I've unfortunately known multiple people who have had boat explosions, One of my friends lost his wife in such an accident.

Here's my protocol, feel free to critique me:

The blower is on on my boat whenever one or more of the conditions is true:

1. After refueling (5 minutes min + sniff test before starting)
2. After the engine has been off (5 minutes min or sniff test before starting)
3. Any time the engine is running below 2000rpm

I recently became aware, while riding with a friend, that he ran his blower then turned the blower off prior to starting his engine. The blower was not used again for the rest of the trip. I used to think he was a safe boat operator. When I told him what he is doing is unsafe, he didn't change his actions. His wife said, "He's been boating for a long time, and I trust him." I pray his good luck continues, but I don't want to rely on luck.

I'm very anal about my fill up procedure. Everyone off the boat, shut off all electronics and close all hatches/enclosures. After filling, turn on blower, open engine hatch and sniff test. However, I always have to yell at the gas attendant not to untie my boat until I'm finished and the boat is running. Almost every time the kid will untie before I even start the engine!!!

BTW, how did they have 16 people on that boat?!?!

Always a fear of mine at the fuel docks. Just seeing how a lot of people boating are oblivious and the condition of their equipment...its always on my mind. I will wait back and not tie up if I see an older boat or someone that looks like a rookie. It could happen even to an experienced captain. Modern fuel injection makes this much less of a possibility


I try to go fill up when there isn't anyone else up there or when traffic is low.

The last few years at the fuel docks I was always very much aware of the other boats around me when it was time for them to start engines after they filled up. I made sure to be as far away from them as I could be.

Not pointing fingers here but we've had a significant # of new boaters to LOTO since wuFlu. Education is paramount IMO and I don't believe many of these owners have a clue about water saftey, operational rules or observation of mechanical aspect of a boat. Visual observation of these items is essential regardless or your experience.. There we're 15 peeps on this boat, not uncommon but can you imagine the blow back from the political pin heads had there been losses of life, especially after the events with that Nortech at the 1mm.

My bet is bad plug wires more than blower motors as the igniter. A few years ago I started a boat at night on the hose and the wires had very visible arcs around the distributor cap. Lots of boats out there with 20 year old plug wires.

It was a 40'+ Carver Cabin Cruiser.

and the non ethanol Fuel lines on old boats

I don`t even have blowers .

You have Whipples