Has anyone used an electric heater, or some other kind of heater on a Hunter 26 when in a slip at the marina. Apparently Hunter does not endorse this practice, but they don't say why. I'm very interested in hearing from anyone who has used some type of heater on their Hunter 26, pros & cons.
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Not sure why either.
Assuming that your circut breaker is large enough to handle the AC load that is required, I do not see why not. Of course from a liability stand point, you know where they are comming from. We use one on our H'31 and it works well. We DO have problems if we try to use any high amp applicance with the heater (vaccumn, coffee pot etc). If we are making coffee we just turn off the heater for the 10 mins. that it takes and then *fire* the heater up again. This would also apply to microwaves, toaster ovens etc.
Assuming that your circut breaker is large enough to handle the AC load that is required, I do not see why not. Of course from a liability stand point, you know where they are comming from. We use one on our H'31 and it works well. We DO have problems if we try to use any high amp applicance with the heater (vaccumn, coffee pot etc). If we are making coffee we just turn off the heater for the 10 mins. that it takes and then *fire* the heater up again. This would also apply to microwaves, toaster ovens etc.
Same as Steve
I run a 1500 W ceramic heater on the boat all the time. As Steve said, you can't run it with another electric appliance usually. If you do, the breaker will trip and remind you. I have to admit to a double standard here too; I insist on unplugging the microwave when not in use, but the ceramic heater is my primary winterizing tool. I leave it plugged in and set to turn on at 34 degrees, run til it's 50 degrees, and then turn off again. It keeps the entire boat well above freezing but I do have to move some panel to make sure the engine/battery compartment gets the heat as well. Dangerous? Probably, but a ceramic heater itself will not start a fire, it's the electric portion that will. I regularly (everytime I'm on the boat) inspect all cables, outlets, connections, etc. for proper condition or any sign of wear. At $19 the heaters are easy to replace.
I run a 1500 W ceramic heater on the boat all the time. As Steve said, you can't run it with another electric appliance usually. If you do, the breaker will trip and remind you. I have to admit to a double standard here too; I insist on unplugging the microwave when not in use, but the ceramic heater is my primary winterizing tool. I leave it plugged in and set to turn on at 34 degrees, run til it's 50 degrees, and then turn off again. It keeps the entire boat well above freezing but I do have to move some panel to make sure the engine/battery compartment gets the heat as well. Dangerous? Probably, but a ceramic heater itself will not start a fire, it's the electric portion that will. I regularly (everytime I'm on the boat) inspect all cables, outlets, connections, etc. for proper condition or any sign of wear. At $19 the heaters are easy to replace.
Northerner's response
I couldn't help notice that this post has people from California and Texas wondering about heaters in their boats. As a Minnesota sailer, I can assure you the extra warm clothing readily available in my area is safer and nice to have aboard whether you need it or not. Seriously, though, I have read in the BoatUS pub that it is not so much the electric heaters that are a problem as people using them without being in the boat when they are on. I have on occasion used a heater when working on the boat in inclement weather to "supplement" the parka everyone that lives here wears 6 months out of the year....
I couldn't help notice that this post has people from California and Texas wondering about heaters in their boats. As a Minnesota sailer, I can assure you the extra warm clothing readily available in my area is safer and nice to have aboard whether you need it or not. Seriously, though, I have read in the BoatUS pub that it is not so much the electric heaters that are a problem as people using them without being in the boat when they are on. I have on occasion used a heater when working on the boat in inclement weather to "supplement" the parka everyone that lives here wears 6 months out of the year....
Heater
We used a $30 Home Depot heater for at least 6 years and replaced it with a like model after it got too noisy.Never a problem.Do have to turn it off when using the microwave and its only used when we are on board.
We used a $30 Home Depot heater for at least 6 years and replaced it with a like model after it got too noisy.Never a problem.Do have to turn it off when using the microwave and its only used when we are on board.
Never used one but...
The first weekend we spent on our 26, the microwave wouldn't work. We thought it was broke, but it turned out that every other boat at the marina was running their heaters, and the voltage was too low for the microwave. As most of the boats were Hunters, it seems to me that they weren't too worried about it. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
The first weekend we spent on our 26, the microwave wouldn't work. We thought it was broke, but it turned out that every other boat at the marina was running their heaters, and the voltage was too low for the microwave. As most of the boats were Hunters, it seems to me that they weren't too worried about it. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
A related question...or two
So what about heat when you're NOT at a slip ie: anchored out? I'm just curious what folks to in that situation for heat. I just got a small butane heater (uses 8oz. canister like the small stove) and was just wondering what else folks use. Question #2, you guys talk about your microwaves this and that. I assume that these are small portables being we're talkin a 26' boat right? (I know you 30+ footers probably have built-ins) Tom
So what about heat when you're NOT at a slip ie: anchored out? I'm just curious what folks to in that situation for heat. I just got a small butane heater (uses 8oz. canister like the small stove) and was just wondering what else folks use. Question #2, you guys talk about your microwaves this and that. I assume that these are small portables being we're talkin a 26' boat right? (I know you 30+ footers probably have built-ins) Tom
Rick...?
Do you have any problems with fumes? In the past we have tried the ceramic flower pot upside down on out Origo single buner stove but there were fumes that kinda made your eyes burn so we turned it off and used the butane stove. Don't know if the fumes were from the alcohol or the flower pot. I am going to bake the flower pot in the oven at home to make sure that source is gone and try it again, but got the butane heater anyway. On another note I thought that butane was lighter than air which is one reason I was going with it, but as it turns out, it's not ;-( , oh well. So that brings up the question of ventilation. How much is enough? Is it enough with the companion way canvas up and a crack in a hatch/port? Just curious. Thanks for your views, don't want to croak. Tom
Do you have any problems with fumes? In the past we have tried the ceramic flower pot upside down on out Origo single buner stove but there were fumes that kinda made your eyes burn so we turned it off and used the butane stove. Don't know if the fumes were from the alcohol or the flower pot. I am going to bake the flower pot in the oven at home to make sure that source is gone and try it again, but got the butane heater anyway. On another note I thought that butane was lighter than air which is one reason I was going with it, but as it turns out, it's not ;-( , oh well. So that brings up the question of ventilation. How much is enough? Is it enough with the companion way canvas up and a crack in a hatch/port? Just curious. Thanks for your views, don't want to croak. Tom
Monoxide
Remember - any source of flame will emit monoxide. If your serious about heating, look into something that’s vented.
Remember - any source of flame will emit monoxide. If your serious about heating, look into something that’s vented.
Body heat or heater
So often is the question asked about heating on board a small boat, manufacturers will not comment due to liability. Personally, I will avoid a fuel type heater as some people will tend to forget to ventilate the fumes from the cabin. Not good medically and you could use up all the oxygen which would mean the end or ? I remember a Scout Master who used a fuel type heater in an unventilated tent and as a result, they found him dead. Ok, maybe I am too cautious but that is only my opinion. The key to the question is at the dock. I bought an electric thermastically controlled ceramic heater which works well. You might want to think along this route but whatever you do, be safe/ Crazy Daave
So often is the question asked about heating on board a small boat, manufacturers will not comment due to liability. Personally, I will avoid a fuel type heater as some people will tend to forget to ventilate the fumes from the cabin. Not good medically and you could use up all the oxygen which would mean the end or ? I remember a Scout Master who used a fuel type heater in an unventilated tent and as a result, they found him dead. Ok, maybe I am too cautious but that is only my opinion. The key to the question is at the dock. I bought an electric thermastically controlled ceramic heater which works well. You might want to think along this route but whatever you do, be safe/ Crazy Daave
Just a note....
I DO NOT run a fuel type heater while we are sleeping and I DO have a CO detector. Tom
I DO NOT run a fuel type heater while we are sleeping and I DO have a CO detector. Tom
Another Option?
