which fire extinguisher - Page 3

codprawn · 22 July 2004, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangers

Very pleased with it. Its my first rib, so I'm amazed by the seakeeping. Don't know how it compares to other makes (apart from price!) so living in blissful ignorance. Some say they are a bit flat in the bow, and I have already stuffed it a couple of times. Advice from other ribsters is give it more throttle and a bit more trim.

How hard did you stuff it? How big were the waves? And how fast will it go top end? Would love to know as I may be getting one!

Nick Hearne · 22 July 2004, 16:08

so have we come up with the best suited fire extinguisher for a rib?
If so I have missed it!
Nick

Bilge Rat · 22 July 2004, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

so have we come up with the best suited fire extinguisher for a rib?
If so I have missed it!
Nick

Is there actually such a thing, its been established here that most fires on ribs are caused by electrical faults, so how fast would an electrical fire ignite the petrol thats being pumped into the engine and thus the electrical fire becomes a petrol fire, ?

Then how long would it take for the petrol to flash back to the tank and ignite/blow up ? or is that unlikely to actually happen ?
and at this point is there any point trying to fight the fire ?

Daniel TD5 · 22 July 2004, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

so have we come up with the best suited fire extinguisher for a rib?
If so I have missed it!
Nick

after all the comments i would say dry powder in at least 2kg would suit most ribs

like i have just fitted pic enclosed they are very cheap last five years untill
replacement is needed and come with mounting clip bracket

and i have all so found a suppler of 2 kg CO2 stainless steel whichs work out at
five times the price of the red 2kg dry powder

dan

Mark Halliday · 22 July 2004, 17:05

Just an observation.
Most people seem to stick their fire extinguisher at the back of the boat by the engine. Is this a good place? If the engine has caught light, do you really want to go back there to get it?
I have mine mounted on the console where I can reach it and then approach the fire.
Am I missing something?

Daniel TD5 · 22 July 2004, 17:16

if i had some flat suface to mount it on it would be up front good point mark

mount as far away from the engine as poss

dan

Searider · 22 July 2004, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilge Rat

great thread guys....... so which extigusher do i buy for my 4.7 metre rib ? does it have to be specifally a marine one or will any do the job ?

And are they really that worth having aboard anyway, currently when out i'm sitting on 65 litres of petrol and have a seperate 24 litres strapped to the back deck, in between this and the engine is the battery, if that lot catches fire i'm out of there pretty damn quick whether i jump over board of the thing blows

One point to remember irrespective of how effective an extinguisher is / is not is that it will almost certainly be required by your insurers. If you have a fire and no extinguisher they are quite within their rights to decline a claim.

If you have a fire, an an extinguisher but jump overboard they should pay.

I carry a 5A/34B rated dry powder (about 1kg) on my boat.

Regards

Duncan

codprawn · 22 July 2004, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilge Rat

Is there actually such a thing, its been established here that most fires on ribs are caused by electrical faults, so how fast would an electrical fire ignite the petrol thats being pumped into the engine and thus the electrical fire becomes a petrol fire, ?

Then how long would it take for the petrol to flash back to the tank and ignite/blow up ? or is that unlikely to actually happen ?
and at this point is there any point trying to fight the fire ?

Doubt it would flash back to the tank - too much petrol vapour - not enough oxygen - a full tank is safer than an empty one!

Some racing cars used to use a mesh in the tank which would stop the tank catching fire - it worked well and also had the advantage of acting as a big baffle but made refilling the tank a nightmare.

As to people using CO2 it is not suitable for anything in the open air and needs 10 times as much to replace Halon.

Personally I would stick with powder on show and my hidden green ones!!!

An electric and fuel shut off would also be essential.

Bilge Rat · 23 July 2004, 08:08

So for the insurance purposes and in the event you boat catches fire how do you prove you had an extiguisher aboard ? is it a case of taking it with you when you go over the side ? or does it again come down to one of these trust things ?

Some manufacturers and boat builders sell fire extinguisher recess to fit onto the consoul, this has to be the best bet as its then close to hand and not near the engine !!

Squirrel · 23 July 2004, 12:35

Hi, another pro-sport owner here! My 7.5m has a recessed holder in the front of the passenger jockey seat with a transparent door for a 2kg powder extinguisher. This means the driver can just reach down for it in an emergency. Seems to make much more sense than keeping it by the engine.

I currently have a leak somewhere in my fuel tank, which was only discovered due to water ingress, and could have been there for a few weeks. Had I filled up the tank right to the top and used the boat on a rough day, I could have had a very serious fuel leak into the bilges and a real fire risk. Currently running off an auxiliary until I can find the leak!

dangers · 23 July 2004, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

How hard did you stuff it? How big were the waves? And how fast will it go top end? Would love to know as I may be getting one!

Stuffed it hard enough to send up a big wall of water most of which landed in the boat. The tube deformed nicely. I had a good look at it afterwards, and it seems to be still stuck in the right place. Wave height was probably about 3m. Top end is about 42knts (we weren't doing that at the time!)

Squirrel · 23 July 2004, 15:34

3m waves! Thats pretty bullish Dangers, but they do seem very seaworthy.

My 7.5m 200hp does about the same speed, I've seen 46.9kts on the GPS, but that was exceptional.

codprawn · 23 July 2004, 15:48

Would have hoped for a bit more speed but still get some big thrills in rougher weather - have either of you thought of stuffing straps or similar?

dangers · 23 July 2004, 15:59

Squirrel maybe has a point there. Waves were big enough to scare the crew! probably more like 2m. Stuffing strap is probably a good idea. Maybe a winter project. I don't think any other prosport has had a tube rip off after a stuff. When I do hear of one, that will probably be the time to think about a strap. You stuffed yours much Squirrel?

Squirrel · 23 July 2004, 16:04

No, usually have wife and kids on board or going for lads beers in Herm, so only used it on fairly flat days so far. Having the small fuel tank is a bit limiting too.

In terms of speed I think it would do more with a different prop as there are revs left over at the top end, but I use it for wake-boarding so prefer a bit of grunt at teh bottom end.

BTW Dangers, you know who I am

!!

dangers · 23 July 2004, 16:09

not difficult to work it out squirrel, I only know one person with a prosport and a leaky tank, so it must be you! Have you got hold of Jason yet?

Squirrel · 23 July 2004, 16:16

Nope, he's on your rock until Sunday, so still waiting

Going to Herm for beers tonight, prob end up coming back in the dark, so could be interesting!

TTFN