Fire Extinguishers,

Just though to post this after seeing the one boat go up in flames on Pewaukee lake this weekend. So Fire  Extinguishers , wheres yours ? Is it full and still have enough pressure on the gauge ? Is it accessible where you can grab it quickly , or is in buried in a compartment where you have to look for it ? How's your batteries,  fuel systems , is your motor cooling enough when you are out on the water ? And last thing , what's the plan in God forbid your rig does have a fire ? Just wanted to throw this out there after seeing one pleasure boat get destroyed by fire while out on the water , and at least everyone on board was accounted for and will sail another day.  

If it’s 6 yrs old or older, it needs service or if not servicable, throw away. It’s the age of the powder that requires 6 yr service.

Boat is mounted under the drivers seat,  Camper mounted at the door.   Had a fire in LP fridge of camper this summer, could of bad news, was able to hit it hard and fast to prevent any damage other than clean up.

Stuff happens fast does not hurt to pop that extinguisher out once a year to give it a shake and make sure it's still charged.

good luck

mounted mine under the console

Looking to mount mine somewhere easily accessible. I'd rather have it handy and save the rod lockers for other storage. One option is upright in front of the throttle control, but is there a concern with it being exposed to the elements? Would sticking a zip loc bag over it to shield it be sufficient? 

FinBender,

I meant they put out the same flammable materials...I'm guessing the difference has something to do with being rated for Class A combustibles as well (mine is a Class A,B,C). My point was that if the USCG requires a Class B,C extinguisher, why does it have to be painted white with a stamped serial number and be USCG approved? A Class A,B,C extinguisher is rated to put out everything that a USCG Class B,C extinguisher is, and then some...so why can't I use that? Makes no sense to me...But, like I said, keep a fancy white one in your boat to be 'legal' and a spare red Class A,B,C one to use as a backup or to assist others if needed. Problem solved.

Piker - They are different. Marine fire extinguishers contain sodium bicarbonate. Household ones contain Monoammonium Phosphate. Why? No clue. I do know that sodium bicarbonate is easier to clean up though. 

Finbender,

Not really...at least not cheap. Once you reach a vessel length of 26', the USCG just requires you to have two on board, so there isn't really a need for a huge marine extinguisher. My recommendation is to keep your marine extinguisher handy and toss a standard red extinguisher in a storage compartment or rod locker. There's nothing that says ALL extinguishers on board must be USCG approved...just that you must have at least one until you reach 26' in vessel length. They all have basically the same contents inside, so it is really kind of foolish you have to have a 'marine' extinguisher to begin with...it's literally the same extinguisher but painted white with a serial number on it...oh, and they require them to be sold with a cheap, plastic mounting bracket and strap...

This talk about a bigger fire extinguisher had me take a look for a 5lb marine USCG approved one. Looked on some major retailers web sites for such a thing and found nothing.  Is a big USCG marine approved fire extinguisher even a thing?

From the WDNR Boating Regulations:

I would have to double check, but I think you have to have one on smaller boats as well if there is an enclosed space that can trap/hold fuel fumes/vapors (ie battery compartment, storage compartment, casticg deck, etc)...

Gobbler,  if you have an outboard on your boat regardless of length of that boat you should have a ABC type extinguisher on board , I believe the regs are anything over 16 feet but even on my old 15 foot bass boat I had one , it's just one of those things you should have incase you need it but hope you never have to use it . 

Confused,so does it have to be a marine rated for a boat ? Or just for great lakes,bago system ?

Kidde has had more recalls than Arnold Swarznegger.

I can see shaking it but seriously, gauge or not that thing is worthless unless you go the extra mile for a bigger one....meets requirements.....pffft done....not sure how you check yours....pffft done...get a new one or get refilled.....and keep a container that you can  pee in and  toss water

You should shake your extinguisher at least once a year so the powder doesn't cake up in the bottom.