It is cold this time of the year in high mountain lakes, especially in the morning after a night aboard. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to SAFELY heat the cabin (no shore power available)? Thoughts? Musings?
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Jeff
One Idea
Brian, at night I'd suggest a double sleeping bag and some female companionship. For those brisk mornings use the stove. Seems to me there was a posting on this site some time ago about using an inverted clay pot on an alcohol stove. The pot gets hot and radiates the heat to some extent. Can't say I've tried that but the cabin does warm up for me quite a bit just making coffee and breakfast in the morning. Jeff s/v "Festivity" 1996 H26
Brian, at night I'd suggest a double sleeping bag and some female companionship. For those brisk mornings use the stove. Seems to me there was a posting on this site some time ago about using an inverted clay pot on an alcohol stove. The pot gets hot and radiates the heat to some extent. Can't say I've tried that but the cabin does warm up for me quite a bit just making coffee and breakfast in the morning. Jeff s/v "Festivity" 1996 H26
Propane or Origo Heater
Jeff: As long as you have some decent ventilation you can use an Origo alcohol or one the Propane heaters. You just want to be sure that the boat is not sealed up when you do this. The two thing you need to worry about are carbon monoxide and lack of oxygen.
Jeff: As long as you have some decent ventilation you can use an Origo alcohol or one the Propane heaters. You just want to be sure that the boat is not sealed up when you do this. The two thing you need to worry about are carbon monoxide and lack of oxygen.
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Bob
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Jack
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Ray Bowles
Brian, We use a large flat rock about 5"dia. by
1 1/2" thick over one of the burners on our Origo stove. Clay pots break, rocks don't. It heats the cabin of our H26 very nicely. Beware of rocks that are cracked and could have water inside as they blow up. A nice river turned rock is best. Wow, look at what we've been reduced to. Rock peddlers, thank God we can say "we're picky rock peddlers". I guess that makes it a better occupation. Ray S/V Speedy
1 1/2" thick over one of the burners on our Origo stove. Clay pots break, rocks don't. It heats the cabin of our H26 very nicely. Beware of rocks that are cracked and could have water inside as they blow up. A nice river turned rock is best. Wow, look at what we've been reduced to. Rock peddlers, thank God we can say "we're picky rock peddlers". I guess that makes it a better occupation. Ray S/V Speedy
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Mike Pajewski
Carbon Monoxide Hazards
We have used the clay pot technique, as well as a Coleman lantern, and our Weems & Plath miners lamp as they both throw lots of heat. The hazard is to ensure you leave the hatch cracked open or carbon monoxide fumes can build up. I had a coworker who lost both his parents when they died of CO poisoning on their boat. One option you might consider is the Origo Heat Pal. It is a portable heater that uses alchohol like the Origo stove. It has a heat shield and tip over protection. If you are in a marina, consider an electric heater. Mike Pajewski H-26 "Loon"
We have used the clay pot technique, as well as a Coleman lantern, and our Weems & Plath miners lamp as they both throw lots of heat. The hazard is to ensure you leave the hatch cracked open or carbon monoxide fumes can build up. I had a coworker who lost both his parents when they died of CO poisoning on their boat. One option you might consider is the Origo Heat Pal. It is a portable heater that uses alchohol like the Origo stove. It has a heat shield and tip over protection. If you are in a marina, consider an electric heater. Mike Pajewski H-26 "Loon"
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
CO isn't the only issue in a small enclosed space
In fact, unless you have more than one hatch open to create a "draw," the CO can still build up. All flame consumes oxygen, even if the fuel source is one that has very low CO emission. Combine the oxygen consumption by the flame with the oxygen consumed by two people who are replacing it with CO2...and it doesn't take long in a closed cabin on a small boat for the oxygen to become so depleted that both the flame and the people die. I wouldn't use any heater without cracking at least one hatch...two is better. And I wouldn't sleep with it on...even on electric heaters, "failsafes" can fail. Better to warm the cabin before you turn in, then turn it off overnight and negotiate who has to get up and turn it on again in the morning.
In fact, unless you have more than one hatch open to create a "draw," the CO can still build up. All flame consumes oxygen, even if the fuel source is one that has very low CO emission. Combine the oxygen consumption by the flame with the oxygen consumed by two people who are replacing it with CO2...and it doesn't take long in a closed cabin on a small boat for the oxygen to become so depleted that both the flame and the people die. I wouldn't use any heater without cracking at least one hatch...two is better. And I wouldn't sleep with it on...even on electric heaters, "failsafes" can fail. Better to warm the cabin before you turn in, then turn it off overnight and negotiate who has to get up and turn it on again in the morning.
heat
I have seen in magazines and catalogues, a heater that has the part the actually is involved in the combustion process outside and it has a flex hose that is supposed to vent tthe heat into whatever it is you are trying to heat, it is made for tents I believe, it seems to me that this might be a moderately safe option , have not used it just have seen it advertised, good luck , we just use sleeping bags and body heat, Mike Bacome
I have seen in magazines and catalogues, a heater that has the part the actually is involved in the combustion process outside and it has a flex hose that is supposed to vent tthe heat into whatever it is you are trying to heat, it is made for tents I believe, it seems to me that this might be a moderately safe option , have not used it just have seen it advertised, good luck , we just use sleeping bags and body heat, Mike Bacome
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Bill Krause
Get a Carbonmomoxide warning device
No matter what you do get one. Besides warning you about the possible problem while heating your boat it will also protect you if you are next to a boat with its motor running with its fumes killing you while you sleep.
No matter what you do get one. Besides warning you about the possible problem while heating your boat it will also protect you if you are next to a boat with its motor running with its fumes killing you while you sleep.
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