Hunter 31 Need advice on a small non-electric heater to just take the chill off on a cold night while anchored out. Doesn't get that cold here, usually 40's or 50's. Don't want anything too expensive as it won't be used that often. Kerosene? Butane? Ideas appreciated.
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Sigmar / Newport Heaters
I have been researching heaters for my Irwin Citation 35 for several months now. After reviewing everything I can find, the Newport and Sigmar bulkhead heaters look like the ticket. I was looking at a Whitby 45 in Beverly MA last January in 20 Deg weather, the companionway way open to an enclosed cockpit and his diesel fired Newport kept the boat cosy and dry. These use abt 1 gal a day. If you don't run diesel they have coal/wood pellet stoves or propane. Personnally, I like the diesel for safety & can connect to my existing tank. I'll be installing one or the other this spring, just not sure which. Need to talk to a few more people and get a copy of “The Warm Dry Boat” by Roger McAfee first.Check out thier web sites.
I have been researching heaters for my Irwin Citation 35 for several months now. After reviewing everything I can find, the Newport and Sigmar bulkhead heaters look like the ticket. I was looking at a Whitby 45 in Beverly MA last January in 20 Deg weather, the companionway way open to an enclosed cockpit and his diesel fired Newport kept the boat cosy and dry. These use abt 1 gal a day. If you don't run diesel they have coal/wood pellet stoves or propane. Personnally, I like the diesel for safety & can connect to my existing tank. I'll be installing one or the other this spring, just not sure which. Need to talk to a few more people and get a copy of “The Warm Dry Boat” by Roger McAfee first.Check out thier web sites.
Coleman catalytic heater
I got one of these last year at and can't belive how well it works. It is safe to use in confined areas it is very small and portable and warms our Hunter 380 very well. Cost about $30.00 and goes for about 10 hours on one of the small disposable propane cyliders
I got one of these last year at and can't belive how well it works. It is safe to use in confined areas it is very small and portable and warms our Hunter 380 very well. Cost about $30.00 and goes for about 10 hours on one of the small disposable propane cyliders
Gary, we had a Wallas forced air kerosene...
heater on our H28 that produced about 4,500 BTU. Wall mounted, easy to maintain and turned on with the flick of a switch. Scan Marine out of Seattle is the North American distributor. A simple google search on their name should bring up the model information. Great little machine. Terry
heater on our H28 that produced about 4,500 BTU. Wall mounted, easy to maintain and turned on with the flick of a switch. Scan Marine out of Seattle is the North American distributor. A simple google search on their name should bring up the model information. Great little machine. Terry
Advice on cabin heater
A simple installation with the Force 10 Cozy Cabin Propane. About 8-10,000 BTU. But the caution is that you will be adding yet another propane appliance. The Force 10 has an oxygen depletion sensor for additional safety. Uses a 1" diamter flue pipe. I have the Diesel version of the Force 10 Cozy Cabin. Requires priming. Generates soot. It's OK, but I wouldn't recommend it very highly. If I had it to do again, I would go for the Wallas 30D. It has a double walled pipe, the outer pipe drawing in fresh air for combustion chamber. Very safe and very efficient. Also very expensive if all you need is a bit of warmth to take off the morning chill. Harvey Karten
A simple installation with the Force 10 Cozy Cabin Propane. About 8-10,000 BTU. But the caution is that you will be adding yet another propane appliance. The Force 10 has an oxygen depletion sensor for additional safety. Uses a 1" diamter flue pipe. I have the Diesel version of the Force 10 Cozy Cabin. Requires priming. Generates soot. It's OK, but I wouldn't recommend it very highly. If I had it to do again, I would go for the Wallas 30D. It has a double walled pipe, the outer pipe drawing in fresh air for combustion chamber. Very safe and very efficient. Also very expensive if all you need is a bit of warmth to take off the morning chill. Harvey Karten
Gary, as a follow-up the Wallas model...
referenced in my earlier post is the 1300. The website is scanmarineusa.com. Wallas also makes the 30D and 40D, both more than you need, IMHO. The 1300 that we had drew combustion air and vented combustion gas through the same pipe stack, which on our boat was through the coach roof. Terry
referenced in my earlier post is the 1300. The website is scanmarineusa.com. Wallas also makes the 30D and 40D, both more than you need, IMHO. The 1300 that we had drew combustion air and vented combustion gas through the same pipe stack, which on our boat was through the coach roof. Terry
Dickinson
WE like our newport propane heater by dickenson. Uses outside air though a double walled flue. Works great and fireplace/flames are nice.
