Propane lazerette locker project

S

SEA3PO

New member
I have a Dickerson propane stove aboard, and I normally use a 1 gallon propane tank...largest tank I could install...but have decided to add a Dickerson Fireplace Heater and needed additional propane for longer trips.

So I bought one of those Keen composite propane 2.5 gallon tanks at last years boat show...and made a extended bottom to the lazarette...I used West Systems Epoxy over a 5 gallon paint bucket for the mold..then epoxied it to the bottom of the lazarette..then glassed from the top down to finish installing it... worked out great...and easily holds the 2.5 gallon tank... for short trips I will still use the one gallon tank... The lazarette is air tight and vents to the outside so it is perfect for the job...made good use of wasted space above the fuel tank.. often wondered why C-Dory made that space so small with all that extra room under it..

Now all I need do is sand it some and give it a finish coat...and enjoy..

Check out the pictures in my Photo log...

Joel
SEA3PO
 
Very cool!

So, just to get this straight, you cut a big hole in the bottom of the laz and just slipped your new tank well piece down into it and glassed it in? That is very ingenious.

Rick
 
Pretty close...and your way would have been easier... what I did was make the extension piece...then cut the hole...and bonded it up to the hole from the bottom...using several layers of roving and epoxy...then I finished the upper edge ...I used several layers of mat and fiberglass tape from the top down...so it is epoxied both top and bottom...gave it great strength...

I did think of going around the edge with fender washers and stainless bolts....but decided that would be overkill....as it is now it will easily support my weight... probably the thickest part of the boat ..

Painted the whole locker and extension with industrial white enamel...not that it needed it....just looks more finished.

Joel
SEA3PO
 
I am ready ! This part of the project is all done.....now the hard part....buying the Dickerson Fireplace heater... you know how us guys on a fixed income are...

Joel
SEA3PO
 
I may have missed it bc I dont read every post, what is the gas line setup? Are you using an inline on/off valve inside the cabin? thanks
 
Yes, it is one of those gas control systems from West Marine... the switch is just under the stove...and the solenoid is in the lazarette next to the regulator....I had a marine surveor help me set it up..the gas line is protected inside PVC pipe that is glued under the cockpit facia....neat and clean..

Joel
SEA3PO
 
hi joel,
i hadn't read any of this tread until i received your email today. nice job! i have a battery in each lazaret. did you as well and simply relocated one and if so where? are you planning on installing the fireplace in the same location as mine? is your stove propane gas as well?
thanks
pat
 
I have both batteries in the Starboard side lazarette, and the propane in the Port side....If I use the 1 gallon tank the lazarette is still very useable for storage...as the small tank almost fits flush with the bottom of the laz.

Yes, I am going to copy your install as close as possible...it was the pictures in your album that started me on this whole project..
The propane is already plumbed into the cabin for the Dickerson stove top that we really like.. The solenoid switch is mounted just below the stove, and the detector mounted about a foot off the floor on the instrument bulkhead.

What does the fireplace cap look like when mounted ? How much above the cabin top does it extend ? What did you use to seal around it ?
Any tips ?

I ordered the heater yesterday...hopefully in a week or so it will arrive...and I can start installing..

Thanks Again

Joel
SEA3PO
 
hey joel,
in my album, the first picture of misty seas, you will see approx 8" in front of radar arch, starboard side, will be the 6" vent for the fireplace. it looks like a ss bell, attractive, and not in the way of anything.
i'm thinking about changing over my alcohol stove for either electric or propane. i'm leaning more for electric. the alcohol seems to put a lot of moisture in the cabin, almost drips from the ceiling.
now, i'm also looking into selling my boat and purchasing a 2005 sea ray 280 cruiser, twin engines, marine head and shower, generator, etc. with trailer. my wife says if she hits her head one more time (while sleeping in the cutty, using the porta poti, or the top of doorway) in the c-dory, she's either getting rid of me, or getting out of boating. ok, she might be better off getting rid of me, but i wouldn't want her to get out of boating.
pat
 
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