Tas man fined over fiery dinghy joy-ride

It was a crime described as shambolic and stupid.

After a few drinks, John Darren Rowbottom decided to take someone else's dinghy for a joyride.

But in the darkness of night, the deckhand used a cigarette lighter so he could see where to top up the fuel.

"Unfortunately somewhat too late, (you) realised the risk that you had created," Supreme Court of Tasmania Judge Shan Tennent said on Friday in sentencing Rowbottom.

Fuel had already spilled in the vessel and quickly caught fire, and Rowbottom abandoned ship and called the fire brigade.

He was later treated in hospital for burns to his hand, face and arm.

"What you embarked upon in the transfer of fuel in the dark with a lit cigarette lighter can only be described as absolutely stupid, and it had significant consequences, not only for the owner of the dinghy, but also for you," Justice Tennent said.

The dinghy, which had been moored at the Tasmanian west coast town of Strahan, was damaged to the value of about $15,000 in the 2010 incident.

Rowbottom's actions were described by his lawyer as shambolic.

"With respect I have to agree," Justice Tennent said.

Rowbottom, now 26, pleaded guilty to setting fire to the boat and was convicted and fined $1000.

He will also pay compensation for the boat damage.