Boat heaters

Brooks Cooper · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:41 am Post subject: Boat heaters

Just a question. Has anyone installed or is familiar with the Airtronic diesel heater? I'm thinking of putting one on Coop's Cruiser since my recently repaired wallas P.O.S. stove took another dump. I refuse to keep having it repaired again and again and again etc. For the cost of repairing it I can put in this heater.

Grumpy · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:07 am Post subject:

Fireguy,

You might try Barry (Colobear) on C-Cakes. I belive he is very satisfied with his.

We had "issues" with the Wallas stovetop on our CD22 until we had it completely re-built by Scan Marine but even then it was not a perfect heater and not a perfect cooktop although it is a very compact solution for a small boat.

On our RF246 we went with the Wallas D30 which is very similar to the Espar unit you are considering and I have been working outside on the boat during our PNW "deep freeze" (all things are relative) with it running at about 50% or less. So far (12 months) this unit has been 100% reliable, probably because it is much closer to Wallas's basic product expertise.

If you fit suitable ducting, the forced air units get over the problem of cold spots in the berth or cabin without needing additional fans.

Merv

colobear · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

I have a Webasto heater, installed by Les Lampman, and am quite satisfied. Not a single hiccup in performance entering its fourth year of service; it is thermostatically controlled with ducted air.

However, two aspects may give some people pause. First, it is (I think) a drip system and when the diesel/kerosene/kleen-heat is "dripped" or injected there is a regular ticking noise, not loud but apparent, about like a clock ticking. Second Since it is forced air it has a blower and the blower can be noisy; again, not too loud but noticeable. Having said that, I would install it again. it is reliable with different fuels, trouble-free, and effective.

Grumpy · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:41 am Post subject:

Sorry Barry, my mispeak, I forgot yours was a Webasto. Must be the fog!
Still that raises two more options for Fireguy to consider.

Getting cabin fever. May break out and go if the sun shines as predicted.

Merv

SEA3PO · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:09 pm Post subject:

In my workshop I have a Toyotomi heater.....and I see that they have one for boats... and it is less expensive... mine does a great job...

On the Intercoastal.... up a bayou we met Ed Thieme aboard Rambler....he lives on his 25 cruiser for a year...then a year in Colorado...what the life... He had a Dickerson heater running...neat... mounted it to the wall of the bathroom.... it had the cabin toasty.... and the neat part was looking at the fire... we had coffee and he gave us a book he had just finished reading.....we spent a hour visiting then on down the Intercoastal we went....

Joel
SEA3PO

seabeagle · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject:

We've put a small radiant propane model in our 16 that works great but, I've dreamed of tapping into the hot water that comes from the pee-hole on my Honda 50 and piping it to a heater core with fan inside.

dotnmarty · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject:

Another propane you might consider is a Mr. Buddy Heater. Just remember to crack a window. It does fine on our 16 footer and costs around $75.

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject:

I promised that I wouldn't do it but I have to. I would say that in any situation that you have a propane heater inside a boat where it is not vented to the outside world, one needs to buy the 1500 dollar option that doesn't come with them: Radar as your windows are going to be so dang foggy you aren't going to be able to see where you are going......But, hey I have used one too. No sweat.....it is on the glass......

seabeagle · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject:

I first looked at the Buddy heater but was afraid that it would tip over and didn't see a secure way to mount it. We got the Mr. Heater for $25.00 on sale and I adapted it to my grill mount. It can also function as a stove. I got my idea from something similar that oldgrowth of C-Voyager made (below). And it does get good ventilation when we are under way. A window cracked open and the gaps around the camperback. We also got a Garmin radar as well.

thataway · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:49 pm Post subject:

My usual warning about using the propane unvented heaters (even catalytic) and CO applies to any of these heaters. Deaths have been reported. You need ventillation and good CO detectors.

Capital Sea · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject:

Yup, that CO falls to the floor like invisible water and fills up the boat till it spills over the lowest side wall. On my 22 this is several inches above the bed, though the boat does have a CO detector.

Tortuga · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:06 am Post subject:

Capital Sea · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject:

Just to be clear, I see my job as being the guy who puts out bad information with the intent that we all pass the final together.
Sheeesh! I was given that load of bull when I purchased my camp trailer.

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject:

You're not the only one with that information Capital Sea- as a number of people questioned the location of the CO detectors on the new C-Dorys (Dories?) at the Seattle Boat Show, and I too though CO settled at the bottom of the boat.

Now I know!

Overload · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

Fireguy,

Following the lead of Barry on C-Cakes, I asked Les to install a Webasto on my boat during fitting as well. But since I had the new moulded interior it would not fit as well, so he made a change. I have a Wallas 30D Heater with ducted air. Yes, I know you are probably fed up with Wallace, but I've had no problems with this furnace and it will drive you out of the cabin in short order. It is not thermostatically controlled, but is on/off with three fan speeds so we have to be the thermostat. I am really pleased with the perfrormance...............so far.

My $.02 worth and Good Luck!

Doug DeVore
Lil' Brother