We are new sailors to the Puget Sound area and are wondering what other sailboaters (ours is a C-25 with no power generation other than battery and a small Honda outboard)do for cabin heating. I have read that it is virtually a MUST for winter cruising and also a good idea to have all year round. What does a sailboater with limited power capability (yes, you can use a small 110VAC heater at dockside, but what about gunkholing?) use to heat a small cabin which would probably be well warmed with 5000 BTU or less? Thanks in advance for your replies. Steve
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Tom
Vented heat
I've had a 23' sailboat and installed a Force 10 Cozy Cabin heater. It ran on kerosene (or diesel) from a pressurized gallon tank. The tank was pressurized at the beginning of the night with a bicycle tire pump, and then the heater could run all night. No electricity is needed to operate. The heater is fairly small and can be mounted on a bulkhead. The tank can be some ways away from the heater, such as having the tank mounted inside a locker. A vented heater would be the best (really not an option but required). Exhaust gases are carried through a flue (1" pipe) through the deck and out. Leave the companionway cracked so that fresh O2 can enter. Heaters that are more like fireplaces (burn charcoal or presto logs) can be hard to use and difficult to control the amount of heat generated, and take longer to warm up a space.
I've had a 23' sailboat and installed a Force 10 Cozy Cabin heater. It ran on kerosene (or diesel) from a pressurized gallon tank. The tank was pressurized at the beginning of the night with a bicycle tire pump, and then the heater could run all night. No electricity is needed to operate. The heater is fairly small and can be mounted on a bulkhead. The tank can be some ways away from the heater, such as having the tank mounted inside a locker. A vented heater would be the best (really not an option but required). Exhaust gases are carried through a flue (1" pipe) through the deck and out. Leave the companionway cracked so that fresh O2 can enter. Heaters that are more like fireplaces (burn charcoal or presto logs) can be hard to use and difficult to control the amount of heat generated, and take longer to warm up a space.
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Todd Osborne (SV
On the hook heating
In the winter you'll appreciate every BTU you can get. Sailboats are not insulated, so what heat you produce fades quickly. you would have to have a 5K BTU unit on all the time to even get it luke warm... Options: Most affordable is the Force 10 propane unit ($300?). I own one & do use it. it works OK but it spills some exhaust into the cabin. which besides the obvoius CO & CO2 issues, puts lots of moisture into the cabin, which has the potential to make a musty mildewy mess in the following weeks. Also it draws oxygen from inside the cabin. Adding CO & removing O2 aren't good for us mammals (but there is a built in 02 safeguard). Next up is the Dickenson Newport propane unit($400?). Just a bit more $ but you get a sealed inlet, outlet, & combustion chamber. Plus a built in fan. I'm convincing my wife for the upgrade. (note that both of the above units need provisioning for propane) Top of the line is a forced air deisel unit, $1,000 or more plus added power draw for the fan. nice, but a bit much for a smaller boat.
In the winter you'll appreciate every BTU you can get. Sailboats are not insulated, so what heat you produce fades quickly. you would have to have a 5K BTU unit on all the time to even get it luke warm... Options: Most affordable is the Force 10 propane unit ($300?). I own one & do use it. it works OK but it spills some exhaust into the cabin. which besides the obvoius CO & CO2 issues, puts lots of moisture into the cabin, which has the potential to make a musty mildewy mess in the following weeks. Also it draws oxygen from inside the cabin. Adding CO & removing O2 aren't good for us mammals (but there is a built in 02 safeguard). Next up is the Dickenson Newport propane unit($400?). Just a bit more $ but you get a sealed inlet, outlet, & combustion chamber. Plus a built in fan. I'm convincing my wife for the upgrade. (note that both of the above units need provisioning for propane) Top of the line is a forced air deisel unit, $1,000 or more plus added power draw for the fan. nice, but a bit much for a smaller boat.
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Brent
Force 10 Kerosene unit
I've got a kerosene Force 10 unit on my columbia 26mkII like the one Tom described and I'm in the Pacific Northwest (currently moored at Shilshoe in downtown seattle). The previous owner installed the Force 10 so I don't know too much about putting one in but I know he got it used for $250 (in mint condition). Works great, ours is installed just aft of the companionway so I need to a get a little DC fan to blow the air up the V-berth as a lot of the hot air escapes out the hatch to the cockpit (I leave it cracked to let in some fresh air and not suffocate me in my sleep). If you're in the Seattle area I'd be happy to meet you down at the boat sometime and show you the setup. -Brent
I've got a kerosene Force 10 unit on my columbia 26mkII like the one Tom described and I'm in the Pacific Northwest (currently moored at Shilshoe in downtown seattle). The previous owner installed the Force 10 so I don't know too much about putting one in but I know he got it used for $250 (in mint condition). Works great, ours is installed just aft of the companionway so I need to a get a little DC fan to blow the air up the V-berth as a lot of the hot air escapes out the hatch to the cockpit (I leave it cracked to let in some fresh air and not suffocate me in my sleep). If you're in the Seattle area I'd be happy to meet you down at the boat sometime and show you the setup. -Brent
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Steve
Anybody ever use an Origo Alcohol Heater?
