Hello - I am relatively new to boating and am taking a huge plunge and looking to buy a houseboat to live on! I have found one that looks good (but I am still going to have it inspected by a pro-I've heard too many horror stories!) but I have a few questions:



1. It doesn't have a generator. The heat and hot water and range are propane. Is not having a generator a problem? The boat currently has 3 batteries; 1 for the motor and 2x10 hour batteries for the 12 volt power. Is that ok or is a generator really a "must have"?



2. There is no hot water heater... it has a "heat as you go" device that heats the water as it is going to the faucets. I played with it and it seems to work great... but I was wondering if anyone is more familiar with them, and knows differently...?

Well thanks for any advice you have... and any other words of wisdom you can pass along!

The boat is a 1985 45' Pleasure Craft and will be in Lake Pleasant, AZ (near Phoenix)

Thanks
crustecian39061.8384143518

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Make sure that the marina will allow the use of propane while in the marina. We are not allowed to use anything with open flame while docked. This includes barbecue grills (both charcoal and propane), range, refrigerator, and heating devices. We got an electric barbecue and don't use the range or propane barbecue while docked.

We had a propane 'instant' water heater in our travel trailer when I was a child, half a century ago, and it was wonderful. Enough hot water for everybody, and I do mean HOT. So what brand is yours? Where do I find another one?

I'd like to see some statistics supporting that 'no propane appliances in use while docked' rule. On the face of it it sounds just plain superstitious and silly. Not that an out-of-control dock fire wouldn't be catastrophic, but do the nannies run around squirting fire extinguishers at cigarette smokers and mosquito-repellant coils? I don't believe I've ever heard of a housefire caused by a gas stove or waterheater. Now, tipped-over electric space heaters, bad wiring, and other electrical malfunctions, that's a different story. Maybe they should add a rule forbidding electrical devices...just to be really really safe.

< => Amelia,

Three years ago there was a fire at another marina on Flaming Gorge that was caused by a propane grill that ignited gasoline fumes of unknown origin. At least that is the theory. The entire marina operation was lost. I don't know how many boats were lost or damaged.

If you want to know more, contact Cedar Springs Marina on Flaming Gorge.

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Graybear39063.2908912037

Most marinas outlaw gas grills however I don't know of any that exclude built in, approved, propane galley appliances. There are a lot of boats equipped with propane appliances both power and sail. Some also have alcohol stoves. OLD HOUSEBOATER39063.3035069444

We had a propane 'instant' water heater in our travel trailer when I was a child, half a century ago, and it was wonderful. Enough hot water for everybody, and I do mean HOT. So what brand is yours? Where do I find another one?



I have on in the motorhome "Valiant"

They still make them today, they are fine, i never run of hot water in the shower.

See a RV dealer or a parts suppley house for them.

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OHB,

Now you know of at least one. Lucerne Valley Marina on Flaming Gorge doesn't allow any propane or charcoal appliances to be used while docked.

Ohhhh. THAT explains it. If I lived in Flaming Gorge, I, too, might be reluctant to tempt the fates.