New propane system , 71 cal 29’

[Capn ken]

I’m putting in a new oven and heater converting from CNG to propane . I was thinking of using the starboard lazerette . Building a sealed container with outflow pipe above the water line but below the outflow hose ! Any advice from other cal 29 owners would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[rcvesselstyn]

I would try to go with a open air as much as possible . I have seen installations with the tank mounted behind the rudder post against the inside of the transom in a well ventilated box. If you have pedestal steering then make a helm seat out of it. The best looking mount for practicality seemed to be using aluminum tanks and mounting them on the uprights of the stern pulpit. Whatever you do get your bilge sensors mounted and working, if you have a atomic 4 you may already have some. Back in the day not a summer
Went by without that unmistakable wumpp sound of some power boater being blown out of his cabin by his stove igniting gasoline fumes. I know it's not exactly the same but it's pretty close. We have been running CNG on this boat and my wife isn't happy with the BTUs that it puts out on the stove. We outfit our last boat with propane and she was much happier with her Gourmet stove. But for heaven's sakes do it right so you don't blow up.

[rcvesselstyn]

P.S. depending on the winds and seas any point between my waterline and my gunnel are underwater. Just remember that if you drill a hole in the hull.

[buntybull]

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The starboard lazarette in my 1975 Cal 2-29 has a vent to the cockpit at ground level, thence out through the cockpit drains. I replaced the propane sniffer just aft of the head (lowest point of the cabin) and added a 3/4" solenoid valve with pressure gauge (see before and after pics). The valve is on the high pressure side of the regulators because I have two propane appliances stove and furnace/fireplace. 3/4" because it can stop the propane right up to about 130 F tank pressure, hotter than it'll ever get in the Pacific Northwest

[Fred Haas]

A dock mate of mine had the propane bottles on his 2-29 mounted outboard of the pushpit. They interfered with nothing, and eliminated any chance of a build up of gas in the hull. Made sense to me. That said, Nemesis has a commercially built locker installed behind the port lazarette and dried through the transom. Hasn't gone whump in 20 years.
Fred Haas
3-30 Nemesis
Tacoma

[Capn ken]

Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the great ideas. Fairwinds, following seas and great meals!

[Capn ken]

Any other cal 29 lpg users care to chime in ? two sniffers ,an enclosed plastic and leak proof box ,solenoid ,20 lb aluminum tank plus a few other goodies and i can start baking fresh bread !