See included URL. Anyone know how good these things are for heaters? They are considerably less costly than propane/diesel fuel heaters. Steve
See included URL. Anyone know how good these things are for heaters? They are considerably less costly than propane/diesel fuel heaters. Steve
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J.Hrab
Origo usage
We used an Origo alcohol heather extensively last fall on the Cheasapeake and south. Heat evaporates relatively fast, makes a noticeable difference as it removes a lot of humidity. We used it from 18.00 hrs to 22.00 hrs with one cannister. We filled another one and replaced the first one and then left it on for the night at half rate, with a little ventilation. at 06.00 one volunteer would replace another cannister and put full blast: at 08.00 hrs cabin would not have moisture and was at least a little bit warm. Alcohol comes in two grades: one which is relatively pure: sold in West Marine or like, and one: "industrial grade" sold in places like Home depot, at a much lesser price. I beleive there was an scientific explanation in one of the previous messages/thread. The first one does not sting your eyes or nose, the second one will, place additional ventilation if you use the latter. We have an origo stove with three cannisters therefore we could rotate. To sum up, it was a fairly easy routine and we appreciated the difference. Jean Hrab
We used an Origo alcohol heather extensively last fall on the Cheasapeake and south. Heat evaporates relatively fast, makes a noticeable difference as it removes a lot of humidity. We used it from 18.00 hrs to 22.00 hrs with one cannister. We filled another one and replaced the first one and then left it on for the night at half rate, with a little ventilation. at 06.00 one volunteer would replace another cannister and put full blast: at 08.00 hrs cabin would not have moisture and was at least a little bit warm. Alcohol comes in two grades: one which is relatively pure: sold in West Marine or like, and one: "industrial grade" sold in places like Home depot, at a much lesser price. I beleive there was an scientific explanation in one of the previous messages/thread. The first one does not sting your eyes or nose, the second one will, place additional ventilation if you use the latter. We have an origo stove with three cannisters therefore we could rotate. To sum up, it was a fairly easy routine and we appreciated the difference. Jean Hrab
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Gary Wyngarden
... and a CO Detector
Whatever your heating choice, I would strongly recommend installing a carbon monoxide detector if you're going to close up the cabin with a heat source on. A cheap investment that may save your life and that of your family. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Whatever your heating choice, I would strongly recommend installing a carbon monoxide detector if you're going to close up the cabin with a heat source on. A cheap investment that may save your life and that of your family. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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Tom
Fan for heater
Brent, visit Fisheries Supply (on Northlake near Gasworks Pk) or Sure Marine (just south of Market St in Ballard near Sloop Tavern). There is a small distribution fan (slow turning, quiet) available that does not use any electricity (no 12V & no battery required). It would just sit ontop of the Force 10 heater, and activates (turns) from the thermal currents that rise from the heater. Saw one operate at the boatshow last winter, and it was neat. Could be used to really distribute the heat (by moving the air) around the inside of a boat.
Brent, visit Fisheries Supply (on Northlake near Gasworks Pk) or Sure Marine (just south of Market St in Ballard near Sloop Tavern). There is a small distribution fan (slow turning, quiet) available that does not use any electricity (no 12V & no battery required). It would just sit ontop of the Force 10 heater, and activates (turns) from the thermal currents that rise from the heater. Saw one operate at the boatshow last winter, and it was neat. Could be used to really distribute the heat (by moving the air) around the inside of a boat.
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Tom
heat
I use the new dickenson propane heater which has a double walled exhaust which also draws in fresh air uses minimal propane, has a nice 4 inch square fire place flame window and a built in low voltage fan you can use if you have power. I looked into forced air stuff but it was expensive, high power draw high maintenance and high install cost. Try a season with just a couple of flower pots on the stove. You will find out quick if they are enough - you may even find out, like me if I am completely honest that even with a heater winter overnight sailing is COLD.
I use the new dickenson propane heater which has a double walled exhaust which also draws in fresh air uses minimal propane, has a nice 4 inch square fire place flame window and a built in low voltage fan you can use if you have power. I looked into forced air stuff but it was expensive, high power draw high maintenance and high install cost. Try a season with just a couple of flower pots on the stove. You will find out quick if they are enough - you may even find out, like me if I am completely honest that even with a heater winter overnight sailing is COLD.
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james pahl
a Dickson stove is my favorite
yes, these stoves burn diesel, so you would need a tank and can be run very well with no electricty, tho they do have a 12volt fan if you needs a real blast and they can be got with ovens. the Lofoten has no oven but will cook your bacon crispy-,they do need to be taken out and cleaned out about once a year.and of course any time youhave soot and diesel you could have some cussing. james pahl
yes, these stoves burn diesel, so you would need a tank and can be run very well with no electricty, tho they do have a 12volt fan if you needs a real blast and they can be got with ovens. the Lofoten has no oven but will cook your bacon crispy-,they do need to be taken out and cleaned out about once a year.and of course any time youhave soot and diesel you could have some cussing. james pahl
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Frank Wang
Dickenson Newport
I installed a dickenson newport propane heater, clamped two propane bottles to the stern rail, also installed a CO/Smoke detector. They works great. Frank
I installed a dickenson newport propane heater, clamped two propane bottles to the stern rail, also installed a CO/Smoke detector. They works great. Frank
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