After months of research, we've pulled the pin and ordered all the parts for installing an Espar Hydronic heating system on our boat. We are excited to get started and expect we will complete the install in the first week of March.
Why hydronic? This was the hardest decision to make versus forced air.
1) Our boat, (Hunter 410) would need at least 20'+ of 4 inch duct work running from the stern forward, followed by another 15+' of 3 inch duct to ensure that our forward pullman berth and forward head had adequate airflow to heat properly if we chose forced air. There is no easy way to make this happen. Instead with hydronic we're running .75" hotwater line from stern to bow and back. It won't be simple, but we'll get a much cleaner install.
2) Having 3 different heating zones. We're putting in three heater cores, each will have short two out put ducts that have small computer fans (low DC draw) to move air. Three heater cores mean three zones for cabin temperatures. ie) The forward berth can be kept cool, the main cabin warm, and the aft berth very warm. With forced air we wouldn't get this option.
3) Heating the hot water tank. This is a real bonus on the hook that hydronic does.
4) It is the quietest system.
The biggest negative I can see is that it won't heat the boat as quickly, nor will it dry a boat out as efficiently forced air. We already have a decent dehumidifier that we use when on the dock. and the boat has excellent ventilation with good dorades, and lots of hatches so I'm not really concerned. I've spoke with one other own of a Hunter 410 who has had an Espar Hydronic on his boat for years and has said it has worked brilliantly and is cheap to maintain.
We've found a very highly recommended local installer who is going to let us assist with the installation to help keep our costs down. Our plan is one heater core under the aft berth, one under the starboard settee, and one under the forward pullman. The sleeping cabins will have one duct run for the cabin, and one to the respective head while the mainsalon will get two output ducts/vents.
Once work starts if anyone is interested I can post up some photos of the work. Also if anyone has done this job before and can make some recommendations I'm all ears. I've read pretty much every thread on this topic here, as well as numerous other forums. Looking forward to having a four season boat.
Why hydronic? This was the hardest decision to make versus forced air.
1) Our boat, (Hunter 410) would need at least 20'+ of 4 inch duct work running from the stern forward, followed by another 15+' of 3 inch duct to ensure that our forward pullman berth and forward head had adequate airflow to heat properly if we chose forced air. There is no easy way to make this happen. Instead with hydronic we're running .75" hotwater line from stern to bow and back. It won't be simple, but we'll get a much cleaner install.
2) Having 3 different heating zones. We're putting in three heater cores, each will have short two out put ducts that have small computer fans (low DC draw) to move air. Three heater cores mean three zones for cabin temperatures. ie) The forward berth can be kept cool, the main cabin warm, and the aft berth very warm. With forced air we wouldn't get this option.
3) Heating the hot water tank. This is a real bonus on the hook that hydronic does.
4) It is the quietest system.
The biggest negative I can see is that it won't heat the boat as quickly, nor will it dry a boat out as efficiently forced air. We already have a decent dehumidifier that we use when on the dock. and the boat has excellent ventilation with good dorades, and lots of hatches so I'm not really concerned. I've spoke with one other own of a Hunter 410 who has had an Espar Hydronic on his boat for years and has said it has worked brilliantly and is cheap to maintain.
We've found a very highly recommended local installer who is going to let us assist with the installation to help keep our costs down. Our plan is one heater core under the aft berth, one under the starboard settee, and one under the forward pullman. The sleeping cabins will have one duct run for the cabin, and one to the respective head while the mainsalon will get two output ducts/vents.
Once work starts if anyone is interested I can post up some photos of the work. Also if anyone has done this job before and can make some recommendations I'm all ears. I've read pretty much every thread on this topic here, as well as numerous other forums. Looking forward to having a four season boat.
Last edited: