I want to install a cabin heater in my O'Day 27 so I can do some coastal cruising this winter. I'm considering installing a propane stove and a propane cabin heater, or an alcohol stove and I don't know what kind of heater. I like the alcohol stoves but propane seems to be the way to go for cabin heat. I also like the idea of staying with one type of fuel for both. I have a gasoline Atomic 4 engine but I doubt that gas is a good option for a cabin heater fuel. I don't think diesel is a good option since I don't like the smell and I don't have it on board for anything else. I would like opinions on the following questions: 1. What are the Pros and Cons of the different fuels? Alcohol, Diesel, Fuel Pellets/Charcoal and Propane. By the way, I've read the alcohol stove discussion, and I am Not trying to start a fight about fuel and safety. I know propane is dangerous and therefore expensive to install safely. 2. Which fuel provides the most heat for the cabin? 3. Which is the most economical fuel to use? 4. Which is the most convenient fuel to use as far as lighting? As far as refilling? 5. Which fuel is the easiest to purchase and get back to the boat while cruising the Gulf and Atlantic coast of Florida and the Bahamas? 6. Are there any alcohol cabin heaters on the market? Who makes them? How will do they work? I'm familiar with alcohol stoves and I like the simplicity of them. 7. What brand and model cabin heaters do you recommend? 8. What safety suggestions should I consider? What ever I do, I will have a carbon monoxide detector on board and if go with propane I will install a gas detector. 9. The trip starts in October from Southern Lake Michigan. Down the Illinois Waterway (I'll have to un-step the mast) to the Mississippi, up the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers and then down the Ten-Tom Waterway to Mobile, AL. Then on to Florida and who knows where. Anybody want to go? Thanks in advance for all the good advice. John S/V DragonFly
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Personally, I don't like any of these options.
John: I personally do not like any of these options with a gas engine. If you were to have ANY type of gas leak you could be known as the guy we used to know. Unless you are going to leave your blower on while you have the heater on I do not think it is advised. I'll be interested in other replys too.
John: I personally do not like any of these options with a gas engine. If you were to have ANY type of gas leak you could be known as the guy we used to know. Unless you are going to leave your blower on while you have the heater on I do not think it is advised. I'll be interested in other replys too.
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David
Cabin heat
I have a small self contained portable heater on board that works on the same principle as the Origo cook stoves. It is enough to keep the chill off on cool evenings and mornings. I always keep a hatch open a bit to provide the release of carbon monoxide. I wouldn't use it while underway or at a rough anchorage as it is not secured.
I have a small self contained portable heater on board that works on the same principle as the Origo cook stoves. It is enough to keep the chill off on cool evenings and mornings. I always keep a hatch open a bit to provide the release of carbon monoxide. I wouldn't use it while underway or at a rough anchorage as it is not secured.
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Peter Brennan
Solid fuel
Previous poster raised questions about a heater in a gasoline powered boat. Have a stove, no? Blower? Tight fittings? Good nose? Sniffer? One must be more careful with gasoline than diesel but not paranoid. Just don't put your cabin heater on top of the fuel tank. I would opt for solid fuel. More work to tend than a gas or liquid fueled stove but also more versatile and puts out more heat and is cosier looking. Ours is a Dickinson but if I were to do it over, I would get a Cole. Better designed for the job. Plenty of heat. We burn a mixture of anthracite coal and real chunk charcoal. Needs a blower to keep the coal burning, but the heater glows cherry red. Avoid charcoal briquettes like the plague. Don't know what's in those things but it isn't charcoal. They generate more ash than the original volume of the briquette and are a horrible mess. Real charcoal generates almost no ash and anthracite generates very little ash, which is dense and easy to handle. A hundred pounds of coal takes up little space and will last two seasons.
Previous poster raised questions about a heater in a gasoline powered boat. Have a stove, no? Blower? Tight fittings? Good nose? Sniffer? One must be more careful with gasoline than diesel but not paranoid. Just don't put your cabin heater on top of the fuel tank. I would opt for solid fuel. More work to tend than a gas or liquid fueled stove but also more versatile and puts out more heat and is cosier looking. Ours is a Dickinson but if I were to do it over, I would get a Cole. Better designed for the job. Plenty of heat. We burn a mixture of anthracite coal and real chunk charcoal. Needs a blower to keep the coal burning, but the heater glows cherry red. Avoid charcoal briquettes like the plague. Don't know what's in those things but it isn't charcoal. They generate more ash than the original volume of the briquette and are a horrible mess. Real charcoal generates almost no ash and anthracite generates very little ash, which is dense and easy to handle. A hundred pounds of coal takes up little space and will last two seasons.
