J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Water in Bilge

Interesting note from Georges about the propane locker and the hose fitting. On Kinesis we had a blob of some kind of sealant that was breaking down and leaking. I ended up glassing over the hole and redirecting the propane hose to the top of the locker. I realized that not only water, but if it happened, leaking propane could also get into the bilge. Highly unlikely, but it just seemed like a bad design easily fixed.

The propane locker is supposed to have an opening that drains overboard - at least that is the ABYC requirement on newer boats. It is a safety thing to prevent an explosive mixture buildup in the locker if there is a leak. Rhapsody doesn't have a propane locker so I can't speak to what was done on J/30s that were built with the propane locker. I can say that on my J/109 there is a separate drain path at a low point in the locker directly overboard above the waterline. The locker is isolated from the inside of the boat. There are also safety warnings in the J/109 owners manual.

Here are excerpts from the ABYC LPG standard (document attached)

A-1.8.2 Installation:

A-1.8.2.1 LPG lockers shall be installed so that the locker opens only directly to the outside atmosphere, and

A-1.8.2.2 If a LPG locker is installed inside a boat locker, the LPG locker shall be located as high and as close
to the boat locker's opening as possible in order to comply with A-1.8.2.1.

A-1.8.3 When means of access to the LPG equipment locker or housing is open, the cylinder valves
shall be capable of being conveniently and quickly operated, and the system pressure gauge dials shall be fully
visible.

A-1.8.4 Lockers shall be vented at the bottom by a dedicated vent, with a minimum diameter of any
component in the vent system that shall be not less than 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) inside diameter.

A-1.8.5 Locker vents shall be led outboard, without pockets, through the hull to a point lower than the locker
bottom and above the waterline with the boat in the static floating position.

NOTE: See ABYC H-27, Seacocks, Thru-Hull Connections and Drain Plugs, for requirements for
seacocks.

A-1.8.6 Locker vent openings shall be located at least 20 inches (508 mm) from any hull opening to the boat
interior.

A-1.8.7 LPG lockers shall not be used for storage of any equipment other than LPG cylinders, cylinder valves,
regulating equipment, and LPG safety devices. See A-1.8.1.

The propane lockers do indeed have an overboard drain that is very close to the water line and as a consequence water will wash back into the locker on occasion. It harmlessly drains back out. The downfall of the setup was, or at least on my boat, that the propane line was led out of the locker to the interior of the boat at the bottom of the locker through another hole. Kinesis still has an overboard drain , but now the propane line is led through a new fitting at the top of the locker. I didn't see having a hole, even though it is sealed, to the interior of my boat at draining level a safe design.

My locker developed a leak in the hose connection of the locker to the transom. A 1.5 in x 10 in Hose. Very difficult to find. When the boat is heeling to Stbd, the transom fitting is below the waterline and backfilling water into the boat. This area is very difficult to work in but some Rescue tape and tightening the clamp got me by. I plan to replace that hose in Spring.
I have no LP gas appliances on my 1984, Hull 484. I use the locker for beer and ice since it has a drain.

I need to resurrect this thread. On MaJic Carpet the lazarettes both have a storage box inside them, neither has any kind of drain to the outside of the hull. I do want to use the stove so need to sort out a solution. I'm having a hard time seeing any easy solutions to this problem. On some cruising boats I have noticed that the tanks are actually mounted on the transom, not a very elegant solution. I was thinking about just securing the tank inside the cockpit and using the scuppers for the venting, but that seems to fail the drain being 20" away from any other opening.