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COMMON MYTHS ABOUT BOATING AND BOAT BUILDING All of the following are statements I have heard people say, or I seen in print. It always amazes me how seemingly competent people can continue to pass these on. It also amazes me that boat owners don’t take the time to check the Internet or read books to find out the facts. I have even heard professional marine surveyors and repairers say some of these things. Belief: Styrofoam flotation is banned by the Coast Guard. Not true: Any means can be used to achieve the flotation requirements. The Coast Guard requirement says that if you use foam and the foam is exposed to gasoline, oils or other chemicals that would degrade it, it must be resistant to these substances. Styrofoam is not. However, you can use Styrofoam anywhere it isn’t exposed to these, or anywhere if the foam is encased. Foam isn’t even required. It just happens to be the easiest and most convenient solution. Belief: The Coast Guard requires Battery Boxes (or ABYC does)
Note:
1. ABYC means American Boat and Yacht Council. http://www.abycinc.org
2. NFPA means National Fire Protection Association http://www.nfpa.org
3. CFR means Code of Federal Regulations Not true:
Sec. 183.420 Batteries.
(a) Each installed battery must not move more than one inch in any direction when a pulling force of 90 pounds or twice the battery weight, whichever is less, is applied through the center of gravity of the battery as follows:
(1) Vertically for a duration of one minute.
(2) Horizontally and parallel to the boat's center line for a duration of one minute fore and one minute aft.
(3) Horizontally and perpendicular to the boat's center line for a duration of one minute to starboard and one minute to port.
(b) Each battery must be installed so that metallic objects cannot come in contact with the ungrounded battery terminals.
(c) Each metallic fuel line and fuel system component within 12 inches and above the horizontal plane of the battery top surface as installed must be shielded with dielectric material.
(d) Each battery must not be directly above or below a fuel tank, fuel filter, or fitting in a fuel line.
(e) A vent system or other means must be provided to permit the discharge from the boat of hydrogen gas released by the battery.
(f) [Reserved]
(g) Each battery terminal connector must not depend on spring tension for its mechanical connection to the terminal.
Notice, it does not say how the battery should be constrained or how to prevent inadvertent contact by shielding it. A common method is to put the battery in a ventilated box. However, the Coast Guard does not require a box. The battery may be held with a strap or clamps and it can be shielded with boots on the terminals. It can also be in a tray that keeps it from moving and will hold any spillage.
Here is the NFPA wording for batteries. It does not say they have to be in a battery box. It allows for other means of compliance.
NFPA 302 says: in 302-7.3
“A vent system or other means shall be provided to allow the discharge from the boat of hydrogen gas released by the battery. Battery boxes with a cover that forms a pocket over the battery shall be vented.”
“Batteries shall be secured to provide immobilization to the extent practicable.”
“Batteries shall be located in a liquid tight tray or battery box of adequate capacity to retain normal spillage or boilover of electrolytes. The tray shall be constructed of or lined with materials resistant to deterioration by the electrolytes.”
“A non conductive, perforated cover or other means shall be provided to prevent accidental shorting of the ungrounded battery terminals and cell conductors.”
ABYC says similar things. Standards for batteries are found in ABYC E-10. Nowhere does it say they must be in a battery box, and it provides alternative means to comply. Obviously the easiest way of meeting these requirements is a battery box, but it is not required and it is not a regulation.
Belief: Do it yourself AC wiring: It is now illegal to use ROMEX or solid core electrical wire in boats – Many older boats are grandfathered provided it was wired that way at the factory. If you wired it in the last 10 years it must be done with stranded copper wire only. NFPA 302 – ABYC – CFR 33
Not True: This is really misleading. It is not illegal to wire your boat yourself and the requirement for stranded wire is a manufacturer requirement. 33 CFR 183.425 says “a) Each conductor must be insulated, stranded copper.” But, that regulation does not apply to boat owners. The Federal regulation is a manufacturer requirement. Both ABYC and NFPA require stranded copper wire but they are voluntary standards. You will not pass a survey if you have Romex (house wire) or other solid core wire, but it is not illegal for the owner. However, the owner would be advised to use boat cable. Solid core wiring is not as flexible and is more prone to overheating than stranded wire. Stranded copper wire is required on new boats because it is safer.
