Operator fueled trailered vesssel fo full capacity the evening before the accident.  Operator launched boat and drove a short distance to beach area where they camped for the night.  Operator and two passengers got into vessel the next am .  The weather was hot and humid with little wind.  Operator started vessel  and the engine cover blew off as fire errupted. It is not clear whether the explosion and fire began as he cranked engine or after the engine was running for a short time.  Operator and occupants jumped out of vessel and attempted to extinguish fire with fire extinguishers along with help from neighboring boaters.  Fire was eventually contained later when the fire department arrived by boat but boat was already burned to water line.
Princeton                     