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Joe
Wallas stoves/heaters...
are a little on the steep side at $1K for the combination, but I really like mine. It has a totally inclosed flame, is vented outside and is easy to use, also cooks great. It uses clean kerosene (or mineral spirits, same thing)which is cheep and lasts a long time. I posted a picture of mine installed in the photo forum a couple of months ago. They are sold by Blue Water Yachts.
are a little on the steep side at $1K for the combination, but I really like mine. It has a totally inclosed flame, is vented outside and is easy to use, also cooks great. It uses clean kerosene (or mineral spirits, same thing)which is cheep and lasts a long time. I posted a picture of mine installed in the photo forum a couple of months ago. They are sold by Blue Water Yachts.
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Ron Hughes
heat aboard
John, I have to assume that you have a diesel inboard auxilliary. Given that, let me say that no other fuel has as many btu's per unit. But the best thing about it is: you already have it in large supply aboard! I installed a Webasto diesel air heater aboard my '95 Hunter 35.5 and it was wonderful. I plumbed in outside air from my vented cockpit lazarette which in effect pressurizes the cabin causing all leaks to go out, not in. If forced air is not in your budget, there are some really nice diesel bulkhead mount heaters(I like the Dickenson models)that will cook you right out of your saloon! My current boat has a Webasto diesel boiler unit that circulates hot water throughout the boat to several heat exchangers on separate thermostats. It even heats our hot water tank for showers and dishes! One last tip: if you don't have a diesel aux. use soy diesel(soygold.com) in a small "day" tank. A little goes a long way. Plus it makes no soot and smells like french fries to boot. All Good Wishes! Ron Hughes s/v "Best Revenge" H 40.5
John, I have to assume that you have a diesel inboard auxilliary. Given that, let me say that no other fuel has as many btu's per unit. But the best thing about it is: you already have it in large supply aboard! I installed a Webasto diesel air heater aboard my '95 Hunter 35.5 and it was wonderful. I plumbed in outside air from my vented cockpit lazarette which in effect pressurizes the cabin causing all leaks to go out, not in. If forced air is not in your budget, there are some really nice diesel bulkhead mount heaters(I like the Dickenson models)that will cook you right out of your saloon! My current boat has a Webasto diesel boiler unit that circulates hot water throughout the boat to several heat exchangers on separate thermostats. It even heats our hot water tank for showers and dishes! One last tip: if you don't have a diesel aux. use soy diesel(soygold.com) in a small "day" tank. A little goes a long way. Plus it makes no soot and smells like french fries to boot. All Good Wishes! Ron Hughes s/v "Best Revenge" H 40.5
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Steve Growcock
Don't have a heater, but...
...when sailing south, let me know if you stop in the St. Louis, MO area. Assuming schedules match, may be able to get together have a beer and swap stories, etc. Steve! grdn@swbell.net
...when sailing south, let me know if you stop in the St. Louis, MO area. Assuming schedules match, may be able to get together have a beer and swap stories, etc. Steve! grdn@swbell.net
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Tim Schaaf
Concerned about gasoline
I have always felt that the biggest negative to a gasoline engine was that there would be times when a flame (such as from a heater) would be present when the blowers, sniffers, etc., might not be turned on. I understand that some are very confident while others among us loath the risks of a gasoline engine and an "Atomic Bomb". It is a personal thing, I guess. That said, I had great success with a Kerosun stand alone kerosene space heater for many years in the San Francisco Bay area. Economical, relatively clean, no power draw, and plenty hot. It has a wide base, so it won't tip over, and I have a strap for it. DO REMEMBER to ventilate, rather than asphyxiate! I still have that heater, sixteen years later, although it only gets used a couple of times a year. It is the "Moonlighter" model, and its tinted glass puts out a wonderful, warm light.
I have always felt that the biggest negative to a gasoline engine was that there would be times when a flame (such as from a heater) would be present when the blowers, sniffers, etc., might not be turned on. I understand that some are very confident while others among us loath the risks of a gasoline engine and an "Atomic Bomb". It is a personal thing, I guess. That said, I had great success with a Kerosun stand alone kerosene space heater for many years in the San Francisco Bay area. Economical, relatively clean, no power draw, and plenty hot. It has a wide base, so it won't tip over, and I have a strap for it. DO REMEMBER to ventilate, rather than asphyxiate! I still have that heater, sixteen years later, although it only gets used a couple of times a year. It is the "Moonlighter" model, and its tinted glass puts out a wonderful, warm light.
