[PCW] Carbon monoxide -- explosion risk

[rodgibbons at mindspring.com]

Bob,

I agree with your concern (below) about the explosion risk of gasoline-fueled motors. But there is a BIG difference between gas outboards vs. gas inboard engines in terms of potential risk. An insurance-broker acquaintance of mine tells me there's often a higher premium charged for boats with inboard gas engines (vs. inboard diesel engines). But he is not aware of any insurance-rate difference between the use of gas outboards vs. diesel outboards on boats. Again, gas outboards are used on perhaps 8 or 9 of every 10 boats in the U.S. Yet they're seldom involved in boat explosions. As we know, it's the accumulation of gasoline fumes WITHIN the hull of a boat (more likely with an inboard engine than an outboard motor) that usually results in an explosion. (But yes, the tank and fuel line for outboards should receive regular inspection.)

Rod Gibbons
founder: Cruising Cats USA


>Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:57:07 -0800
>From: Robert Deering <deering at ak.net>

I have to think that the explosive threat of gasoline overwhelms any risks of CO poisoning, but I don't have any statistics to back that statement up. 
>
>Bob Deering
>Juneau, Alaska