However, one night while I was on board, I was awoken by a very acrid odor and found the cabin filled with dense smoke. The electric power cord to the heater was not hot and no circuit breaker had been triggered. Of the group, only Wallas and Ardic manufacture heaters designed specifically for the marine industry. An open flame is not particularly effective and creates a fire hazard. A near twin, the model 10004 is fueled by diesel or kerosene, with the same Btu rating. Beyond the output of the heating system, a primary consideration is the capacity to carry fuel for the duration of a voyage, and the availability of fuel in destination ports. Cost ranges from almost nothing to the limits of your credit card, notwithstanding the recapture of part of the initial cost when the boat is sold. The company’s propane-fueled P12000 heater produces 5,500 Btus per hour on high, 4,000 Btus per hour on low, and will run for 5.5 hours and 3.9 hours, respectively, on one pound of propane. Forced Air and Water SystemsIn operation, these bear a striking resemblance to the units used in houses. In addition to Btu, a key measurement is the rate at which water flows through the boat, called “water throughput,” which is measured in gallons per hour. 99 a fireplace) and fans to move the air into the far reaches of the boat. Xtreme Heaters Bilge Heater Quick Release Bracket for Medium/Large 450W-600W Easy Access Boat Engine Compartment Heater, RV Bay Heater, Boat Heater Accessory 4.9 out of 5 stars 18 $32.99 $ 32 . However, an excess of fuel produces smoke, ruins the wick, and creates a housekeeping chore. Origo, 941/355-4488; www.origo-sweden.com. Again, for many who spend an occasional day or night aboard in chilly weather, simple oil lamps, bolstered by a good fleece pullover and warm shoes, will often suffice. Caframo, 800/223-7266; www.caframo.com. When your cold-weather travels extend beyond the marina, however, so do the requirements for a different system. Only certain types of solar hot water heaters are ever installed in cold regions, so much of the preparation is a given. Caframo Marine DeltaMax Ceramic Heater The Warm: It has high- and low-power settings (750 and 1,500 watts) and a built-in adjustable thermostat. Lows were in the mid 20's. Determining what type of heater is best for you involves considering the characteristics of fuels (see accompanying table), the hardware options to run it; where the hardware will be on board; how to strike a balance between insulation and ventilation; your own tolerance of (if not liking for) cold temperatures; and the weather in which you plan to be afloat. You are about to find out why boat and RV owners and professional truck drivers all over the world love these devices. Since both companies are bastions of the industry, and their current products the result of an evolutionary process, choosing between the two may be a function of evaluating the space in which the unit will be installed, cost per Btu, and appearance. Your feet are cold. There are plenty of ways to extend the season and keep a cosy cabin, ranging from simple to complex. Before choosing and buying a heater to use in your RV, I strongly recommend reading my article titled “Is It Safe to Use a Space Heater in an RV?”. A popular choice is the Xtreme Heater XHEAT 300W 110V Bilge Engine Compartment Heater. Since kerosene produces four gallons of water vapor per gallon of fuel, not an insignificant amount, lamps require good venting, and quite a bit of heat goes out the window, literally. In order to get truly adjustable comfort, or to equip a boat to stand up against serious elements, a fixed system will be required. It requires a pressurized fuel source (like a bicycle pump) and must be preheated with alcohol before use-both inconveniences. Health Issues and BackgroundThere are two related dangers in heating a boat with any kind of fossil-based fuel. The newest Caframo units have separate switches that control temperature and fan speed, though designating heat output is measured on a scale of 1-4, rather than by a thermostat. When winterizing your boat's potable water system, it's always best to bypass the water heater. Seaworthy, the damage-avoidance newsletter, is brought to you by the BoatUS Marine Insurance Program. Lots of people leave their boats in the water during the winter months but there are some precautions that need to be taken, especially if you are not going to be visiting the boat on a weekly basis. We last covered this topic in the September 1997 issue. I want to share my experience with a thermostat controlled oil filled radiant electric heater. A definite correlation exists between the degree to which we are warm and dry, and the enjoyment of a sail, or a night at anchor. var plc296584 = window.plc296584 || 0; Tseipoaoi Diesel Heater 12V 5KW Parking Heaters with LCD Monitor,Remote Control & 10L Tank,Night Heater for Trucks,Boat,Touring Car,Bus 4.3 out of 5 stars 353 £148.99 £ 148 . A boat engine heater from BoatSafe also helps you significantly reduce your winterizing costs. Add the cost of piping, ducting, heat exchangers, wiring, Mr. Noble, and the like. Picking the right unit involves a critical evaluation of the boat’s power system to compare the amount of additional electricity necessary to operate a heater’s fuel pump and blower to existing demands for energy. It is also a must for anyone eyeing northern cruising grounds. The market is dominated by Espar, Webasto, Ardic, and Wallas-European companies represented by American distributors. So, proper ventilation of living spaces aboard a heated boat, no matter what type of system is used, no matter whether it’s vented outboard or via portholes and companionway, is absolutely vital. In addition to producing clean heat, these systems generally offer two additional advantages: hot water from the heater can be plumbed into the heat exchanger of an existing hot water heater, thus also producing hot water for galley and head. Fuel TypesSmall electric heaters are handy for taking the chill off a boat in the morning, evaporating dew that may accumulate on the overhead when bodies sleep below, or on a chilly evening. With the right tools, quality materials, and a modest amount of preventative maintenance, you can ensure a flicker-free (or nearly so) existence on the water. But many people wouldn’t have been comfortable in that cabin. This, too, … Judging by the smoke and the odor, I think it was very near the point