Ray

So is there a "most common" type? I mean if you check 100 boats would a majority share a common gas?

I'll get a photo tomorrow, there's more possibilities than I thought. I like Boulter's by the way, very helpful and patient with a new owner

I'm learning a lot here... many thanks indeed!

Thank you.. it's a good job I asked, I have a good idea what I'm looking at now :)

Thanks Alan, I need to go and have a good look at what's already there by the sound of it. I didn't know about Propane/Butane either! Once I've checked it out I will add a second bottle, the same as what is in there.

Left handed thread! That's good to know in advance - thank you.

I have never used gas bottles, for anything... ever! Common sense of course is step one and I understand that escaped gas can sink to the bilge. My boat has one canister, it's in a dedicated gas bottle locker and all looks well. Apart from not being able to make a cup of tea, how do I know when it's empty (or getting empty)? Do all bottles have the same gas in them? How do I know what to buy? This really feels like the proverbial silly question but after all it is gas so I think it's worth asking rather than experimenting!

Thank you, I'm thinking it may be a good idea as a preventive measure.

Would you recommend using Soltron (or similar) every time you fuel up?

As everyone is being so helpful with my 'new boat owner' questions I would probably exceed any limit, however high it was set 

Thanks everyone, 2 good recommendations noted ready for when the time comes. (I tried to "like" everyone's contribution but I exceeded the board's limit, but all of your advice is much appreciated)

Many thanks all, it's always good to have a recommendation!

That's really useful to know, many thanks for your reply!

My first BSS is due in April, are they similar to a car's MOT in that you can have them done up to a month early and keep the same renewal date?

That's what we thought, we will have friends and family aboard of course but we live near enough the mooring for them to stay with us at home and go on day cruises, only Gill and I will be overnighting aboard.

Me too.. 4 weeks and I'm hooked, as soon as I got aboard it was love at first cruise. Nothing beats being "on Safari" :)

There's just something about them isn't there? :)

Thank you all :) Ian, we are at Potter in Herbert Woods marina. The guys there really helped us out when we had our 'false start' and it's only 15 or 20 minutes drive from home. It's almost like mooring in the back garden :)

Hello everyone, I joined in mid December and should have introduced myself before this! My better half, Gill and I retired last year and moved to Norfolk which has always felt like our spiritual home. Our first holiday as a married couple was on a boat called Conquest from Stalham Yacht Services, getting on for 40 years ago and so began our love affair with Norfolk in general and the Broads in particular. After a false start due to inexperience having bought a boat that didn't suit us we now are the proud owners of a Hampton Safari Mk3 which we love and suits us perfectly. We took ownership just before Christmas, having our first short cruise out on the 23rd December, lunch in a nice pub and home. Best Christmas present ever. Members here have already been generous with advice and I look forward to quietly fitting in with such a great group.

A checklist is a very good idea, you know where you are and that the important stuff is taken care of. I guess that's why they are used in flying.

I'll find the video and do that I think, thanks for the tip.

Both the standard self inflating type had a replace by date in 2011... For the time being we do have a couple of the older style bulky ones. I'm very grateful for the advice I've received here, especially when you consider I can't swim!!!

Thank you Smoggy

Thank you Alan So glad I joined the forum, here was some important safety information that I wouldn't have known about!

Thanks for that advice, I didn't know about being in date! I will have another look when I go back to the boat, probably at the weekend, and take a photo of the D ring ones at the same time. Will the standard ones have a date stamp of some kind to look for?