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 Ventilating Cabin After Propane Leak		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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crystal_blue
1st Mate

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USA
82 Posts
Initially Posted - 08/13/2026 :  16:15:59  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I've only ever overnighted on Mariah once; but as we're planning another overnighter next month I figured I'd get some feedback from the forum:

Our galley stove has been converted to propane, and includes a sniffer below the galley sink. During our first overnighter last year, the alarm sounded while we were cooking dinner. At the time we had the pop-top up and the pop-top cover installed, but open. After shutting off the stove and removing the propane canister from the boat, we opened the fore hatch and the portlight in the head. Fifteen minutes later the sniffer was still detecting dangerous amounts of propane, so I ventured below with a fan (something like this) and set it on the table directing airflow aft towards the companionway hatch. Even with all that, it was still probably a good 45 minutes from the time the sniffer's alarm first went off to the time it wasn't detecting propane any more.

I know that propane is heavier-than-air and so leaks will tend to pool in the bottom of the boat. What's the best way to properly ventilate/dissipate pooled propane? Would it have been a good idea to place the fan on cabin sole, pointing aft and up through the companionway hatch? Or would placing an electric fan even deeper into a pool of gaseous propane just heighten the risk of ignition?

Thanks--
Jim and Crystal Smith
Lehi, Utah
1996 Catalina 250 WB #191 "Mariah"
Edited by - crystal_blue on 08/13/2026 16:26:07

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5930 Posts
Response Posted - 08/13/2026 :  19:44:55  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'm not an expert on the subject, but I suggest you first flood the bilge with water. It will displace the propane from the deepest part of the boat. Next, I would open the forward hatch and the companionway hatch and put a large fan over the forward hatch running on high. Try to get a strong breeze flowing aft through the boat. I'd let it run as long as weather and time permits. Nobody should be on the boat. After awhile, shut it down, wait a few minutes and check the sniffer. On a windy day, a wind chute in the hatch would probably be better than a fan. I wouldn't run an electric fan inside the boat at all.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.