Planning first voyage

Just Sold · 06-11-2010, 10:16 PM

Blowers should always be on when starting and be sure to run them right after refueling for 30 sec or a minute before starting. Make sure they are running becuse.....
My ex-sisiter-in-law was on a large cabin cruiser that had just refueled and it exploded when the owner went to start it. It was determined that the blowers failed to run when he turned them on before starting. The owner was severely burned and one other person received less severe burns but was blown into the water. S-I-L and another woman were on the bow and were not burned. Jumped to the pier before the boat was cut free. Made the all the Boston papers - 1980's.

Seeker · 06-12-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Sold

Blowers should always be on when starting and be sure to run them right after refueling for 30 sec or a minute before starting. Make sure they are running becuse.....
My ex-sisiter-in-law was on a large cabin cruiser that had just refueled and it exploded when the owner went to start it. It was determined that the blowers failed to run when he turned them on before starting. The owner was severely burned and one other person received less severe burns but was blown into the water. S-I-L and another woman were on the bow and were not burned. Jumped to the pier before the boat was cut free. Made the all the Boston papers - 1980's.

Very likely at my marina at the time (Marina Bay, Quincy). We had a few blow up at the gas dock. I held 400 gallons and ran my blowers 5 minutes after refueling and sniffing the bilge. Gas dock doesn't like it but T/S, it's my butt. Also had a small boat (18') use the old wet/dry vac to vac up some fuel. Burned to the water line.

jrc · 06-12-2010, 10:51 PM

I always run the blower for four minutes before I start the engine. The purpose is to clean out any gasoline vapors. If you have a gas leak or vapors are escaping from your engine, carbuerator or old hoses, the vapors build up in the engine room and the spark from the starter can cause an expolsion. It happens at least once or twice a season in the country.

Even better is to sniff the engine room before starting or if that's too tough sniff the blower exhaust.

I don't run the blowers after the engine starts, even at idle speed. The engine is sucking 5.7 liters of air every two revolutions, any vapors will be consummed. Can't hurt to leave the blowers, on just wears them out faster.

When fueling you have to be extra careful, because now you have vapor generated by the fuel nozzle. I turn the blowers off during pumping, otherwise they might suck in vapors from the nozzle. After the pumping is complete, I turn on the blower while I go in and pay, at least 4 minutes.

06-11-2010, 10:16 PM	#1
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,616 Thanks: 1,086 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	Blowers should always be on when starting and be sure to run them right after refueling for 30 sec or a minute before starting. Make sure they are running becuse..... My ex-sisiter-in-law was on a large cabin cruiser that had just refueled and it exploded when the owner went to start it. It was determined that the blowers failed to run when he turned them on before starting. The owner was severely burned and one other person received less severe burns but was blown into the water. S-I-L and another woman were on the bow and were not burned. Jumped to the pier before the boat was cut free. Made the all the Boston papers - 1980's. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

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06-12-2010, 10:51 PM	#3
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	I always run the blower for four minutes before I start the engine. The purpose is to clean out any gasoline vapors. If you have a gas leak or vapors are escaping from your engine, carbuerator or old hoses, the vapors build up in the engine room and the spark from the starter can cause an expolsion. It happens at least once or twice a season in the country. Even better is to sniff the engine room before starting or if that's too tough sniff the blower exhaust. I don't run the blowers after the engine starts, even at idle speed. The engine is sucking 5.7 liters of air every two revolutions, any vapors will be consummed. Can't hurt to leave the blowers, on just wears them out faster. When fueling you have to be extra careful, because now you have vapor generated by the fuel nozzle. I turn the blowers off during pumping, otherwise they might suck in vapors from the nozzle. After the pumping is complete, I turn on the blower while I go in and pay, at least 4 minutes.