Cabin Heaters

[JenCluff ~ G.McKevitt]

The local chandlery is offering, at the moment, a very good price on
Force 10 "Cozy Cabin" heaters. Have any of you on the list had
experience with this particular heater. Is it adequate for a boat the
size of the Vega. I live on Vancouver Island on the southwest coast
of Canada which has winters, I would say, similar to the south of
England. I'm also interested in your opinion on the difference
between diesel and propane as fuels for a cabin heater. I tend to
favour diesel just because it's safer, already available on the boat
and, I'm led to understand, drier. The salesman, however, favours the
propane because it's clean and quick. He says the diesel can be sooty
to start and takes a long time to get up to temperature and may not
burn properly when underway because of draught problems depending on
sail configuration. I'd appreciate any advice on this.

Garry
Vega 2427 "Raven"[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Garry

Persoally I hate gas heaters and would not give them the time of day in my
Vega. Stick to diesel, a lot safer.

Steve B

At 13:39 21/12/03 -0800, you wrote:

 

[mocap1]

I installed a Force 10 diesel cabin heater in a cruising ketch I owned. As I recall, starting it was sometimes a problem, particularly underway with the boat rolling,as it was necessary to preheat the burner with alcohol, or a propane torch. I also had to install a small tank for the diesel fuel and a pump for pressurizing it. You can't draw off the main tank because the feed has to be under pressure.However, in spite of all this I think the diesel heater is a better choice. I believe in keeping propane out of the living spaces to the greatest extent possible. I don't remember the heater creating an excessive amount of moisture.

Mort

 

[alan_critchlow]

Hello

Although I have never started the Force 10 cabin heater in my boat I
know how they work. They are a pressurised system. They reqiire a
pressurised tank. They run on either kerosene or diesel. They must be
preheated with alcohol. There are a couple of Vegas on the island
with this system. Our Vega was originally from Sydney. I believe that
is where Force 10's plant is.

Alan Critchlow

 

[bbach1949]

I have a kerosene/diesel Force 10 mounted in a stainless-steel alcove in the
port bulkhead. The tank is installed in the port settee locker. It provides
just the right amount of heat for the Pacific NW. I bought mine through
Go2marine.com- they seem to have the best prices. I previously had a solid fuel
Cole Stove mounted in that same alcove. Couldn't control the amount of heat
that it put out, and it was dirty and not that safe. It would be good for a
bigger boat or just for the charm of a fireplace. I don't have propane on my
Vega and wouldn't without a proper box for the tanks. That would take up a lot
of room and require a leak detection system. Kerosene is relatively cheap and
safe - especially for the amount of time its being used. JMHI Bill Bach,
V1071, Calimera - Portland.

 

[dobermanct_dave]

I can't speak to the heater itself, but one thing that comes to mind is
the cost for the fuel. Propane has if memory serves 94,000 BTU of heat
per gallon, whereas diesel fuel has 138,000. Also at least around here
in New England, diesel fuel is about half the price per gallon compared
to propane.

Dave V2917

 

[emmajen5]

Bill,

Did you use the Force 10 made pressure tank?

 

[bbach1949]

Garry: No, I found a used Blake's horizontal stainless tank with built-in
pump at a local marine fleamarket. It fits great, but I ended up spending time
and money silver soldering pinhole leaks. If I were to do it again I would
use the Force 10 tank and a bicycle pump (who knows, I might have to still if
these #$% repairs don't hold!).

I think a clean way to install the vertical Force 10 tank would be to have
the top protrude an inch or so above the port shelf - just enough to get at the
fill fitting and the air valve from above. The feed line could take a turn
forward to the stove. This way the bulk of the tank would be hidden away in the
locker behind the seat back. I think there is room for an installation like
this. A funnel with flexible tube could be used to fill the tank. Just an
idea, but it might work. Hope I don't have to do that. New Blake's tanks are
available from Defender, but they cost an arm and a leg, and the thin stainless
seems subject to crevice corrosion - at least the one I got was. Sometimes
cheap used stuff is no bargain.

Bill Bach, V1071 Calimera

 

[pszi]

In Sweden, where I sail, the Wallas heater is very commonly used.
Properly serviced, it's a no-brainer to operate. I use the smallest
model whith only power on/off to learn to operate. Larger models have
thermostat as option. It uses electric fan for air circulation, but
have fairly low power consumption.

I cannot compare to the Force 10 which is virtually unknown here. If
you can find a local shop willing to service, it might be an option.

Take a peek at www.wallas.com. Do look at the stoves too. Really cool
stuff! will buy when I can afford.

/PSzi

 

[pelagicasd]

Find out what the stack or chimney requirements are for the diesel. You
might not have to worry about sail configuration as you might not be able to
sail with it operating. To short of a stack could lead to problems with
backdrafting and a long stack might interfere with the sails or running
rigging.
Walt, Lyric

 

[mikeboatbike]

Hi
Can any body help,what are Taylor Cabin Heaters like.
And would it work Ok in a Vega 27.
Many thanks
Mike