WE like our newport propane heater by dickenson. Uses outside air though a double walled flue. Works great and fireplace/flames are nice.
What about this one?
Here in the deep south, I really don't need a permanantly mounted heater with a vent thru the cabintop and all that. I like Andy's coleman and Mr. Heater....this is more in line with my thinking. Question.....check the link and tell me if this type will cause carbon monoxide poisoning. It looks to be the same concept as the old reliable coleman lantern with the liquid coleman fuel, and its adjustable from 3k-5k btu. But....I do want to wake the next morning. Thanks for all's input.
Here in the deep south, I really don't need a permanantly mounted heater with a vent thru the cabintop and all that. I like Andy's coleman and Mr. Heater....this is more in line with my thinking. Question.....check the link and tell me if this type will cause carbon monoxide poisoning. It looks to be the same concept as the old reliable coleman lantern with the liquid coleman fuel, and its adjustable from 3k-5k btu. But....I do want to wake the next morning. Thanks for all's input.
Dickenson Newport Diesel
Love that diesel stove, now that I know how to light it properly. The first couple of times I covered the deck and myself with soot. Now I use it from October to March here in the Gulf Islands of Western Canada. - warm comforting flame in winter - leave it on underway - very dry heat, removes moisture in the boat - uses no diesel hardly - like sitting around an indoor fireplace - dries cold, wet clothing great - leave it on a little on zero celsius nights Works in Canada, might be overkill in Pirates Cove, AL. on a 31 foot boat. 40-50 Farenheit sounds positively tropical to Canadians. We put a minus sign in front of those numbers in our winters. Peter
Love that diesel stove, now that I know how to light it properly. The first couple of times I covered the deck and myself with soot. Now I use it from October to March here in the Gulf Islands of Western Canada. - warm comforting flame in winter - leave it on underway - very dry heat, removes moisture in the boat - uses no diesel hardly - like sitting around an indoor fireplace - dries cold, wet clothing great - leave it on a little on zero celsius nights Works in Canada, might be overkill in Pirates Cove, AL. on a 31 foot boat. 40-50 Farenheit sounds positively tropical to Canadians. We put a minus sign in front of those numbers in our winters. Peter
CAUTION USING CATALYTIC HEATER!!!!!
i have checked the coleman web site and their catalytic heater brochures warn that they deplete (remove) oxygen from the atmosphere and should only be used where a fresh air source is available... the brochures detail the size of the source... PLEASE BE CAREFUL FOLKS... oxygen depletion can be dangerous and potentially deadly... coleman suggests a fresh air opening of at least 3 square inches and suggests you NEVER use the units while sleeping what the manufacturer states is good enough for me!!! sailorhayes@hotmail.com
i have checked the coleman web site and their catalytic heater brochures warn that they deplete (remove) oxygen from the atmosphere and should only be used where a fresh air source is available... the brochures detail the size of the source... PLEASE BE CAREFUL FOLKS... oxygen depletion can be dangerous and potentially deadly... coleman suggests a fresh air opening of at least 3 square inches and suggests you NEVER use the units while sleeping what the manufacturer states is good enough for me!!! sailorhayes@hotmail.com
Catalytic heater
I agree with Keystrokers concerns and I did read and research before I bought the heater. The thing that sold me was that it uses very little oxygen and produces so very little in the way of harmfull gasses. We use ours a couple of hours in the evening and a couple in the morning. I also have over 6 square inches of air gap across the top of the hatch boards when they are closed so fresh air was not a concern
I agree with Keystrokers concerns and I did read and research before I bought the heater. The thing that sold me was that it uses very little oxygen and produces so very little in the way of harmfull gasses. We use ours a couple of hours in the evening and a couple in the morning. I also have over 6 square inches of air gap across the top of the hatch boards when they are closed so fresh air was not a concern
ORIGO Alcohol Heater
Check out the Origo heat pal 5100 alcohol space heater. It serves also as a small stove. It is relatively safe as the by-products of burning alcohol are primarily CO2 and H2O. Use it with some ventilation and you can heat a small cabin. The price is around $90. http://www.origo-sweden.com/products_f.html
Check out the Origo heat pal 5100 alcohol space heater. It serves also as a small stove. It is relatively safe as the by-products of burning alcohol are primarily CO2 and H2O. Use it with some ventilation and you can heat a small cabin. The price is around $90. http://www.origo-sweden.com/products_f.html
For a quick source of cabin heat
secure a clay pot upside down on your stove and light the burner. It will give you a surprising amount of radiant and convective heat without installing anything. I would not leave it going unattended though. Another option is to cook something. Hot chocolate for a Peppermint Patty will warm you two ways. Cookies are good too. Equipment to install has been discussed pretty well. I have an Ardic? espar like unit which is noisy and not efficient and uses up batteries. I would like to have the propane Dickensen but have no personal experience. I have heard lots of good things about them. You might rethink the stove idea if you use CNG. The cost of fuel would be excessive unless you are just one of those rich boat owners...
