I'm thinking of adding a cabin heater to my Catalina 27. I could go diesel (same fuel as my engine) or propane. The diesel heaters (Dickinson or Force 10) appear to be less convenient to light (priming, etc), but safer and use cheaper fuel. Propane would be convenient but potentially more dangerous. Anyone have comments or experience? I'm thinking of one of the Force 10 propane bulkhead heaters with the propane container in the aft locker (already has a drain). Paul
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Propane safety
My particular concern here is with the inherent (though apparently manageable) danger of having propane appliances and fuel storage aboard. Paul
My particular concern here is with the inherent (though apparently manageable) danger of having propane appliances and fuel storage aboard. Paul
Go diesel
If you don't already have propane on the boat for cooking, don't add a propane system just for a heater. If you might want to upgrade to a propane stove, it then it almost makes sense to use propane for heat also. I know C27's are big for 27 footers, but where are you going to put a bulkhead heater? What type of heater you get depends on how often you will need/use it. If you will be using it often, consider a forced air unit. Espar or Webasto. They run on diesel, don't need a smokestack, and don't take up interior space.
If you don't already have propane on the boat for cooking, don't add a propane system just for a heater. If you might want to upgrade to a propane stove, it then it almost makes sense to use propane for heat also. I know C27's are big for 27 footers, but where are you going to put a bulkhead heater? What type of heater you get depends on how often you will need/use it. If you will be using it often, consider a forced air unit. Espar or Webasto. They run on diesel, don't need a smokestack, and don't take up interior space.
Sensible Cruising
I think that it was "Sensible Cruising" that recommended diesel or Kerosene for heating and cooking as they are readily available almost anywhere. I would think that cost would favor diesel. Also unless you already use propane simplicity would favor diesel. Also unless you alreay use propane safety would favor diesel.I don't even like having to lug around propane tanks for the barbeque. They always seem to run out at the wrong time. Another argument is that most of us don't use that much diesel so by using it for heating you'd keep the fuel in your tank fresher!!! Tom
I think that it was "Sensible Cruising" that recommended diesel or Kerosene for heating and cooking as they are readily available almost anywhere. I would think that cost would favor diesel. Also unless you already use propane simplicity would favor diesel. Also unless you alreay use propane safety would favor diesel.I don't even like having to lug around propane tanks for the barbeque. They always seem to run out at the wrong time. Another argument is that most of us don't use that much diesel so by using it for heating you'd keep the fuel in your tank fresher!!! Tom
Diesel Heat
Talked to a guy in Atlantic City just a couple of days ago. He has a diesel heater in a Tayana 37. Loves it. Burns about 1/2 gal. a day or less. Heats the entire boat nicely. I would definately go with diesel.
Talked to a guy in Atlantic City just a couple of days ago. He has a diesel heater in a Tayana 37. Loves it. Burns about 1/2 gal. a day or less. Heats the entire boat nicely. I would definately go with diesel.
Go with whatever your stove uses
I have a propane bulkhead heater and a propane stove. I went with propane because my wife is very sensitive to diesel smells and I also think propane burns cleaner. Yes I know of the inherent dangers of propane, but I have a sniffer installed under each appliance that will automatically turn off the solenoid valve, and I've tested them to confirm they work. I'm also very safety cautious. Besides, with the HUGE number of propane installations on boats, there don't seem to be catastrophic explosions everyday - of course it only takes one!
My feeling is a good installation and common sense pretty well mitigate any danger. Having said that, I wouldn't put propane on the boat just for a heater. Use whatever fuel system you already have. Craig
I have a propane bulkhead heater and a propane stove. I went with propane because my wife is very sensitive to diesel smells and I also think propane burns cleaner. Yes I know of the inherent dangers of propane, but I have a sniffer installed under each appliance that will automatically turn off the solenoid valve, and I've tested them to confirm they work. I'm also very safety cautious. Besides, with the HUGE number of propane installations on boats, there don't seem to be catastrophic explosions everyday - of course it only takes one!
My feeling is a good installation and common sense pretty well mitigate any danger. Having said that, I wouldn't put propane on the boat just for a heater. Use whatever fuel system you already have. Craigheater
Paul; A clay flower pot inverted on a stove burner turned down low will heat the cabin nicely.
Paul; A clay flower pot inverted on a stove burner turned down low will heat the cabin nicely.
We have propane
because we have a propane range. One item that we need to add is a fan. Because the heater is bulkhead mounted your torso & head will be warm but your feet at floor level will be cold unless you can move the air around. Next boat, maybe even this boat...Espar, forced air, floor level, mondo heat.
because we have a propane range. One item that we need to add is a fan. Because the heater is bulkhead mounted your torso & head will be warm but your feet at floor level will be cold unless you can move the air around. Next boat, maybe even this boat...Espar, forced air, floor level, mondo heat.
We use a diesel forced air heater, Ardic 041-D
Our 37.5 has a diesel heater installed in the cockpit stern locker. It is an Ardic 041-D forced air unit. The exhaust goes out the stern, and the hot air is piped into the cabin. One port in the master stateroom and the other is in the main cabin. It heats up the cabin pretty quickly, and is great during winter sailing and overnighters. The fan is a bit noisy when it comes on, but it doesn’t come on too often. There is no diesel smell in the cabin, and since it is installed in the cockpit locker, it does not need a chimney. It also burns very little fuel. We love it. Without it, I don't think my wife would even think about going for an overnighter during the winter.
Our 37.5 has a diesel heater installed in the cockpit stern locker. It is an Ardic 041-D forced air unit. The exhaust goes out the stern, and the hot air is piped into the cabin. One port in the master stateroom and the other is in the main cabin. It heats up the cabin pretty quickly, and is great during winter sailing and overnighters. The fan is a bit noisy when it comes on, but it doesn’t come on too often. There is no diesel smell in the cabin, and since it is installed in the cockpit locker, it does not need a chimney. It also burns very little fuel. We love it. Without it, I don't think my wife would even think about going for an overnighter during the winter.
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