When I lived up north I kept one of those electric oil radiator type (not sure what they are really called)heaters in the garage. While it was not the smallest or the warmest space heater. It's appeal was that no part of it was too hot to touch, had no open flame, or arcing possibilities. With a enclosed space such as a boat I think it would work very well.
When I lived up north I kept one of those electric oil radiator type (not sure what they are really called)heaters in the garage. While it was not the smallest or the warmest space heater. It's appeal was that no part of it was too hot to touch, had no open flame, or arcing possibilities. With a enclosed space such as a boat I think it would work very well.
Kerosene Heater
Ok... I'm ready for everyone to jump all over me, but I recently bought a Kerosene Heater for my H37C. It is the unvented type. I did a lot of research on these types of heaters and, "Yes," you most definately need to have a bunch of hatches open. Down here in Houston it doesn't get really cold and if it weren't for my fridgid (only in the boat) wife I could live without it. The unit I bought is 8000BTU's and is self contained and insulated on three sides so it will fit in a small area. It costs $149.95 plus shipping. If you want to do some really interesting reading about kerosene heaters try: http://members.tripod.com/~Kerosene_Heaters/index.html As a little boy growing up in Connecticut we heated our small apartment with kerosene. Lin and Larry Pardey heat their boat with kerosene, but there's is the vented type. Ron
Ok... I'm ready for everyone to jump all over me, but I recently bought a Kerosene Heater for my H37C. It is the unvented type. I did a lot of research on these types of heaters and, "Yes," you most definately need to have a bunch of hatches open. Down here in Houston it doesn't get really cold and if it weren't for my fridgid (only in the boat) wife I could live without it. The unit I bought is 8000BTU's and is self contained and insulated on three sides so it will fit in a small area. It costs $149.95 plus shipping. If you want to do some really interesting reading about kerosene heaters try: http://members.tripod.com/~Kerosene_Heaters/index.html As a little boy growing up in Connecticut we heated our small apartment with kerosene. Lin and Larry Pardey heat their boat with kerosene, but there's is the vented type. Ron
"Tested Results" on Origo Alcohol Heater
As we've talked about it a great deal recently, thought I'd input what I ended up with for the weekend cruise. I originally considered the Zodi Hot Vent with 12vdc blower that resides outside the boat and has a four inch hose to blow only heated air into the vessel. Was relatively cheap but AFTER I ordered it, they called and said the Y2K doomsayers bought them out of stock and I could not get one until, oh, June! I think it was Rick that said he'd used the alcohol stove, so I bought two of the Origo models with non-pressurized tanks. We filled the tanks as designed (about a third full when tilted back to flat) and "fired that mother up". I used two units in an H31. Main hatch open four inches, solar fan cover open all the way. Boat temperature at lighting: 33 degrees. We timed how long it would take to get the boat to 68 degrees with units on "high": 22 minutes (I was impressed) Turned units down to "half". And started timer again. The book said that one unit with "full" (as designed) tank on "high" setting would last 7 hours. We found this highly inaccurate as we had the units on "half" and they went out somewhere between 3 and 4 am after only 4 - 5 hours of use. We all woke up about the same time (5am) in 40 degree cabin temperature (outside was 27). I miscalculated the amount of fuel required and ended up using the Origo stove alcohol supply to supply heat for the remainder of the morning. (Good thing I do most of my cooking with the Kenyon Butane stove.) The Origo is made well (as usual) and is simple to operate, fuel, extinguish, stow, etc. as usual. Provided excellent heat through radiating cover. Drawback: Uses a lot of fuel, but alcohol was only $4 per gallon and my boat has tons of room to stow lots of fuel.
