removehtml]I recently purchased a Webasto AirTop 3500 desiel heater for my Beneteau 323 and need to make the decision to either bring it to the boat yard or install myself. I have long-term & long-range cruising plans in 3-5 years and we purchased this boat to help prep for this adventure (sailing skills, maintenance, determine how well we like cruising, etc) before buying a blue water boat. Has anyone tackled a similiar project on a 323, 311, or similar? Would love to get some photos and/or advice before I go crazy with the drill!Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
Webasto Heater Install
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Richard D. Bantsari
Webesto 3500 Forced Air Furnace Install
I installed the Webasto 3500 Air Top Model on my previous boat (a Catalina 34) and I would never buy another of these heaters. While it did a great job of heating the boat, the unit was very noisy. It sounded like Sea-tac(jet noise) on the outside and like being inside a bass drum on the inside with someone pounding on the drum. Shure Marine will tell you to get a day-tank and burn only keresene and not to use any fuel additives because the filter or the burner plugs up. The electrical system can most easily mal-function.I also did not like the amount of time this unit turned on and then off. Eachtime this startup cycle took additional battery drain. When we bought our new boat( Beneteau 373) I installed a Walles Furnace and it was much easier to install, runs much more quietly and uses much less amps. Through two years it has run trouble free. In regards to installation. the biggest concerns will be where to mount the heater, Where to run the almost 4 inch hose to the outlets and (get a hose saw kit) and where to carefully run the exhaust lines and air inlets. In summation, I would have another look at a Walles before preceeding with the Webesto.
I installed the Webasto 3500 Air Top Model on my previous boat (a Catalina 34) and I would never buy another of these heaters. While it did a great job of heating the boat, the unit was very noisy. It sounded like Sea-tac(jet noise) on the outside and like being inside a bass drum on the inside with someone pounding on the drum. Shure Marine will tell you to get a day-tank and burn only keresene and not to use any fuel additives because the filter or the burner plugs up. The electrical system can most easily mal-function.I also did not like the amount of time this unit turned on and then off. Eachtime this startup cycle took additional battery drain. When we bought our new boat( Beneteau 373) I installed a Walles Furnace and it was much easier to install, runs much more quietly and uses much less amps. Through two years it has run trouble free. In regards to installation. the biggest concerns will be where to mount the heater, Where to run the almost 4 inch hose to the outlets and (get a hose saw kit) and where to carefully run the exhaust lines and air inlets. In summation, I would have another look at a Walles before preceeding with the Webesto.
Thanks for the feedback Richard
Unfortunately I discovered the Wallas products after I had already purchased the AT3500. The AT3500 was recommended by the broker and I just happened to find someone selling a brand new one for half price (craigslist posting in detroit - I was half expecting that it would not arrive or not be as advertised, but everything seems in order - I will be bringing it to Sure Marine next week for a checkup before installing to ensure everything is in order). I read on the webasto tech site that you can install a 'muffler' - i will do some more research on this prior to finalizing the installation design.
Unfortunately I discovered the Wallas products after I had already purchased the AT3500. The AT3500 was recommended by the broker and I just happened to find someone selling a brand new one for half price (craigslist posting in detroit - I was half expecting that it would not arrive or not be as advertised, but everything seems in order - I will be bringing it to Sure Marine next week for a checkup before installing to ensure everything is in order). I read on the webasto tech site that you can install a 'muffler' - i will do some more research on this prior to finalizing the installation design.
