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DonziDave
04-06-2003, 12:34 AM
Here is an old post of mine concerning how dangerous it is to only carry the minimum required fire extinguisher in your boat. Our Donzi's and lives are too precious to trust to inadequate equipment. Safety First!!

"Watch out for the hard stuff around the edges"! – Dave

On the subject of fire extinguishers, allow me to get on my soapbox for a moment and relate a personal experiance. I don't know how many of you have a boat fire, but I have. Words cannot describe the terror of seeing how fast the fire spreads and the sheer volume of flames. Because in the case of a fuel leak, the fuel pump has dumped a lot of gas before you realize your boat should not be smoking that much.
Many years ago I had a Rayson Craft flat bottom drag boat - 427 Holman Moody Ford - high rise manifold with dual Holleys - dry stack tuned headers over the transom - Cassal V-drive - 136 mph instantly - you get the picture (and I'm still alive).
Anyway, while blasting down the lake I popped a fuel fitting and by the time I realized what was happening I was really flaming. I stopped the boat and grabbed the 5 lb. ABC dry chemical extiguiser. As the boat stops, the water in the floor brings the burning fuel with it so now I'm standing in boiling flames. By the sheer luck of the God of boating, as the last little puff of powder came out of that puny 5 lb. extinguisher, the last flame went out. Now I'm holding an empty bottle waiting for a re-light. The 5 lb. empties so quickly you have to nail it on the first shot or you have to swim to shore and pray your insurance company got your check.
So after that experiance I have taken the "Belt and Suspenders" approach. In my 18 I installed a 10 lb. Halon with a heat sensing fusable link and manual switch at the helm (Halon no longer available but other oxygen depleting gas is). This will activate before you realize you even have a problem. The gas leaves no residue to clean up like chemical. Then for backup I keep a 5 lb. Halon in the cockpit. The little hand held is the minimum legal required for most of our boats, but trust me - it's not enough. - Dave

Donzigo
04-06-2003, 07:30 AM
I have witnessed two boats burn to the waterline inless than five minutes.

penbroke
04-06-2003, 10:00 AM
I have also seen first hand what fire can do on a boat and don't wish to repeat the experience.

Has anyone ever put fire ports on an 18? Seems like a good idea. I was thinking about behind the rear seat cushions... Any thoughts?

Frank
"fire bad"

RickR
04-06-2003, 03:03 PM
Donzidave
I've been there too. I was cleaning an old type clear gas fuel filter and shorted an piece of metal to the starter. I caught on fire along with the boat eek! No injuries but alot of property damage :(
Now I disconnect the battery when working on the fuel system.

I am worse than an old woman when it comes to safety.
Halon and a 5lb under the dash.
2 VHF
Type 1 life jackets
2 compass
2 GPS
Unlimited TowBoat US towing.

Funny thing, since I got the towing insurance both boats have been running like champs :D

Kirk
04-06-2003, 04:48 PM
Thankas for the posts over the last few weeks on fire prevention and fire extingusers.

Hope you/someone can help....please provide a link to a company that makes a quality/ hard wired fire suppersion systems.

Thanks in advance,

KJ

KRAVEN
04-06-2003, 05:39 PM
I have a fireboy system in my engine compartment that was installed by my dealer before taking delivery.You can check out their web site at www.fireboy-xintex.com (http://www.fireboy-xintex.com) :rolleyes: