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.  

I bought my boat five years ago and it had a fire extinguisher in it, but somehow the pin got lost.  One day I was putting my anchors in the boat and I bumped it with the anchor.  Out came whatever was left in it!  I replaced it with a new one, but waited a whole year thinking it was fine, since the gauge still was reading in the green.  When I finally tested it before the next boating season nothing came out!  I have a tiller model and the extinguisher is right next to me.  Hopefully the pin doesn't fall out again because that sure made a mess on my boat when that stuff came out!

Prop-buster - If your fire extinguisher doesn't have a gauge on it you need to take a second look. It may be a "Pindicator" and those have been recalled.

https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/support/product-alerts/recall-kidde-fire-extinguisher/

Okay, you guy's have me thinking. My extinguisher is mounted right next to me by the steering wheel and shift lever, so that's good. Even though it shows in the green on the gauge, it's over six years old. So I will be purchasing a new one. Better safe than sorry. My question is, what is a good brand to get? 

Thanks for the replies, JJ 

All good points Piker. My fire happened right at launch. I hit trim switch on motor to trim up and it got stuck on in trim up. Wiring on motor doesn’t take long to heat up and start on fire. I didn’t have a battery power switch at time. If I could have turned battery power off, it would have been a lot less damage.  I sent wife to pier with pee bucket to get water. I knocked down fire with extinguisher and was trying to figure out how to secure power. Finally realized the in line fuse and disconnected it. Used water to cool off motor. Damage was done very quickly. 

Dry chemical fire extinguishers CAN and DO put fires out...they either remove the oxygen or heat from the 'fire triangle'...they either separate the fuel from oxygen or dissipate heat. You do not need water for extinguishing a gas / oil fire. In fact, water will make it worse in most cases (think frozen turkey in a fryer or trying to spray a fryer fire with a water hose)...The idea is to prevent the fire from spreading from the outboard into the rest of the boat. If you have a small fire on your motor and cannot put it out with a dry chemical extinguisher, you either 1) have too small of an extinguisher or 2) are not using it properly. I have a standard dry chemical extinguisher in my boat and would never buy those tiny white marine ones (although they would be 'legal') due to the fact that I'd rather have the extra fire retardant and not need it than run out and say "Damn, wish I would have bought a bigger extinguisher." Also, I would rather have a bigger one and be able to assist someone that has a large ski boat, bass boat, etc. that holds 30, 40, 50 gallons of gasoline and has a larger engine if needed. I have a 16.5 boat with a 90hp outboard. My extinguisher is WAY overkill for my boat, but it doesn't take up THAT much more space in the storage compartment than those little ones that would technically be 'legal'...Good advice in this department is "Don't be the guy that brings a knife to a gun fight." If you're in a boat in rough water, have small kids, etc. fleeing should be a LAST resort if you have a small fire. I like to know that I could put out just about any fire that starts on my boat and then some...

It’s happened to me too Prop. The extinguisher knocks down fire, but you have to use water to cool it down To take heat out of Fire Triangle. It really depends on the circumstances of the fire as to how you have to combat it. Securing power from the battery is also very important. Too many intangibles . Almost every fire is different.

you talking about an inboard/outboard catching on fire or a fishing boat?....my fire extinguisher doesn't even have a dial telling me it is full....and what is the point?....if my engine (50 horse 2 cycle) catches on fire (and happened to a good friend of mine) that fire extinguisher is worthless to start with.....pffffft and done....it is a good to be thinking maybe about a better one....in case....but mine meets all requirements...have been checked and asked if it was charged....I really don't know...but I told them if I try it and it works you will buy me a new one.....one time thing...I get your point...but just sayin

Just another note: Marine Extinguishers are white. The only difference I could ever tell between a marine extinguisher and a normal red BC or ABC is the color, and a UL stamped serial number on ext bottle, and the price. You’re paying for the stamped number. All the parts are the same along with the Dry Chemical powder. I believe the Coast Guard are the only ones checking for MarineExtinguishers . Don’t know if they check for service date or not. Just make sure your extinguisher is within 6 yrs of being new or service date sticker put on there by who serviced it.

All good reminders, thanks

Check mine before almost every trip out as we all should.  Keep it in a rod locker so I always know where it’s at.

A lot of people don’t know how long they’re good for. The Kiddie’s you by at Menards, are not made to be maintained. So they’re good for 6 yrs if pressure is still showing on gauge. A commercial grade extinguisher can have maintenance done every 6 yrs. Basically you’re blowing out the old powder, replacing all rings and the pin, cleaning head, and replace gauge if necessary. Almost every extinguisher I see in someone’s boat has expired on Powder life expectancy. Might work, and might not. If you use the cheap Kiddie’s, just make sure to replace them every 6 yrs and you should be good to go. Once you take a Kiddie apart, it’s going to leak pressure before 6 yrs because of inferior machining. ABC or BC are both good for boats. 
The reason they don’t work is either loss of pressure(and sometimes gauge says it has pressure, which it doesn’t), or powder cakes up/hardens up on bottom where down tube directs powder up to nozzle. 
Either way, you’re taking a chance on it working after 6 yrs without maintenance. You can tell the year of extinguisher by either looking at bottom, or one of the bottom corners on back label.

Had mine on the helm of my old boat , right there, easy to get if needed, now having said that, my new boat its buried in the front deck compartment and will be changing that ASAP before hitting the water again,  . 

I keep mine in the cupholder to the right of the steering wheel!

If you need it, it doesn’t do any good if you have to hunt for it.