Belief: Recreational Boats must be Coast Guard Approved (or certified).
Not True: The Coast Guard does not certify or approve recreational boats. The terms US Coast Guard Certified and US Coast Guard Approved have specific meanings defined by law. Recreational boats are certified, but it is the builder or manufacturer who must certify that their boats meet the requirements of the Federal Regulations. See http://newboatbuilders.com/pages/certified.html for more information.
Belief: Your powerboat must have an Anti-Siphon valve:
Not True. The US Coast Guard requires an anti-siphon valve on inboard powered boats with permanently installed fuel systems, if the fuel tank is higher than the fuel inlet on the engine. That means if the fuel line runs down hill from the tank to the engine, you need an anti-siphon valve. If it runs uphill, that is the fuel inlet on the engine is higher than the tank, then you don’t need one. These little valves cause a lot of problems and are always getting clogged by junk in the fuel. If you don’t need it, get rid of it. They are not required on outboard boats. ABYC standards do require them on outboards with permanently installed fuel systems, but only if the fuel system can siphon itself.
Belief: The Coast Guard (or ABYC) bans Stainless Steel tanks:
Not true: The only tank material that is banned is ternplate, a tin-lead metal that is very prone to corrosion. Stainless tanks are permitted. However, they are very prone to a condition called crevice corrosion, so ABYC recommends they be 20 gallons or less with domed ends. This minimizes the welds where they are most subject to corrosion. They should be mounted where they will be dry and can be inspected on all sides. Only 316L or 317L stainless should be used. As with all the above, tank regulations are manufacturer requirements.
Belief: It is illegal to exceed the horsepower rating on my boat:
Maybe; Why maybe? This is a gray area. The Federal regulation requires boat manufacturers to post a label with the recommended maximum safe horsepower for outboard powered boats. It only applies to monohull boats under 20 feet in length. That Horsepower is determined using a formula contained in the regulation. Under Federal law a boat owner can put any size engine they want on their boat. However, the catch is, some states have passed laws making it a violation to exceed the values on the capacity label. Insurance companies also may cancel your insurance if they discover the boat has an engine that exceeds the horsepower rating. If you have an accident and an investigation shows it was related to overpowering then the owner could be held liable in a law suit by the injured parties.
Belief: I was cited by the police for not having a capacity label on my boat:
Not a requirement. This is an easy one. The label is a manufacturer requirement. The boat owner is not responsible for the label and cannot be cited for violating Federal Law. Only one state has a requirement for a capacity label, Pennsylvania, and they issue the label to boats that don’t have one. So any law enforcement officer who cites a boat owner for no capacity label is misinformed and the ticket will be dismissed. However, if your boat is missing the label you should try to get a new one from the boat manufacturer. If the manufacturer is no longer in business, or the boat is so old the manufacturer no longer stocks the labels, you can have one made. But first you need to know what the values were that were on the label.
Belief: ABYC requires Tinned wire.
Not True. Tinned wire is recommended and can be used but it is not required by ABYC.
Belief: ABYC does not allow soldered connections:
Not true. ABYC allows soldered connections but they cannot be the sole means of support for the wire.
E-11.14.5.7 Solder shall not be the sole means of support of mechanical connection in any circuit. If soldered, the connection shall be so located or supported as to minimize flexing of the conductor where the solder changes the flexible conductor into a solid conductor
Belief: Galvanic Corrosion Vs Electrolysis:
Which is the correct term? I still hear a lot of professionals, let alone amateurs, referring to Galvanic Corrosion as Electrolysis. The differences are complex although they are similar processes. But the correct term is galvanic corrosion.
3:46 AM
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