How do you heat your trailer sailer?

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Sep 5, 2007
689
MacGregor 26X Rochester
RE: cabin heat; when on shore power or auxillary power I have found a small WalMart $15 ceramic heater to be ideal.
Yeah, that's what I use. I also have a pair of $8 specials from the BORG, and run all three of them plus an oil filled unit in the garage to make it usable when I have to stay out there for a while (I have a subpanel and plenty of juice out there). Whether it's a $90 West Marine 1400W pancake heater, or an $8 1400W cheapo heater, it's the same heat for the same electric use, so the cheapo will work just as well as the solid platinum version. The taller ones are tippy if the boat is moving, so I don't use it other than attended in my protected slip (probably the big advantage of the WM pancake unit), of course.
 

JasonC

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Jun 13, 2011
135
Macgregor 26M Fredericksburg
I just bought a Coleman or trip tomorrow, I will let you know how it does
 
Apr 5, 2010
565
Catalina 27- 1984 Grapevine
The Gas Fireplace

Make sure your wives don't see this picture, they might want one. Ours is now mounted on the wall. Gives off great heat, nice fireplace for any boat or RV.
 

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Texrob

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Apr 26, 2011
78
Hunter Cherubini 27 Lake Travis Austin, Texas
shipwreck66 said:
Make sure your wives don't see this picture, they might want one. Ours is now mounted on the wall. Gives off great heat, nice fireplace for any boat or RV.
Where did you get that and what are the dimension? It looks nice!
 
Jul 22, 2009
44
2 26M Pilot
I have curtains that attach with velcro and wall off the sleeping area. I also have a 200 watt ac heater and a 200 watt dc heater. Either one will take off the chill without running
down the batteries (I don't run them all night). I have a coleman propane heater which
heats things faster but makes things wet and I worry about fumes. I need to put in a
carbon monoxide detector.
 
Apr 5, 2010
565
Catalina 27- 1984 Grapevine
The fireplace was from Northern Tool last year for $99, runs on a 1lb propane bottle. yes it is cool. We are having the annual parade of lights in a few weeks and will have our Christmas stockings hung over the fireplace. The day the pic was taken it was actually snowing outside, and nice and cozy inside. I have since removed the table as we rarely used it and installed the fireplace on that wall
 

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Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
The fireplace was from Northern Tool last year for $99, runs on a 1lb propane bottle...
If you decide on one of these don't forget that you still need adequate ventilation...

http://www.northerntool.com/downloads/manuals/177951.pdf

....and the Catalina 27 has quite a few more cubic feet of interior space compared to the S or D or older Mac/Ventures.

Sorry if I'm a little paranoid about using heaters and stoves in our small boats. Seems like most winters we read about someone dying in their boat,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links
 
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Apr 5, 2010
565
Catalina 27- 1984 Grapevine
Always check your flame. It's the generators that get people with CO. Also, with a 1lb. bottle the risk is relatively small, now with a big bottle I'd worry more.
 
Nov 9, 2011
23
Tibato MacGregor 26M Chicoutimi
Do not store propane bottles inside your boat. Never sleep with a coleman heater on, catalytic or open flame. Propane is a heavier than air gas. On any kind of leak, it accumulates at the bottom of the boat.

Moreover, if you are asleep and for any raison the flame or the catalytic reaction flames out, the propane supply will continue and the gas will accumulate in the boat, from the bottom up. These heaters have no pilot flame.

Any spark will then cause the air-gas mixture to explode, burning the boat and your body.

It happened on the Saint-Jean lake last year. Both people survived with third degree burns on more than 50 % of their body.

I do not use these catalytic heaters anymore. They are stored pending destruction. I use an alcool heater (methylic hydrate). This fuel is usually used as paint thinner. It is non explosive, non toxic, the fire can be extinguished with water, and the combustion generates 50 % less water than propane per oxydized molecule.

