Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: rmbrown on March 07, 2021, 09:05:24 AM

Title: Propane locker vent clogged.
Post by: rmbrown on March 07, 2021, 09:05:24 AM
Anyone have any intel on the propane locker vent?

I removed my tank for filling and found water up to vent.   Water stank so I washed it out then noticed it didn't drain.

Looked here and catalina direct to see if the vent was just a hole or was screened or filtered but my search was inconclusive.  I found a similar shaped vent on catalina direct that has a flame arrestor built in,  but it didn't mention propane locker as a use case.
Hose pressure from either side doesn't blow it out.  A long wire tie from tank to vent shows it clear to vent then hard stop.  Same tie from outside finds no opening.  Operator error?

Title: Re: Propane locker vent clogged.
Post by: Patches on March 07, 2021, 11:11:30 AM
Hi Mike:

I've got a 1990 Mark 1.25, and I suspect a different set-up for the propane locker. With a 1.5 you've got the walkthrough transom, and I can't remember if the propane locker is glassed in or "dropped in."   Mine was dropped in the aft cockpit lazarette, and mounted on a shelf.

For what it's worth, on my 1.25 there is a short length of hose from the bottom of the propane locker to the vent attached with hose clamps on both ends.  Mine was pretty accessible by removing the locker and the shelf, but it sounds like your's may involve some boat yoga through the aft cabin.

Lots of 1.5 owners on the forum, so hopefully you get a definitive answer.

Patches
Title: Re: Propane locker vent clogged.
Post by: rmbrown on March 07, 2021, 12:07:13 PM
Boat yoga indeed.   Sadly, 6 weeks ago, I had the water tank and rudder out and spent a week laying aft of the rudder post tube... but alas... I didn't know it was clogged!
Title: Re: Propane locker vent clogged.
Post by: mark_53 on March 07, 2021, 12:16:51 PM
Why not just remove the hose and unclog or replace?  I have MK1 and the hose leads from the propane locker to thru hull secured with hose clamps.
Title: Re: Propane locker vent clogged.
Post by: rmbrown on March 07, 2021, 01:41:40 PM
Removal is clearly the answer, but no trivial task on my M1.5... bulkhead, water tank removal, then crawl in.   My propane locker isn't removable without major surgery so far as I can tell.
Title: Re: Propane locker vent clogged.
Post by: rmbrown on March 07, 2021, 02:51:32 PM
For future readers... there's a screen on the outside of the vent.  It had maybe an inch of what looked like sand packed in behind it.   Flowing now.  I pulled the screen out with a bit of bent wire.
Title: Re: Propane locker vent clogged.
Post by: Ron Hill on March 08, 2021, 03:09:42 PM
Mike : You just found the "Handy Work" of a mudd dobber!!

Those critters will get up in the mainsail and build a net - almost impossible to get that stain out of the sail!!

A thought