As we've talked about it a great deal recently, thought I'd input what I ended up with for the weekend cruise. I originally considered the Zodi Hot Vent with 12vdc blower that resides outside the boat and has a four inch hose to blow only heated air into the vessel. Was relatively cheap but AFTER I ordered it, they called and said the Y2K doomsayers bought them out of stock and I could not get one until, oh, June! I think it was Rick that said he'd used the alcohol stove, so I bought two of the Origo models with non-pressurized tanks. We filled the tanks as designed (about a third full when tilted back to flat) and "fired that mother up". I used two units in an H31. Main hatch open four inches, solar fan cover open all the way. Boat temperature at lighting: 33 degrees. We timed how long it would take to get the boat to 68 degrees with units on "high": 22 minutes (I was impressed) Turned units down to "half". And started timer again. The book said that one unit with "full" (as designed) tank on "high" setting would last 7 hours. We found this highly inaccurate as we had the units on "half" and they went out somewhere between 3 and 4 am after only 4 - 5 hours of use. We all woke up about the same time (5am) in 40 degree cabin temperature (outside was 27). I miscalculated the amount of fuel required and ended up using the Origo stove alcohol supply to supply heat for the remainder of the morning. (Good thing I do most of my cooking with the Kenyon Butane stove.) The Origo is made well (as usual) and is simple to operate, fuel, extinguish, stow, etc. as usual. Provided excellent heat through radiating cover. Drawback: Uses a lot of fuel, but alcohol was only $4 per gallon and my boat has tons of room to stow lots of fuel.
Heat for People vs Heat for Condensation
If you are heating to keep down condensation (big problem in the Northwest), a 100 watt light bulb on a ceramic base in a coffe can works great! For personal comfort, a small ceramic heater works just fine. Be careful to leave drip loops in the power cord and keep it away from on open companionway during rain. I agree with the earlier posts, using an unvented fuel heater in an enclose space is simply fool hardy. Tom
If you are heating to keep down condensation (big problem in the Northwest), a 100 watt light bulb on a ceramic base in a coffe can works great! For personal comfort, a small ceramic heater works just fine. Be careful to leave drip loops in the power cord and keep it away from on open companionway during rain. I agree with the earlier posts, using an unvented fuel heater in an enclose space is simply fool hardy. Tom
Fool Hardy
The object of using an unvented heater in an enclosed space is to OPEN the hatches. Then it is no longer an unvented heater. Hatches = Vents. Using any heater in an unvented space is fool hardy...Duh!
The object of using an unvented heater in an enclosed space is to OPEN the hatches. Then it is no longer an unvented heater. Hatches = Vents. Using any heater in an unvented space is fool hardy...Duh!
Monoxide
Sorry, that Fool Hardy comment caught me off guard. Kerosene has a 98% efficiency burn which means it gives off very little monoxide if properly adjusted. Same as kerosene lamps. An 8000 BTU unit will burn for approximately 13 hrs on 1 gal of fuel. If the heater is placed under a hatch, the natural draft will pull any fumes out (just like the smoke from a fire in an Indian Tee-Pee). The result is, a very warm and SAFELY heated boat. As with any open flame heater, turn it off before you go to bed. Better to wake up cold than crispy. I for one would not use alcohol on a boat under any circumstances. Alcohol is highly flamable and somewhat hard to extingush, where as kerosene is just the opposite. Of course, the final decision is always the Captain's, so good luck and stay warm. Ron
Sorry, that Fool Hardy comment caught me off guard. Kerosene has a 98% efficiency burn which means it gives off very little monoxide if properly adjusted. Same as kerosene lamps. An 8000 BTU unit will burn for approximately 13 hrs on 1 gal of fuel. If the heater is placed under a hatch, the natural draft will pull any fumes out (just like the smoke from a fire in an Indian Tee-Pee). The result is, a very warm and SAFELY heated boat. As with any open flame heater, turn it off before you go to bed. Better to wake up cold than crispy. I for one would not use alcohol on a boat under any circumstances. Alcohol is highly flamable and somewhat hard to extingush, where as kerosene is just the opposite. Of course, the final decision is always the Captain's, so good luck and stay warm. Ron
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