As for any combustion, it generates CO2 that takes the place of O2. Just keep the place vented. Il you experience a headache, vent a little more.

http://www.tentipi.se/index.php?id=165

I have the extra tank. I put 2 cups of fuel in each of them, which represents a 50% fill. That way, the alcohool won't boil and hence alcohol vapors won't irritate eyes if I extinguish it before it is empty. I let it burn itself out. More comfortable. I can change tank after 3 hours, without having to fill the tank in the middle of the night.

But the main advantage is sleeping in total safety, without second thought.

You can buy the fuel at the paint department of any hardware store. They have it in 1 gallon canister ou 1 pint plastic bottle. 7 $ CAD per pint. 1 pint = one Canadian September night !

Do not purchase it in marine stores: much too expensive. The hardware version is guaranteed 99.9% pure. No smoke, no smell, no trouble, NO WORRY!
 
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Aug 15, 2010
376
MacGregor 22 Hilo
Yeah, that's what I use. I also have a pair of $8 specials from the BORG, .
What?! No Star Trek TNG fans out there gonna jump on that? :D

Q: Why did the Borg get rid of their electric heaters?

A: Because electric heaters work on the principle of resistance; and as we all know....(You're thinking it, even if you're not saying it aloud! )

:laugh:
 
Oct 26, 2011
25
seaStan said:
I have curtains that attach with velcro and wall off the sleeping area. I also have a 200 watt ac heater and a 200 watt dc heater. Either one will take off the chill without running
down the batteries (I don't run them all night). I have a coleman propane heater which
heats things faster but makes things wet and I worry about fumes. I need to put in a
carbon monoxide detector.
SeaStan I have the exact same thing I had my curtains cut and fitted with Velcro holding them tight against the cabin walls cost a bit but provides good privacy forward v berth and aft berth I'll post a pic if I can find one. Also have a 160 watt heater out of the cigarette lighter. But I found that the pull was to strong and it melted the fuse conecter. Plus I think the wire to the cigarette lighter is too small. How do you run your dc heater and your ax heater? I think we are all on the same page re: the Coleman gas heater.
 
Jul 22, 2009
44
2 26M Pilot
I have a 12 volt plug that comes directly off the batteries, (2) and it has a separate 30 amp fuse. I switch off one of the batteries so I always have reserve power to start the motor. I also have a 1500 watt inverter that runs off the batteries, shore power, or a generator if I can figure out how to run it when I am underway. When I am working on the boat at home, I use a 1500 watt electric heater but it would cook the batteries in short order. I have tried it on the inverter and it will work, though. I also have a 6000 watt ac unit which will also run off the inverter. It is a very small unit that I vent through the entrance hatch with a plate I made that also holds 2 extra speakers for the stereo which I can turn either in or out. The new hatch is 2 part so with only one piece on, I can still step over to get in and out. They are made out of 1/4 inch plexiglass to give me more light and the top one has a opening hatch in it. More velcro curtains of course. I think I spend more time working on these projects than I do sailing.
 
Jun 3, 2004
1,863
Macgregor 25 So. Cal.
Do not store propane bottles inside your boat. Never sleep with a coleman heater on, catalytic or open flame. Propane is a heavier than air gas. On any kind of leak, it accumulates at the bottom of the boat.

The heater you speak is an open flame.

Moreover, if you are asleep and for any raison the flame or the catalytic reaction flames out, the propane supply will continue and the gas will accumulate in the boat, from the bottom up. These heaters have no pilot flame.

Any spark will then cause the air-gas mixture to explode, burning the boat and your body.

It happened on the Saint-Jean lake last year. Both people survived with third degree burns on more than 50 % of their body.

I do not use these catalytic heaters anymore. They are stored pending destruction. I use an alcool heater (methylic hydrate). This fuel is usually used as paint thinner. It is non explosive, non toxic, the fire can be extinguished with water, and the combustion generates 50 % less water than propane per oxydized molecule.

