...Question is, you must have a backflame arrestor on the Carb, correct?
I have to check my CG Regs, and NY State regs too, but I do believe it's mandatory.
Yes, the flame arrestor is there, a standard part of every A4.
How long to you run the blowers before you turn her over?
5 minutes. I also usually leave it on when running just to help with the heat buildup.
Do you have an auto extinguishing system?
No. Manual extinguishers in the cabin and sail lockers. And a fireport on the engine cover so an extinguisher can be inserted without opening the cover.
A couple of other thoughts from my personal perspective (YMMV):
- Propane, butane, and dingy outboard gas are often still present on diesel powered boats, and have explosive potential. You still need to be careful.
- Every diesel sailboat I've ever been on has a faint reek of diesel fuel throughout. It seems that if you spill one drop of diesel, you can never get it all up, and it smells forever! With gas, if you spill it, once it's mopped up and evaporates, you're done with it.
- Because of the low fuel pressures (2 - 3 psi) in the A4, fuel leaks are far less common than high-pressure diesel systems.