I got one last summer
I had a webasto 3500 installed in my Beneteau 323 last summer. It works like a dream and we just love it!. We don't find it noisy at all. You can hear the fuel pump when you sleep in the aft bedroom but I don't find it too bad. I guess it depends where you mount it. We have four outlets, all adjustables. I do recommend to have it installed by a professionnel. A lot of things can go wrong and I think that's why you also hear a lot of negative feedback. So far it's very fuel efficient. Same for electricity consumption. Now we can launch the boat early next season. It's great with two babies on board. Good luck J-P
I had a webasto 3500 installed in my Beneteau 323 last summer. It works like a dream and we just love it!. We don't find it noisy at all. You can hear the fuel pump when you sleep in the aft bedroom but I don't find it too bad. I guess it depends where you mount it. We have four outlets, all adjustables. I do recommend to have it installed by a professionnel. A lot of things can go wrong and I think that's why you also hear a lot of negative feedback. So far it's very fuel efficient. Same for electricity consumption. Now we can launch the boat early next season. It's great with two babies on board. Good luck J-P
Install photos?
J-P - any chance you can provide some digital photos of the install? I am mainly interested in seeing how/where it is mounted in the locker and where they placed the thru hulls - if you don't have photos could you describe/answer those questions? Did they install it with a separate fuel tank or tap into the existing tank? thanks! Glad to hear it is working well for you.
J-P - any chance you can provide some digital photos of the install? I am mainly interested in seeing how/where it is mounted in the locker and where they placed the thru hulls - if you don't have photos could you describe/answer those questions? Did they install it with a separate fuel tank or tap into the existing tank? thanks! Glad to hear it is working well for you.
Sorry I don't have any pictures yet.
Everything is mounted in the cockpit locker against the hull (heater,exhaust pipe, fuel line, fuel pump). The exhaust thru hull is close to the engine exhaust thru hull but higher of course (you need minimum 20" from waterline). The combustion air intake is in the locker. The cool air inlet (4") is outside on the transom (fresh-air mode, lower humidity). You can choose to have the cool air inlet inside (recirculating mode)for faster heating but I don't recommend it. I had no problem heating the boat when it was +3 degre celsius outside. I prefer to have fresh air coming in and get rid of humidity faster. No need for a separate fuel tank. Just tap in it. I have three 2" air outlets (aft bedroom, head, forward bedroom)and one 4" outlet below the map table. If you're in no rush I'll try to take pictures next time I go. Good luck J-P
Everything is mounted in the cockpit locker against the hull (heater,exhaust pipe, fuel line, fuel pump). The exhaust thru hull is close to the engine exhaust thru hull but higher of course (you need minimum 20" from waterline). The combustion air intake is in the locker. The cool air inlet (4") is outside on the transom (fresh-air mode, lower humidity). You can choose to have the cool air inlet inside (recirculating mode)for faster heating but I don't recommend it. I had no problem heating the boat when it was +3 degre celsius outside. I prefer to have fresh air coming in and get rid of humidity faster. No need for a separate fuel tank. Just tap in it. I have three 2" air outlets (aft bedroom, head, forward bedroom)and one 4" outlet below the map table. If you're in no rush I'll try to take pictures next time I go. Good luck J-P
Thanks J-P
J-P - Great feedback, thank you! I now have the heater mounted and plumbed. I installed it against the hull in the cockpit locker - sounds very similar to your setup. I am just now getting to the final ducting work in the cabin. I am also happy to hear that you did a 4" outlet under the nav table - I have been struggling to determine how to pass the ducting from the nav station area to the setee - does not seem possible without exposing some ducting. I will install like yours under the nav table. Are you getting plenty of air flow with the 4 outlets? I was planning 3, but it would be nice to add a 4th in the head. Are all of the 2" vents closable?
J-P - Great feedback, thank you! I now have the heater mounted and plumbed. I installed it against the hull in the cockpit locker - sounds very similar to your setup. I am just now getting to the final ducting work in the cabin. I am also happy to hear that you did a 4" outlet under the nav table - I have been struggling to determine how to pass the ducting from the nav station area to the setee - does not seem possible without exposing some ducting. I will install like yours under the nav table. Are you getting plenty of air flow with the 4 outlets? I was planning 3, but it would be nice to add a 4th in the head. Are all of the 2" vents closable?
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