The latest onboard fire video from BoatUS is essential viewing for powerboat owners, https://speedonthewater.com/in-the-n...ard-fire-video.

I've been around a couple of boat fires, and it happens fast. The first one was sad to see burn to the water. The second one, I made the dumba$$ mistake of extinguishing the fire. We should've let it burn

When I was a teenager, I saw a boat burn to the waterline. I'll never forget it. "Fast" doesn't even begin to describe it, right?

that's great to know that the typical hand held extinguisher we're all required to keep on board was found to be "basically useless"

An onboard fire extinguisher isn't totally useless. You just have to be prepared to use it in a real hurry - and correctly - if you want it to have any effect at all. Once the fire gets rolling though, don't waste your time or risk your life.

I watched the mti in Havasu last year at desert storm burn to waterline. We we about the first on scene and watched as they jumped off boat . Scary how fast it went up. They tried as well but nothing was stopping it.

Fiberglass and resin burn ferociously. And you definitely wouldn't want to inhale any of the smoke from that kind of fire.

Wow, happens fast.
Hopefully the fire extinguisher provides a means of escape if needed. That is about all to count on it for is what I've been told in classes.