If drank, this alcohol will cause blindness and death. I have been in larger older boats that used alcohol to cook with and it adds way more moisture to the boat than propane And propane burns hotter. The alcohol flame is almost invisiable so that when lit it is dangerous. Alcohol fuel has been used by world cruisers because of availibility but now that propane has become more common more are switching.

As for any combustion, it generates CO2 that takes the place of O2. Just keep the place vented. Il you experience a headache, vent a little more.

CO2 is the same as dry ice that will cause drowning from lack of oxgen.

CO is the result of combustion and is poison and keeps you lungs from absorbing oxgen.

http://www.tentipi.se/index.php?id=165

I have the extra tank. I put 2 cups of fuel in each of them, which represents a 50% fill. That way, the alcohool won't boil and hence alcohol vapors won't irritate eyes if I extinguish it before it is empty. I let it burn itself out. More comfortable. I can change tank after 3 hours, without having to fill the tank in the middle of the night.

But the main advantage is sleeping in total safety, without second thought.:naughty:

You can buy the fuel at the paint department of any hardware store. They have it in 1 gallon canister ou 1 pint plastic bottle. 7 $ CAD per pint. 1 pint = one Canadian September night !

Do not purchase it in marine stores: much too expensive. The hardware version is guaranteed 99.9% pure. No smoke, no smell, no trouble, NO WORRY![/quote]

I would not bet my life on that.:naughty:
 
Apr 24, 2006
868
Aloha 32 Toronto, Lake Ontario
Kestle said:
Today, I removed the door to he head, and will be replacing it with a curtain. At anchor, it was too noisy. That gave me an idea to mount a heater in the head, as the curtain will be tied back, and unreachable to the header anyway.

Des the model you describe have a wall mount?

Jeff
I just had to respond about the noisy head door. Add a magnetic catch and it will be silent. Leave the original latch in place for keeping it closed sailing/trailering.

We would never get rid of the door. The Blue Marine storage unit on the inside holds a ton of stuff.

Chris
 
Jun 3, 2004
1,863
Macgregor 25 So. Cal.
Here is some cool heater info

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/47451-cabin-heat.html

We are taking our 26D on it's first sleep over at the After Turkey Day Sail Mission Bay. I have the beds made up in the aft compartment (tested for comfort), front compartment holds all the "stuff" for camping , the pottie is dumped, my new PopTop Cover is being made and we have access to the marina facilities.

Question: If it gets cold, how do I heat the boat if there is no shore power? I saw a alcohol stove on Ebay. How safe are they?:confused: Where do you place it?

Thanks
 

Kestle

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Jun 12, 2011
702
MacGregor 25 San Pedro
holdech said:
I just had to respond about the noisy head door. Add a magnetic catch and it will be silent. Leave the original latch in place for keeping it closed sailing/trailering.

We would never get rid of the door. The Blue Marine storage unit on the inside holds a ton of stuff.

Chris
Brilliant idea! Many thanks!

Jeff
 

Kestle

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Jun 12, 2011
702
MacGregor 25 San Pedro
I have been researching your idea of using methyl hydrate. I found that it is still dangerous via skin or inhalation. It is not as safe as you suspect. I'm still looking into it.

Jeff
 
Oct 26, 2011
25
SeaStan good man I'm more of a cruiser and snoozer myself so I think mods to make you more comfortable are a plus. I like what you've done with your power supplies if I get enough money together this winter I'll be doing the same. If you ever navigate transatlantic look me up. All the best.
 
Jun 3, 2004
1,863
Macgregor 25 So. Cal.
Sooooo!

How was your trip and did you stay warm????:confused:

We are taking our 26D on it's first sleep over at the After Turkey Day Sail Mission Bay. I have the beds made up in the aft compartment (tested for comfort), front compartment holds all the "stuff" for camping , the pottie is dumped, my new PopTop Cover is being made and we have access to the marina facilities.

Question: If it gets cold, how do I heat the boat if there is no shore power? I saw a alcohol stove on Ebay. How safe are they?:confused: Where do you place it?

Thanks
 
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