View Full Version : Heat shrink boat yourself - NOT!!!
A fellow wanted to save himself about $300 - to heat shrink his boat for winter storage at the Marina at Hastings MN - on the Mississsippi river yesterday.
He was using a hand held propane torch - to shrink the wrap, when something happened, and the boat ignited. Before the fire was out, over 20 million dollars worth of boats had been destroyed, or severely damaged by the fire.
A great way to save $300 - eh-- NOT!!!
Be careful, and don't try to save money, in a way - that can end up costing much more than what you might save.
Incidentally, the Marina - has a policy in place which specifically prohibits - the owner applied shrink wrap - just to avoid such a situation. (any one know a good lawyer, for the unfortunate individual that startrted it all??)
Take care and be safe
REW
CI_Guy
10-21-2002, 02:33 PM
I live 15 miles west of Hastings. Couldn't see the flames but the cloud of black smoke was huge. At least 20 boats burned and many more damaged. I'm sure some of those boats were lifetime dreams.
I am curious though, what is the flash point of fiberglass?
Pat K
Fish_on
10-21-2002, 02:43 PM
Here's your sign.
Mr. Wizard
10-21-2002, 02:45 PM
Somewhere between shrink-wrap and propane flame.
ROTFLMAO. Thanks Fish-On.
Best Regards,
FJH
I was just chatting with a couple of co-workers, and we theorized, that the fellow doing the shrink wrap - probably didn't start the fire, from setting the shrink wrap on fire. The shrink wrap is going to tend to self extinguish on a small ignition point.
We speculated that the fire probably started, when the torch - hit a leaky fuel line - or some other point of instant combustion.
Then, once this boat was burning - all of the boats were on trailers in very close proximity. Once, ones boat began to burn, and have the gas tank ignite, it would throw flaming gasoline over the other boats which were packed tightly together on adjacent trailers. Now, when the tires began to burn, you have a fire that gets harder and harder to extinguish. I would imagine that the majority of the boats were fiberglass, and once, it gets hot enough will melt down and burn - as any petroleum product will do.
Think SAFE !!!
REW
JLucPicard
10-21-2002, 08:58 PM
I'll second FJH1... very funny, Fish-On!!!!!! Thanks!
Airwave(OH)
10-22-2002, 04:18 AM
I can just about guarantee what happen. I shrink about a hundred boats a year. He most likely didn't cover the Gas tank vent and as soon as he got close with the torch he bought a bunch of boats. Or is going to. Your right Bill Engvall said it best!!!"Heres your sign." LOL We'll have to send Bill a letter and see if he can use this in his next CD.
Husky
10-22-2002, 07:34 AM
REW,
If we took every instance of some unfortunate person failing to take adequate precautions, whether shrink wrapping, changing oil (having vehicle falling /rolling off supports and killing someone etc)or any other endeavor, we would become paralized, unable or unwilling to do anything ourselves.
Apparently this guy did not exercise sufficient caution. Shrink wrapping is safe, assuming you are carefull to follow all directions and pay attention to what you are doing.
Much like a person not paying attention when driving, these type of inattentiveness cost people (other people) their lives. But I wouldn't say people should not drive.
Husky,
I completely agree with you on this on.
I think that one of the most significant things that I think about this is doing things in a safe way.
Because, there is an element of risk, in doing things like shrink wrapping - one of the most obvious things that should be done - is that the boat being wrapped should be in an isolated area - well away from other structure, property etc.
As I said earlier, I suspect that the reason for the fire, was probably not directly casued from the shrink wrap on fire, but was probably caused, by the ignition of bilge gas fumes - or something similar.
As is the case with many things in life - folks do things all the times - in which there is an element of risk. Just use common sense to minimize risk to others, other property - etc. Just use common sense, and life gets a lot easier, and more trouble free.
Take care
REW
Waterfowler
10-22-2002, 10:21 AM
I heard they had Hwy 61 closed due to the smoke the other day. Was this the same fire?? I bet the poor guy feels terrible. I know I would. I hate it when I make dumb mistakes. Luckily I haven't made any that cost me as much as it will him.
Husky
10-22-2002, 11:35 AM
Yes, thank goodness most of our mistakes don't have consequences of that magnitude! That one moment of carlessness will alter his life forever.
Husky
10-22-2002, 11:40 AM
REW,
We are on the same page.... Its just terrible this guy either was not aware of the owners posting of no shrink wrapping, or the ignoring of it. This guy is in for a real rough time.
Airwave(OH)
10-23-2002, 04:38 AM
The big mistake here was not using the proper equipment. A hand held propane torch? NOT
Husky
10-23-2002, 06:24 AM
The heat guns are often referred to as a torch. In fact, many began their service as just that, before they were used for shrinking. Later, specific guns developed for the process. All of these are hand held, and the majority are propane powered (some are natural gas).
So when they mention hand held propane torch, I don't think they are referring to the type you braze and solder with.
JohnF
10-23-2002, 08:51 AM
Why doesn't someone outline at least the safety issues of how it should be done.
I don't shrink wrap mine since I can sometime find open water all winter.
John