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clive
I like the origo heat pal (alcohol)
Hello John I have a mirage sailboat, about the same size as yours. I bought an Origo heat pal -non-pressurized alcohol stove- and am very happy with it. Pros: it's very simple, portable and versatile (I have on occasion picked it up and sat on the dock in the early morning peacefully making tea on it, before the rest of the family woke up), it generates lots of heat, non-pressurized alcohol is far safer than propane, white gas, gas etc; cheap (about 200 dollars US). Cons: it has to sit on a surface and could slide or move so you won't want to leave it unattended or use it where you're going to be waked or underway. Plus the same cons as all other heaters - there's a flame involved, you need to ensure ventilation, don't go away and leave it on etc etc good luck with your plan. -Clive Roberts
Hello John I have a mirage sailboat, about the same size as yours. I bought an Origo heat pal -non-pressurized alcohol stove- and am very happy with it. Pros: it's very simple, portable and versatile (I have on occasion picked it up and sat on the dock in the early morning peacefully making tea on it, before the rest of the family woke up), it generates lots of heat, non-pressurized alcohol is far safer than propane, white gas, gas etc; cheap (about 200 dollars US). Cons: it has to sit on a surface and could slide or move so you won't want to leave it unattended or use it where you're going to be waked or underway. Plus the same cons as all other heaters - there's a flame involved, you need to ensure ventilation, don't go away and leave it on etc etc good luck with your plan. -Clive Roberts
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John
Thanks Everyone for all the Input
Thanks everyone for all the good advice and input. I was hoping for some kind of consensus pointing to 'Type A' fuel and 'Brand X' heater, but deep down inside I knew better. After all, I was asking Sailors about a very personnel issue (what they prefer on their vessels). I do appreciate the concern about my safety and the gasoline engine. You have convinced me to install a gas detector for the gasoline, every if I don't go with a propane heater. To Pete of Worlds Fair Marina; I am leaning towards using a solid fuel heater and the Dickerson is top on my list. Where can I find information on the "Cole" solid fuel heater that you recommended? Did you know of a supplier? Fair Winds, John S/V DragonFly
Thanks everyone for all the good advice and input. I was hoping for some kind of consensus pointing to 'Type A' fuel and 'Brand X' heater, but deep down inside I knew better. After all, I was asking Sailors about a very personnel issue (what they prefer on their vessels). I do appreciate the concern about my safety and the gasoline engine. You have convinced me to install a gas detector for the gasoline, every if I don't go with a propane heater. To Pete of Worlds Fair Marina; I am leaning towards using a solid fuel heater and the Dickerson is top on my list. Where can I find information on the "Cole" solid fuel heater that you recommended? Did you know of a supplier? Fair Winds, John S/V DragonFly
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Phil
Origo and Flower Pots
I recall reading on this forum that somebody used a decent size upside down clay flower pot on top of their Origo unpressurized alcohol stove for cabin heat. You can clamp the flower pot onto the stove with the Origo pot holders. The clay pot holds and distributes the heat to the cabin. If it works, it is better and cheaper than having to buy a separate cabin heater for your 27 foot boat. I haven't tried this yet, but I will this autumn. Has anyone else out there tried this? Phil Decker S/V "Catmandu" Catalina 27
I recall reading on this forum that somebody used a decent size upside down clay flower pot on top of their Origo unpressurized alcohol stove for cabin heat. You can clamp the flower pot onto the stove with the Origo pot holders. The clay pot holds and distributes the heat to the cabin. If it works, it is better and cheaper than having to buy a separate cabin heater for your 27 foot boat. I haven't tried this yet, but I will this autumn. Has anyone else out there tried this? Phil Decker S/V "Catmandu" Catalina 27
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Andy Howard
12 volt heated blanket
Got one for christmas last year and it's great for those chilly evenings on the boat. It draws about 4 amps. I almost can't wait for fall.
Got one for christmas last year and it's great for those chilly evenings on the boat. It draws about 4 amps. I almost can't wait for fall.
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Larry
Cabin heaters
I've said it once, I'll say it again. Away from the dock and AC power, a clay flower pot inverted on your propane or any stove will heat your cabin very nicely. I use it on our 40 footer every fall/winter.
I've said it once, I'll say it again. Away from the dock and AC power, a clay flower pot inverted on your propane or any stove will heat your cabin very nicely. I use it on our 40 footer every fall/winter.
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