Heater suggestions needed, East Coast/PNW boat

One note on the Dickinson Newport diesel is that it specifies a minimum of 4' of chimney. I noticed this because I was eyeing up the Sigmar 100 (similar small diesel bulkhead heater - I've used a larger Sigmar in the past on a sailboat and liked it) and noticed the same requirement. I can't see any practical way to get that much chimney with the stove in the "usual" counter-top location. At least, not without quite a bit of chimney pipe above the boat, which seems undesirable.

I did see that the propane P9000 only requires (IIRC) 28" of chimney, and I imagine the diesel/kerosene heaters with the really small chimney pipe (cozy cabin, maybe Taylors) may require less as well (although I have not looked them up).

I did see one stove installation in a C-Dory album (I forget which boat, but it was one of the 22's with the wood-grain cabinetry) wherein they had "given up" the cabinet under the sink and put the heater there (albeit it was the P9000 with its insulated chimney pipe; would probably be trickier with a "hot" pipe).
 
I called the manufacturer and they stated these can have blow back, they are really designed for sailing boats. The specifically mentioned above 12 knots and they can be problematic. So we'll gladly go with the Espar or Webasto. Currently looking at ebay and getting ready to either buy new - hoping that it will give me years of great service or used and take a shot in the dark.... :crook
 
After researching all of the discussions, I ordered the Dickinson Newport P900 propane unit this weekend from sure marine. Initially I plan to use it with only the 1lb bottles, mounted in the lazerette, which will drain overboard. I appreciate all of the information provided by everyone.
 
kennharriet":3ibajtck said:
After researching all of the discussions, I ordered the Dickinson Newport P900 propane unit this weekend from sure marine.
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If you get a chance, would you mind posting back with your impressions of it after you have had a chance to use it? I've been wanting to see one in operation, especially to find out how quiet/loud it is (use of the fan is optional, according to the manual, but I'm not sure how quiet or loud the burner itself may be). It looks like a neat option for the C-Dory.

kennharriet":3ibajtck said:
Initially I plan to use it with only the 1lb bottles, mounted in the lazerette, which will drain overboard.
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Reading that, I wonder if the 1 lb. cylinders meet ABYC guidelines (if you are interested in complying with them - they are guidelines not laws). They may be fine, and I may be off - but it raised a "hmm" in my mind when I read it so I figured I would mention it.

Here is a link to ABYC A-1 (propane standards) if you want to have a look:

http://www.abycinc.org/committees/A-01.pdf

A-1.7 covers cylinders and their regulators, etc.

The lazarette does seem like a good option for an above the waterline, overboard-draining propane locker.
 
Other than safety the biggest factor from my perspective would be installing a system to ABYC standards so that your insurance company, should you have a problem, doesn't decide they don't need to pay up. That's a big deal in a court of law. With regard to systems you're generally guilty until proven innocent. It's up to you (usually) to prove the systems were installed to code and that your actions (or lack of installation expertise) did not lead to the loss.

Les
 
Appreciate the link and comments on the ABYC requirements. The Newport installation manuel conforms to the requirements as best I can tell.

It does make me wonder about other LPG appliances though. A typical propane BBQ or Mr Buddy heater, etc would also have to meet the ABYC requirments wouldn't they? I do not think they would unless using a remote bottle located in an appropriate locker. Does that mean your insurance is void if you had a problem?

Reference:
1.2 SCOPE
These standards and recommended practices apply to
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems used for cooking,
heating, and refrigeration on all boats up to the point of
interface with the appliance. These standards and
recommended practices do not apply to liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG) systems used for internal combustion engines on
boats.
 
Les Lampman":301qbwdw said:
Other than safety the biggest factor from my perspective would be installing a system to ABYC standards so that your insurance company, should you have a problem, doesn't decide they don't need to pay up.
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Good point, and reading it made me want to clarify something I said: When I said "if you are interested in complying with them - they are guidelines not laws," it wasn't because I think they are a bad idea, or that they should be circumvented "because they are not laws." On the contrary, I find ABYC guidelines to be well thought out, for the most part, and worthy of following (heck, in way they're like a "free guide" to best practices). I guess I'm used to a bit of "push back" from people who may think ABYC guidelines are overkill or infringe on one's freedoms, so I was soft-pedaling it a bit. Also, I'm relatively new here, and didn't want to come off like I was barging in and telling people how to do things.
 
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