secure a clay pot upside down on your stove and light the burner. It will give you a surprising amount of radiant and convective heat without installing anything. I would not leave it going unattended though. Another option is to cook something. Hot chocolate for a Peppermint Patty will warm you two ways. Cookies are good too. Equipment to install has been discussed pretty well. I have an Ardic? espar like unit which is noisy and not efficient and uses up batteries. I would like to have the propane Dickensen but have no personal experience. I have heard lots of good things about them. You might rethink the stove idea if you use CNG. The cost of fuel would be excessive unless you are just one of those rich boat owners...
Cabin heat
I think any form of combustion be it a heater, lantern or the alcohol stove with clay pot will need oxygen and therefore should not be used in an enclosed environment. Another factor to consider is most boats exchange air at a high point compared the rest of the cabin. Watch out for gases that are heaver than air and displace the oxygen in the cabin. I'd sugest you grab your main squeeze and create heat from friction. Mike
I think any form of combustion be it a heater, lantern or the alcohol stove with clay pot will need oxygen and therefore should not be used in an enclosed environment. Another factor to consider is most boats exchange air at a high point compared the rest of the cabin. Watch out for gases that are heaver than air and displace the oxygen in the cabin. I'd sugest you grab your main squeeze and create heat from friction. Mike
I like the warm squeeze idea too, but....
if she feels warm to me, then I feel cold to her.....back to the starting line. Speaking of ventlilation, I have one solar vent in the forward hatch, two cowl vents in the salon, and a 10"x4" SS vent in the companionway, and a mushroom vent in the head. With this much ventilation, I can't imagine a problem with a small 3-5K heater.....what do you think? Also, Patrick....I have read the idea you mentioned, but what about a cast iron pot rather than a clay pot? I have the "keepers" for my Origo stove so as to keep the pot from falling off. And how would this compare to a 3-5K heater?
if she feels warm to me, then I feel cold to her.....back to the starting line. Speaking of ventlilation, I have one solar vent in the forward hatch, two cowl vents in the salon, and a 10"x4" SS vent in the companionway, and a mushroom vent in the head. With this much ventilation, I can't imagine a problem with a small 3-5K heater.....what do you think? Also, Patrick....I have read the idea you mentioned, but what about a cast iron pot rather than a clay pot? I have the "keepers" for my Origo stove so as to keep the pot from falling off. And how would this compare to a 3-5K heater?
lantern
I have used a coleman lantern to heat my boat. They burn for several hours and put out a lot of heat. Since the water is rarely below about 50 degrees we've found that closing the hatches alone is almost enough heat.
I have used a coleman lantern to heat my boat. They burn for several hours and put out a lot of heat. Since the water is rarely below about 50 degrees we've found that closing the hatches alone is almost enough heat.
diesel heat
I like the idea of burning diesel for heat and particularly like the look of the dickinson bulkhead heaters. I have read the info on them and they say to use #1 diesel oil. Out here in California the diesel that is avalible is #2. Will the #2 burn as efficiently and cleanly? Anyone have experience with this that they can tell me about? Thanks, Liam.
I like the idea of burning diesel for heat and particularly like the look of the dickinson bulkhead heaters. I have read the info on them and they say to use #1 diesel oil. Out here in California the diesel that is avalible is #2. Will the #2 burn as efficiently and cleanly? Anyone have experience with this that they can tell me about? Thanks, Liam.
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