Thanks To A Fuel Vapor Detector, The 4th Of July Was Fireworks Free!
Gene Porters Lyman just sitting there all innocent like
Thanks to fellow Woody Boater Gene Porter, we are now aware of a major safety device that could save your life one day. The following story will appear in the upcoming Rudder, normally we would not publish a story that will appear in another publication, but this is all about awareness and getting the word out.
“Save a boat, maybe save a life” By Gene Porter
Early in the 2013 boating season at least one vintage boat was lost due to a fuel leak and the resulting explosion and fire. The dominant reaction online and elsewhere was “Lift and Sniff” – clearly good advice, but not always sufficient. What if the fuel only leaks after the engine has been started?
A simple yet life saving device
Five years after installation of a fuel vapor detector in the bilge of my vintage 23’ Lyman Sleeper, and never having sounded before except when testing, the alarm sounded right after I had sniffed the engine compartment and then started the engine at the start of a Lyman cruise on “Golden Pond”/Squam Lake NH .
Lifting and sniffing. Wasn’t enough
A fuel leak had developed from a filter fitting, no doubt due to the extensive vibrations recently imposed by Interstate 95. Sniffing prior to starting wasn’t enough because the filter fitting was downstream of the fuel pump and therefore not pressurized until after the engine started.
Leaky fuel filter
This alarm probably saved my boat and maybe my life and those of friends on the adjacent dock. Although now priced just above $100 – about twice what I paid years ago – such detectors seem to me to be an extremely worthwhile investment in safety. I’m surprised they aren’t mandatory but recommend that all owners of gasoline fueled boats –particularly old inboards – and all restoration shops, immediately install such a detector in each boat under their purview.
Best
Gene Porter
Past President ACBS
Thankfully now all Gene has to worry about is the water levels on his lake.
Gene’s Lyman sitting at the dock. Or whats left of it.
Money well spent!
Good information! Considering I had my 61 Cruisers inc burn because of a fuel issue, thats a cheap date! And yes there is a lot of water in Lake Winni right now!
not sure why the photo didnt post, try again
I guess that picture was just to scarry for the computer to post. Try this one
Captain Grumpy, that picture is dang scary! Thanks for the heads up.
A had a simmilar situation this year. Everything looked and smelled OK on our ’76 Penn Yan durring the de-winterizing. Started her up and took another look and we found fuel dripping in two different locations downstream from the fuel pump.
Lift and sniff might not have caught that until too late. Only way we saw it was 1) we had the entire dog house out for clear visibility, and 2) we were actively looking since it was the first start of the season. I would not have found a mid-season leak the same way.
Maybe Santa will put a couple of fuel vapor detectors in my stocking this winter.
I am that guy with the gas tank problem a couple weeks ago. I was able to purchase a brand new stainless steel tank within a week. I installed it and went boating last Sunday. Once burned (so to speak), twice learned. I vented the bilge, check all the fittings…twice, and started her up. No problem until I was underway and smelled GAS!!! WTF!!! I stopped, opened the hatch and there was gas in the bilge. A quick check found a loose brass nut on the carburetor (bowl vent?) spilling gas. A simple crank with a wrench and the flow stopped. The spilled gas rapidly evaporated and the problem was solved.
No one touched the brass nut, it decided to loosen while underway. If my nose did not smell the gas I could have spent hours boating with gas accumulating in the bilge.
No question now, I will get a fume detector installed ASAP. No sense in tempting fate anymore.
Gene is indeed fortunate to have caught the problem, but that filter is for automotive use, not marine. If something had happened, the insurance may not apply due to non-marine equipment being used. CQ
Nice picture of LILY on the header!
Thank goodness the fate of that beautiful Lyman is protected, lapstrake ‘True North’ rules.
Salem Mass Antique and Classic Boat Festival “Most Original” winner Ted Chisholm’s Medford MA Wagemaker Wolverine”