Boat Fires

Things that are of general interest.
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Maestro
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Boat Fires

Post by Maestro »

I feel like I have heard about a lot of boat fires this year so I started reading about what causes them. I found this article to be interesting: http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/magazin ... -fires.asp

MOST COMMON REASON FOR BOAT FIRES: DC electrical problems, especially in the engine compartment. This is especially true for boats 25 years and older. Corroded, loose, worn out connections lead to resistance and heat.

SECOND MOST COMMON REASON: off-boat source such as marina or storage facility burning. This doesn't really help me sleep better at night...
Maestro
1986 32' Sedan
Chrysler 360s
1.5:1 Gears, 16x16 props

1970 28' Express
Single Chrysler 440
1:1 Gear, 14x12 prop

Green Bay, WI
jralbert
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Re: Boat Fires

Post by jralbert »

Insurance is a great sleep aid
-joel-
former owner 1988 '32 FB Sedan
Chesapeake Bay
twin 318 / 240 hp
Potomac MD
EWRice
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Re: Boat Fires

Post by EWRice »

This summer we witnessed 2 boat fires. One was a complete loss, the other minor damage. Both were electrical. :(
Muskegon Lake
1972 32' Express flybridge
"AL13"
Twin 318s
On board air & prime 920
1963 Thompson Super Sea Lancer
Graymarine 327
1961 Alumacraft 12'
'55 10hp Johnson
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bcassedy
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Re: Boat Fires

Post by bcassedy »

Electrical fires seem to be the biggest "bugga boo". With tons of connections to go thru, has anyone come up with a recurring secific list on a "x" year rotation? While ideal to chech every connection for looseness or corrosion, it's unlikely to be be completed in a single season, so a yearly checkoff list would seem more practical.
Bill
Bill & Sharon Cassedy
"Sunset Seeker"
'88 32' Sedan Bridge to be sold (updtd 1-1-22)
"Sunset Seeker Too" (SS2)
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Located in Aurora, In.
Always fresh water.
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bill
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Re: Boat Fires

Post by bill »

:idea:
One of those laser pointer thermometers would be able to find some hot spots. :)
bill
Former owner of
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Grosse Ile MI
Located on LakeErie
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1975
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USCG Master Lic. Retired[/color]
Third Owner bill
EWRice
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Re: Boat Fires

Post by EWRice »

The problem with electrical issues is that so many are intermittent. Or you have a situation where a solenoid sticks and overloads a circuit. If your lucky, a breaker or fuse was installed and working. If not....

Batteries are a huge issue in fires. Sometimes we get fooled as to the condition of our batteries because they always have a charger on them (shore power, generator, or engine alternator). A junk battery can sometimes still start an engine if it just comes off a charger. It may be boiling away in your engine room releasing all kinds of hydrogen. Check, or have your batteries checked each year. And don't think you need to keep a charger on them all winter. If your battery is good, and you have no parasitic draw from your electrical system, your batteries should hold a charge all winter. They will not freeze if they are charged either.

Along with that, if you have an older charger, have that checked as well. Many older (until the mid to late '90s) chargers were only automatic in the sense that they shut off at a certain voltage or amp draw, or just charged continously at a set voltage. Weather the battery needed it or not. I have been upgrading many of these older chargers over the last 10 years or so, to multi stage chargers and the difference in battery life has been amazing.
Muskegon Lake
1972 32' Express flybridge
"AL13"
Twin 318s
On board air & prime 920
1963 Thompson Super Sea Lancer
Graymarine 327
1961 Alumacraft 12'
'55 10hp Johnson
jralbert
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Re: Boat Fires

Post by jralbert »

Would putting the charger on a timer be a good idea -- say 30 mins/day or if the timer allows, intermittent days?
-joel-
former owner 1988 '32 FB Sedan
Chesapeake Bay
twin 318 / 240 hp
Potomac MD
EWRice
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Re: Boat Fires

Post by EWRice »

I have used the timer method on certain applications (trolling motor batteries, sailboats with no engine charging provisions, etc) but would not recommend this for boats that have bilge pumps running off of the batteries. A running bilge pump will drain a battery, but a working charger will keep it running indefinitely. I have seen a few boats hanging from dock lines because of this same scenario. Best bet is to check your batteries, charger, and replace either if needed.
Muskegon Lake
1972 32' Express flybridge
"AL13"
Twin 318s
On board air & prime 920
1963 Thompson Super Sea Lancer
Graymarine 327
1961 Alumacraft 12'
'55 10hp Johnson
jralbert
Site Admin
Posts: 885
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:15 pm

Re: Boat Fires

Post by jralbert »

Excellent point on the pumps
-joel-
former owner 1988 '32 FB Sedan
Chesapeake Bay
twin 318 / 240 hp
Potomac MD
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