Has anyone added a diesel heater such as Espar or Webasto to a sailboat already equipped with Air Conditioned Ducting? I do not have a generator on board and wish to add cabin heat for our pending cruise this summer up to Nova Scotia. Is it possible to utilize the existing AC duct work if I add a air ducted heater. Or should I plan on adding redundard ductwork and consider the hydronic versions of these heaters to minimize the additional space required for the ducting? I am, in the process of purchasing a Bavaria 40 Center Cockpity boat that I plan to modify.
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Heater ducting
Hi Charlie - The ducting you use will depend on the type oh heater you install - either 4" diameter for forced air or 1.25" diameter for water hoses in a hydronic installation. I would think you'd need to replace the existing AC ducting but you might be able to use at least part of the existing runs (i.e. run duct through the existing bulkhead holes). The advantages of a hydronic system, especially with a CC boat are that you'll have even heat throughout the boat. The disadvantages are a more complex and costly installation (with at least 3 heat exchangers) and the installation of an Everhot tank if you want a good supply of hot water. That being said, I'm happy with my Webasto hydronic heater on my Taswell 43 CC. Best, Trevor
Hi Charlie - The ducting you use will depend on the type oh heater you install - either 4" diameter for forced air or 1.25" diameter for water hoses in a hydronic installation. I would think you'd need to replace the existing AC ducting but you might be able to use at least part of the existing runs (i.e. run duct through the existing bulkhead holes). The advantages of a hydronic system, especially with a CC boat are that you'll have even heat throughout the boat. The disadvantages are a more complex and costly installation (with at least 3 heat exchangers) and the installation of an Everhot tank if you want a good supply of hot water. That being said, I'm happy with my Webasto hydronic heater on my Taswell 43 CC. Best, Trevor
Charlie,
Don't touch the ducting. That is the most difficult part of installing a Wabesto or Espar heating system. Install either and fit a duct with a shut-off to block one system from the other and you should be in business in no time. Hydronic systems are nice, but you already have half the system in place. Jim
Don't touch the ducting. That is the most difficult part of installing a Wabesto or Espar heating system. Install either and fit a duct with a shut-off to block one system from the other and you should be in business in no time. Hydronic systems are nice, but you already have half the system in place. Jim
I have chartered a boat with a forced air Wabasto Diesel Heat and we loved it. Our current boat (Hunter 410), like yours, has a reverse cycle heat pump. Unlike you we do have a generator but I don't like to run it. So I too am in the position of wanting to convert. In the Pacific NW we do not need air but for resale purposes I thought I would like to leave the existing system. I have checked with my yard and they highly recommend separate ducting. The reason is that the heat pump ducting comes directly from each of the compressor units and for real good heat circulation the ducts should be lower than the standard Hunter transition boxes. I suppose it's possible to intersect this ductwork but then you would still have to have separate blowers. How big a boat is also makes a difference on what kind of heat. As your other reply indicates hydronic heat allows for more flexibility and instant hot water. According to my yard they recommend this hydronic heating on boats bigger than 40- 42 feet. This also allows them to more easily run the smaller water lines where they need to go. Adding a forced air system is preferable to me but finding room for the ducts will be more of a job than finding room for water pipes. On the Hunter 43 that we chartered the heat was forced air with transition boxes under the aft bunk and at each raised floor section. Worked fantastic even though it was a bit larger boat. This good working system worked well probably due to the multiple heat outlets. Let us know what you do and how it works!
Charlie, we have four inch forced air...
plastic ducting from our reverse cycle heat pumps. The Wallas diesel forced air furnace that I'm installing on our boat uses three inch high temp ducting. The Wallas dealer advised that the heat generated by the furnace would melt the existing plastic ducting. Ask the furnace dealer about the unit you end up buying whether the plastic ducting can support the temperatures it generates. Terry
plastic ducting from our reverse cycle heat pumps. The Wallas diesel forced air furnace that I'm installing on our boat uses three inch high temp ducting. The Wallas dealer advised that the heat generated by the furnace would melt the existing plastic ducting. Ask the furnace dealer about the unit you end up buying whether the plastic ducting can support the temperatures it generates. Terry
Diesel Heater addition to AC Boat- Wallas systems
Thanks for the responses to my original post. I am curious about the advantages of the Wallas System. A post in the archives lead me to favor a Webasto over an Espar because of the lack of glow plugs and a 2 year warranty, but curious about the advantages of a Wallas system. Regards Charlie
Thanks for the responses to my original post. I am curious about the advantages of the Wallas System. A post in the archives lead me to favor a Webasto over an Espar because of the lack of glow plugs and a 2 year warranty, but curious about the advantages of a Wallas system. Regards Charlie
Charlie, I've talked to skippers who have...
owned both and they voted for the Wallas. Quieter, lower fuel consumption, lower amp usage, etc. The size of our boat requires a 40D. The specs follow: Heat output: 4,000 - 14,000 BTU Fuel consumption: 0.12 - 0.42 qt./hr. Current consumption: 2.5 - 3.9 AMP Dimensions: 5.5" D x 15.5" L x 12" H The 30D is smaller producing 2,700 - 10,500 BTU, fuel consumption .07 - .026 qt./hr., current draw 0.6 - 1.7 AMP. Scan Marine is the only North American distributor at 888/606-6665. Good luck. Terry
owned both and they voted for the Wallas. Quieter, lower fuel consumption, lower amp usage, etc. The size of our boat requires a 40D. The specs follow: Heat output: 4,000 - 14,000 BTU Fuel consumption: 0.12 - 0.42 qt./hr. Current consumption: 2.5 - 3.9 AMP Dimensions: 5.5" D x 15.5" L x 12" H The 30D is smaller producing 2,700 - 10,500 BTU, fuel consumption .07 - .026 qt./hr., current draw 0.6 - 1.7 AMP. Scan Marine is the only North American distributor at 888/606-6665. Good luck. Terry
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