How do you heat your trailer sailer?

Merlin Clark · Oct 30, 2011

I haven't but am thinking of one of these: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/subcategory.asp?categoryid=3000
but not the fire pit or fireplace haha!

timebandit · Oct 30, 2011

I have 2 Sport Cats to take the chill off and even use them in the cockpit if the wind is not up.

A single mantle colman lantern running on high will produce a lot of heat too.

Do be sure to ventilate whatever you use.

I have the one sport cat tied to the table leg so it stays put and there is a big wire stand that keep the black cat in position.

Here is a sport cat--

timebandit · Oct 30, 2011

Here is the Sport Cat running--

Sumner · Oct 30, 2011

We have a heater like TB's and used it a couple mornings last spring in the morning then it got warm. A year ago in the fall we didn't have anything and it got down in the low 30's at night and about 40 in the boat and we just took the chill off in the morning making coffee.

It is warmer also leaving the pop-top down at night and in the morning we have warmed up in the past making coffee. I push the pop-top up a couple inches and put a short piece of 2X4 under its forward edge above the stove and we open the companion way to get ventilation to the stove. The small cabin heats very quickly.

I'd never have any of these running at night while sleeping. Take some extra blankets and you will be warm. We like the V-berth as it is smaller and easier to keep warm in. We still crack the hatch just a bit to keep from getting condensation.

The boats are actually pretty warm as the bottoms are in water that will be warmer than the air. Hey I was in boot camp there in Mar. and they only gave us one blanket, so I'm sure you will be fine.

Have a good trip,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

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WhiteDown · Oct 30, 2011

Hi r. Oril and others. I also have been grappling with this problem as I live in Ireland we stayed on the water all last winter and the summer wasn't much better but I am determined to find the best solution. I also have a cat but also a 2.5 year old son and I imagine that if I had that thing on his face would look like a waffle before we all died of carbon monoxide. I also have a very small 60 watt ceramic fan blower used a a windshield defroster on trucks which is plugged into the cigarette lighter on my x. My latest scheme is to research h an electrical system using a second leisure battery which. Oils put out allot more heat the final option would be to spend about EUR1000 on an Esenbacher system which would use diesel to burn and expel the fumes outside. Or to get fan blower stove set that would blow the propane out from under the stove top. Whatever you use I think a fan is necessary due to the massive condensation. This winter I'll be doing one of these mods and will keep you a breast of it and how it goes. Good luck and happy thanksgiving trip.

timebandit · Oct 31, 2011

White Down, if I had an X or M with taller walls I might look into a Cozzy Cabin Heater by Sig Marine.

Knot Tied Down · Oct 31, 2011

I used a cheap coleman heater that put out 2800 btu on high, and this made it comfortable enough last week in Michigan when it dipped into the 20's. I would invest in a carbon monoxide detector if planning to use heat. I had my heater running all evening/night without a problem. The boat (26x) is a bit drafty and didnt stay warm long, but that was better in my mind to have fresh air.
I will probably buy a sportcat or simular for the spring. Good luck and have fun!

Mic Jones · Oct 31, 2011

Going solo and keeping warm.

In bed (Vee birth) ---- a hot water bottle for me is a must. Loose sweats, large wool work socks and touque. Minus 10 C, sleeping bag unzipped at the side. Egg carton type foam under the boat cushions. Day clothes are under a top blanket to keep warm for the morning. Pee can, hospital type, at the side of the bed. That porta potty is cold at 2:00 am and too far away. Sorry Admirals. Pop top vented open. I would like one of those fwd hatch vents but would they freeze up?

When in the cabin --- like Sum, I crack open the pop top wider. Coleman black cat hanging from the pop top strut over or under the table and or alcohol stove. I wear loose fitting thermal under wear (top and bottom) wool sweaters, sweat pants and touque as required. I also use the hot water bottle with a wool cover or towel over it against my lower back when sat in the cabin. Don't have back problems its just nice.

Top side --- cabin wear plus light weight gortex wind breaker top and bottom and only a small floatation cushion to sit on which saves warming and de-icing the seat or cushions every time I move. I keep moving around or standing it is a must till it warms up.

Have done this several times and still looking for improvements to extend our very short boating season.

(Interpretation. I refer to Sweats - aka- track suits- gym warm up. Get them at Total etc)

WhiteDown · Oct 31, 2011

Mic jones. Where are you from you sound like your from 53 degrees north and about 6 degrees west. Am I right?

MrBill_FLL · Oct 31, 2011

I've used a very small century propane lantern which warmed the cabin nicely.

but I find a small oil lamp just enough to take the chill out in the morning. and great for warming hands.

you can also put a clay pot over a stove for a quick heater.

tkanzler · Nov 1, 2011

You can use a 12V electric blanket for $25-35 to take the chill out of the bedding. At 3-4A, it shouldn't kill your house batteries as long as you will be recharging them at some point, though that may be the problem right there.

A propane radiant heater will certainly take the chill out, but ventilation is a must (as already stated), along with a CO monitor (as already stated), and I wouldn't sleep with one running, either (as already stated). They also throw off a lot of humidity.

Short of a real vented heating system, I don't see a good way around arctic sleeping bags and the right clothes for cold weather camping, which is essentially what you're doing.

MrBill_FLL · Nov 1, 2011

companion way covers, screens, and A/C covers

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/P1000513.jpg

fwiw, I normally run the oil lamp all night very low, and crack a hatch... its just enough to take the dampness out.

propane does introduce humidity, and if you seal the boat too well, it creates droplets on the ceiling.

probably not a big issue on the west coast... in fla, humidity is always an issue. thus change to the oil lamp.

timebandit · Nov 1, 2011

If it is really cold (not in socal) I have this curtain which will close off the v berth and head and with the wall down the back of the cabin there is very lettle to heat.

If I had an S or D I might think about a pair of curtains to close off the berth under the cockpit.

Justin_NSA · Nov 1, 2011

[FONT=&quot]Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

Stu Jackson · Nov 1, 2011

We use the Coleman catalytic heater and a large trawler lamp.

MrBill_FLL · Nov 1, 2011

Justin_NSA said:
[FONT=&quot]Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

[/FONT]

http://instantrimshot.com/classic/?sound=rimshot

Justin_NSA · Nov 1, 2011

MrBill_FLL said:
http://instantrimshot.com/classic/?sound=rimshot

LOL!

All seriousness aside, we sail in a big puddle. When we stay overnight it's in our slip with shore power. A little ceramic heater works.