Re: Why do Boats Catch on Fire
Usually the same reason cars catch fire, lack of maintenance, blatant disregard for obvious problems, and fuel leaks.
There are the few instances where fires occur and you have no control over preventing them, that's why you have a big huge fire extinguisher.
You would be amazed how many people are operating boats without a flame arrestor or are ignoring fuel leaks.
Example: Boat owner leaves a gas pump after refueling and engine stalls soon after with a strong gasoline smell present.
-Owner A decides the best course of action is to keep cranking the engine without the blower running. Then after the engine doesn't start and the fuel stench increases, he continues to crank over until the starter he got from an auto parts store makes a spark and ignites all the fuel vapor causing an explosion.
-Owner B, who only uses marine parts, decides the best course of action is to run the blower to relieve fuel vapors from the engine compartment. Once the fuel smell has dissipated he discovers the fuel feed hose to the carburetor has cracked and is leaking. To prevent any source of ignition, Owner B turns off main battery power to be safe and decides he cannot safely repair the problem on the water. He calls a buddy for a tow and brings the boat home to make proper repairs.
That's really how fires start, it's not rocket science.
then they get in an older boat and never lift the engine cover to see what's going on!
