Nimble Arctic & Dickinson Heaters

[unclecurt]

Hi.

New to this forum, and recent owner of a Nimble Arctic which I'm currently renovating after some years of neglect.

One of the items on my list is adding a heater. So far, I've narrowed the choices to the Dickinson Newport - either solid fuel or propane. I've been reading on the two and there appear to be, as with most things, pros and cons depending ultimately on a balance of attributes. The Arctic is not currently set up for propane.

So, without going into all that, does anyone here have experience with either the solid fuel or propane Dickinson Newport in a Nimble Arctic or similar design?

I have in mind to find a spot somewhere in the pilothouse with a small circulating fan. The interior of the boat is not spacious enough to allow for a lot of options, but I'm thinking a heater would be great for Spring and Fall on northern Lake Huron & Superior. Hey, to be honest, it would probably be good at night in July....

Not planning to live aboard really, but maybe a couple weeks at a time exploring & coastal cruising.

Thanks!

Ps. I've asked the question on the Nimble forum as well, but there seems to be a lot of experience here so maybe someone can advise.

 

[centerline]

the solid fuel heater is at best a "warmer"... not as much heat output as you will want in the lakes region.
and it is the most dangerous of the the two in terms of carbon monoxide output, although in a properly installed/working unit this is not much of a worry... but the fuel can be a pain to deal with as no matter how carefully you handle it, particles and dust escape from it.

the propane heater puts out quite a bit more BTU's over time, because its constant, and its much cleaner burning without residual dust and filth from solid fuels.
but the fuel is the the dangerous factor here because its explosive....but handled correctly, its as safe as any other.

the newport diesel heater is the leader in heat output hands down. LOTS more output.
but it takes longer to get started, and it can be messy when doing the routine service, which it needs periodically (every other month or so).... its the best choice if you are going to be running it for long lengths of time of several weeks or months, but because it doesnt like to be used as a quick, sometimes heater, it is not a good choice for a weekender...

the propane unit is quick and clean with a fair heat output....

the solid fuel heater can be the most affordable of the three, but it can only create as much heat output as the fuel you put into it has to offer... and most solid fuels will only burn so fast, and so they can only put out a given amount of heat.
i think the solid fuel heater would be perfectly suited for taking the chill off of a cool july evening.... or keeping a pot of coffee hot

 

[unclecurt]

Thanks for the info.

I've done some homework on the options. Diesel is not of interest for various reasons, and the Arctic is not set up for diesel (or propane).

The pros/cons as I see it :

Dickinson Newport Solid fuel:

Pros : the fuel doesn't explode, leak or need to be properly plumbed and stored in a vented location. Fuel can be easily stored and prepackaged for use. I don't plan to have to look for it, but just in case, fuel can be found anywhere I will find myself on this boat. No moisture buildup inside the cabin. I personally like wood stoves and don't feel the ash would be much to deal with, with the exception of if it gets on my sails or if it might get on someone else's boat, which would be completely unacceptable. I anchor in remote locations for the most part with no neighbors, but might end up in a harbor from time to time.

Cons : More mess to deal with. Possible mess to clean up on top of the pilothouse and maybe sail cover. Not sure how wind would affect the stove. 3" flue is single walled, so it can get hot. There's a fix for this, but it's still a disadvantage. No fan to circulate the heat, but a small fan near the heater apparently takes care of this. Draws O2 from inside the cabin. By the time you add the required accessories to the solid fuel stove, it costs as much as the propane version which comes with required "accessories" to make the stove functional.

Dickinson Newport propane fuel :

Pro's : Propane is cleaner burning and no mess to deal with. Combustion air is drawn down through the outer section of the 3" double walled flue and exhaust is vented through the inner 1" section of the flue. Therefore, moisture buildup in the cabin is largely avoided. Easily turned on or off. The flue pipe doesn't get as hot (or so I understand).

Cons : Propane can explode. Propane is heavier than air so it can accumulate in the boat/bilge in the event of a leak. Proper vented storage of a propane source is required. Propane lines, regulators and shut off valves are required. Not sure about the rate of consumption, so I will need to determine if it's practical from a propane storage standpoint. Propane will not always be readily available in my cruising areas.

So, as mentioned in my initial post, there are tradeoffs either way....

Cost :

The cost of the solid fuel heater ends up about the same as the propane fuel unit at the end of the day due to having to buy "accessories" which come standard with the propane version. Personally, I find this to be odd, but that's how it is. So, from a cost of equipment standpoint it's a wash. Cost of fuel is not much of a concern as my intention is periodic use for the time being.

Aside from the heater itself, the location is going to be challenging. There is nowhere to locate the heater near the cabin floor. It will have to be mounted somewhere in the pilothouse, probably aft starboard side to not interfere with the main and jib halyards. If I tore out the small galley, I could put it on that bulkhead, but that's not really an option at this point.

The Nimble Arctic isn't very common (46 built from 1988 - 1993) and it was replaced by the Nimble Kodiak. I haven't found an example of either one with a Dickinson Newport heater so far, although it seems to me to be the perfect type of heater for this style of boat.

Anyway, thanks for any experience to share with either of these heaters in a relatively small sailboat (26').

Thanks.

