powerboat diagonally
across had taken on fuel, powered back to the slip, and exploded when
the shore power was plugged in. There were no injuries, but boat was
totaled, and the boat next to mine (owned by my builder) was scorched.

Actually I did witness one impressive explosion. I was about 500 yards
away from this one:
http://infinitecoolness.com/gallerie...lownaway24.jpg