install Keg system on boat

A

AllTideUp

Member
May 6, 2013
200
Northern Virginia
Boat Info
2003 SeaRay 380 Sundancer
Engines
8.1s - 370HP
I'm looking into installing a keg system on the boat. Anyone else ever do this? Wonder how a keg would do when under way and other cruise conditions.
 
Alltiedup, please don't take offense at this but I'm glad you're on the opposite side of the country from me. I'm dead set against drinking while boating and here's why....

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This was done by a drunk boater who didn't see my boat even though we had all the lights on including cabin and cockpit lights. What we don't need is another drunk at the helm. Now if you're planning on not consuming any booze until you're anchored or tied to a dock, please forgive my incorrect assumption.

Sorry, but if I have to move the boat I don't consume ANY alcohol. After the anchor is down or I'm tied to a dock, bring 'em on. But until then I'm a teetotaler.
 
I don't drink a sip when I am underway or have plans to be underway, or may need to be underway in an emergency, which means no drinks while anchored, only in a slip or securely tied on a mooring in good weather.

My guests tend to like to drink though, but I can't imagine why you would need a keg on a boat the size of a 340, 3 or 4 12 packs would seem like plenty for the 10 or 12 total people you can get on one of these boats. Where would you put it too? Engine room would be too hot for a keg and I don't see any other space large enough on a 340 that wouldn't take away from needed storage.
 
GoFirstClass, wow looks like that was quite an impact. Hope no one was hurt!!

I don't drive while drunk, I set my anchor and hold tight for the weekend.

The reason I was thinking about this is I brew my own beer and was thinking of ways to take it along. These aren't 15 gallon kegs, but I brew in 5 gallon kegs.
 
ATU, The three of us on my boat all received pretty severe whiplash injuries. Don't know about the two people on the boat that hit us. Don't really care either.

AllTideUp said:
I don't drive while drunk, I set my anchor and hold tight for the weekend.
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Really? And who determines the point at which you are drunk and no longer fit to be a skipper? One of the intoxicated guests on your boat? I'm sorry, but I have pretty strong feelings about those who choose to pilot their boat after they've had any amount of intoxicants. It's one thing to drive a car after having a beer or two. At that point you're most likely under the legal limit. It's a totally different thing to try to skipper a boat after drinking. Boats handle differently, don't have brakes, and there aren't any white lines to focus on.

BTW, the guy who hit my boat--his blood alcohol reading was .09. Just slightly above the legal limit. Was he drunk? Legally yes, but he probably would have described himself as "Just a bit buzzed". The big question is--was he too drunk to be driving his boat? I think the results speak for themselves.
 
GFC given that fairly low BAC you must I'm sure grudgingly admit the possibility that the accident may have happened not because of alcohol but because he was a crappy skipper. Guy might have plowed into you having had zero drinks.

I still agree with your position 100%, and I would add that being anchored is not a ticket to start drinking, what if some weather came up or you had to pull anchor and move suddenly for whatever reason. That is why I don't drink unless I am in my slip or in a guest slip somewhere or securely moored to fore and aft moorings in a protected harbor with no chance of having to get underway. Just not worth the risk IMHO.
 
Dsybok said:
GFC given that fairly low BAC you must I'm sure grudgingly admit the possibility that the accident may have happened not because of alcohol but because he was a crappy skipper. Guy might have plowed into you having had zero drinks.

I still agree with your position 100%, and I would add that being anchored is not a ticket to start drinking, what if some weather came up or you had to pull anchor and move suddenly for whatever reason. That is why I don't drink unless I am in my slip or in a guest slip somewhere or securely moored to fore and aft moorings in a protected harbor with no chance of having to get underway. Just not worth the risk IMHO.
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100% agreed. I had a buyer come out, unexpectedly, for my last boat who was upset that I wouldn't take him out as I'd been drinking.

Its just not worth the risk!
 
I would have to agree with Dsybok, other factors(Drugs) had to play a role in your accident! I'm not saying that alcohol didn't play a role but that's some serious damage for 0.09 BAC. Boats are just the same as cars in my opinion even though they don't have brakes because 2ft over the line and bam you have a head on collision. How do we know that he doesn't carry a breathalyzer like I do on board to ensure he is not driving over the legal limit! Im sorry but I just object to everyone and their brother jumping on each other's throat because they don't run their boat and have the same rules as them. Don't get me wrong, I am not condoning him to operate his vessel while drinking but he just asked a simple question.
 
Also just a side note, depending on how long after the accident they took his BAC level could play a role in it being 0.09. Sorry to get off topic just thinking aloud.
 
The op simply asked a question then got accused of driving drunk... I don't think that was fair.

I have been T-boned by a drunk driver in a intersection with my family in the car and I didn't take offense to the question.
 
I know this isn't really your question, yet I'll give you my thoughts.

I don't think boating and drinking mix. I'm not saying guests can't drink or it's unsafe when you're tied to the dock.

Though, if anything were to happen, I can't imagine how an attorney would spin you having an installed keg aboard. It's one thing if it's a bottle, or some wine, perhaps a case of beer. But a keg? Man, I don't know about that unless you are tied up at Havasu and are prepared for the consequences.
 
Why is a keg a bad idea? The man likes his home brewed beer. Not sure anyone is making a big deal about those who have blenders, ice makers, a cabinet full of spirits, fridge full of beer, or a wine rack. He never said he plans on drinking the entire keg at once, a keg is a way to transport and dispense beer.

No matter what alcoholic beverages you have on the boat, you are the captain and need to make the right decision.
 
Blueone said:
The op simply asked a question then got accused of driving drunk... I don't think that was fair.

I have been T-boned by a drunk driver in a intersection with my family in the car and I didn't take offense to the question.
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Well said. The man said he wants his home brew while at anchor. Get off your high horses.
 
A few issues that I can think of outside of the concerns of being drunk...

Foam. The boat is going to shake the keg a lot.
Temp control. Too warm, and you get foam.
CO2 storage. Even the smaller tanks are going to take space
 
Finally, after sixteen posts, someone posted something useful. Thank you k9medic.
 
Im not sure what the cockpit setup is on the 340, but on my 400 I think you could do the old "college dorm" route and drill a tap into the door of the cockpit fridge. Keep the keg and all included hardware in the fridge. You would probably need to upgrade the fridge, and you wouldn't be able to put anything else in it. But it could work.
 
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