 

[Delezynski]

Unclecurt,

I have a bit of experience with the solid fuel heater. We have used it in area where there was snow on the dock, and in places not so severe.

WE LOVE IT!!!

At times we open the slider to view a bit of fire, like a fireplace. At other times I would put a small hand full of charcoal in brown paper sandwich bag, and use them. Each bag would give about 4 hours of heat. By counting the bags I knew how long I had before I had to stuff more bags. This also helped when re-stocking it during the night, hate to climb back in bed with dirty hands...

At this time, I found a nice oil lamp. I placed it inside the heater and light it. With the lamp under the chimney, it's sort of like on low heat. When I slide it back, under the top, not the chimney, it's on high. Our boat is well insulated and it keeps us warm to hot. I do use a fan to move the heat around the boat. A MUST have for any type of heater.

Greg

 

[Terry Cox]

Another Consideration

We had a Wallas 1300 on our first boat, an H28. Simple to use, forced air heat, quiet and a fuel and power miser. Highly recommend it. Select link that follows.

http://www.wallas.fi/index.php?id=47

 

[Chief RA]

Greg; always trying new things and that makes for fun things to do. I put a 12v computer fan on downdraft to draw the fresh air and pull the overhead heat down to the floor and it seems to work really well. This coupled with the fact that it only draws .07 amps is a great plus! Chief

 

[mitiempo]

Cost :

The cost of the solid fuel heater ends up about the same as the propane fuel unit at the end of the day due to having to buy "accessories" which come standard with the propane version. Personally, I find this to be odd, but that's how it is. So, from a cost of equipment standpoint it's a wash. Cost of fuel is not much of a concern as my intention is periodic use for the time being.

Not really. All you need to buy as extras for the solid fuel Newport is a stack, deck fitting, and smoke head. The propane heater does come with this but will require a propane tank, propane locker that drains overboard, solenoid, and a propane sniffer for safety and to please your insurance company, easily doubling the cost as your boat doesn't currently have propane.

 

[unclecurt]

True. Once the cost of installation of a propane system is taken into account, the solid fuel heater appears to be more economical. It will be interesting to hear more on how they each perform in a relatively small sailboat.

I've had other boats, and currently have a Pearson 30 in addition to the Arctic, which would have benefited from a cabin heater but didn't bother with one. Now, and particularly with the Arctic, I think it's time...

Thanks for the info!

 

[mitiempo]

Biggest difference is the solid fuel heater requires tending. The propane heater just requires lighting, and that is done by pushing a button.

 

[unclecurt]

Priced out the solid fuel and propane versions and come up with about $600 to install the solid fuel Dickinson vs. $900 for the propane heater (which includes the propane line, regulator, etc). Both heaters found on sale online.

 

[unclecurt]

At this time, I found a nice oil lamp. I placed it inside the heater and light it. With the lamp under the chimney, it's sort of like on low heat. When I slide it back, under the top, not the chimney, it's on high. Greg

Thanks for sharing your experience with the heater, and for the idea on the oil lamp. The Nor'Sea 27 is a beautiful boat!

 

[Delezynski]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the heater, and for the idea on the oil lamp. The Nor'Sea 27 is a beautiful boat!

THANKS, we sure do think so.

And it's not just in her looks. Cruised full time 24/7/365 for a few years. No cruise about 50% of the time, and when not cruising she is in a storage yard not far from our house at a fraction of the cost of a slip.

BUT, getting out there is THE object of the game!! ANY BOAT!!!

Have fun and enjoy the boat! That fireplace function of the solid heater is wonderful on a cold night, tucked away some place safe, with a warm drink in hand...... Some great memories come to my mind.

As we say on our web page;
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]Cruising should be entirely for pleasure, and when it ceases to be so it no longer makes sense. Of course those who want to beat out what little brains they have in a night thrash to windward should have a strong, stiff racing machine, a very expensive contraption, one which has sacrificed the best qualities of a cruiser. But the little yacht that can snuggle alongside of some river bank for the night and let its crew have their supper in peace while listening to the night calls of the whippoorwills will keep its crew much more contented. They will be particularly happy and contented when the evening rain patters on the deck and the coal-burning stove becomes the center of attraction. Then if you can lie back in a comfortable place to read, or spend the evening in pleasant contemplation of the next day's run, well, then you can say "This is really cruising." [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]L Francis Herreshoff[/FONT]

Greg

 

[Les]

Everyone seems to be writing about bulkhead heaters and I have used them in some of my older boats. The Force 10 was a favorite of mine. But my last five boats have had Webasto Furnaces, one water based and the others all air based. My present H27 has a Webasto forced air furnace which I turned on yesterday in 30 degree weather here in the northwest and I had the boat warmed up in twenty minutes. Very comfortable.

It uses very little fuel and battery. I have three openings, one in the back cabin, one in the head and one in the main cabin. You can buy a kit and DIY or have a Webasto dealer install it which is what I did. I also installed a muffler although I'm told the newer ones do not need this item. I just didn't want to annoy my dock neighbors. But most of my boat neighbors like coming down into my warm cozy cabin and having a cup of coffee.

It may be expensive however notice (at least here in the northwest) how many boats for sail mention having a Webasto furnace. They are really a delight to have.