of combustion and quite likely would have started the boat on fire, or at the very least could have resulted in my death by asphyxiation, had I not awoken in time. Xtreme Heaters Bilge Heater Quick Release Bracket for Small 300W Easy Access Boat Engine Compartment Heater, RV Bay Heater, Boat Heater Accessory 5.0 out of … Like a lot of other people, the owner probably didn't think about the fact that power outages most often occur right when you need electricity most — when the worst winter weather hits. This, however, can be expensive. Winter is an ideal time to have a boat heater installed. This 27-foot Rinker was "winterized" by placing a space heater in the engine room. When the batteries are protected, you can rest assured that your boat is ready to perform. In the morning I found that a small area of the metal jacket had rusted through, allowing ambient air to mix with the oil where the heat electrode makes contact with the passive circulation of the oil. The D2 weighs only 6 pounds; the DS 9.9 pounds. A solid-fuel unit retails for $344. Boxes, Dry Bags, and Tips for a Drier Life, Fighting Off Marine Electrical System Corrosion, Click here to view “Fuel Characteristics.”, Click here to view “What Installers Say About Heating Systems.”, Click here to view “Specifications: Selected Heaters.”. We have a Dr. Infr… These units are most common in the gallies of small powerboats. Suggested retail is typically $60-70. My thoughts on how this happened is that in a cool humid salty air environment, each time the thermostat prompts the unit to turn off, the salty humidity in the ambient air begins to cool, allowing salt water vapor to condense onto the metal surface of the heater until the thermostat turns the heater back on. If you're tempted to leave your boat with a heater running this winter rather than winterizing, consider these examples: The owner of a 24-foot Bayliner in Portland, Oregon never got around to winterizing his twin gas engines and instead put a heater in the engine compartment. The models heretofore most commonly found on sailboats, the D1LC compact air heater and D3LC, have been replaced by the Airtronic D2 Air Heater, which produces 2,000 Btu to 7,500 Btu in “boost” mode, and the Airtronic D4, which doubles the Btu output. If don’t have this option perhaps you should consider shrink-wrapping your boat. Your hands are warm. Your head and torso are hot. The boat, which was afloat in her slip in Alabama, caught fire when the extension cord used to power the heater shorted where it had old damage. Winterize your boat, even if you live in an area that seems safe from hard freezes. Numerous freeze claims over the years have proven that point again and again. The Hydronic D4, for example, which may be powered by diesel or kerosene, produces 13,700 Btu in boost mode, and circulates 132 gallons per hour. The effectiveness of the systems is determined by the power of the heater, and distance to vents. You lean outboard and put your feet up. Therm-Tech, 616/530-6540; www.therm-tech.com. Turn on the fan and the range increases from 5,500 to 7,500 Btu. © Belvoir Media Group, LLC. The head is cold. Installing a boat heater. This sleek little … Small Electric HeatersThere are dozens of these on the market, so we’ll just mention a few. Dickinsons Newport P9000, the most traditional model, is fueled by diesel or kerosene and produces 3,100 -4300 Btu. Sitting beneath a drippy port or headliner, or curling up in a damp bunk, just isn’t fun. Having some version of boat wrapping is a very good idea for cold weather boat lovers, whether your boat is in the water or not. So here’s the updated overview. Force 10 and Dickinson Marine share the majority of the market here. Some models are equipped with an electric spark ignition and automatic gas flow shut-off to prevent the flow of fuel if the flame is extinguished; some are available with thermostats, others with a forced-air blower. When the project is completed, the technician should examine the system before first use. The water temperature is 46 F. You’re sitting in the main cabin right next to your main heat source (a wood stove, an electric radiator, whatever). An advantage is that all of the components, excepting external plumbing, are essentially self-contained, and have 2 to 4 cycle levels to maintain a constant water temperature. Thus, choices become diesel, kerosene, propane (LPG), natural gas (CNG), wood, coal, pellet fuel, alcohol, or charcoal. The D2 … The Wallas Ardic 952-DW produces 16,000 Btu in passive mode, which doubles when the engine is running. Other boats have been lost when the heater itself has caught fire, when the heater has ignited something combustible inside the boat, or when the heater has been tipped over by a large wake that rocked the boat. We found the Holmes One-Touch ($99 on sale) at a hardware store. They may be fueled by wood, coal, charcoal, or pellet fuel, but the downside is that they don’t fuel themselves. For improved safety I now use an electric dehumidifier, setting the humidistat to turn on at aprox 40% relative humidity. Even if you’re capable of installing the heater, we recommend hiring an expert who will help evaluate your boat’s requirements, develop an installation plan, and provide a list of required tools. Despite its wide base, we’d be reluctant to use it underway. You have entered an incorrect email address! Honeywell oil-filled RV heater [Electric] Type: Electric. Besides the three materials it’s made from, we also like that it has multiple versions to suit any installation needs. Paul E. Luke, 207/633-4971; www.peluke.com. Thanks for the good tips! Generally, towing a barge loaded with crude oil is not a viable option. $170.50. The boat's electrical system is often the most vexing for boat owners-but it doesn't have to be. However, while sitting in direct sunlight on a cold or damp deck, your nose may be toasty while moss grows on your posterior. A second measurement is fuel consumption, compared to alternative heating methods. This will be my first winter dry camping in my 5th wheel. The Air Top Series is designed for use in boats 28 feet and larger, and produces 2,000-18,000 Btu. (Heat produced by the energy of the human body is measured in calories.) Do Install Permanent Water Heater Bypass. Boats, people, and locales all differ far too much, and what’s comfortable enough for one person will be misery for another. 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