Colby,
I hear a lot of my same thoughts echoed in your last post. My boat came with the Wallas 95 - the classic two-burner heater/stove. Many love this, but I knew it would not be my style. I wanted a stove I could just fire right up, and a heater that was just a heater. Wouldn't hurt if one or more of them was simpler, either.
I have gone with a butane stove for now. The function is great, but ultimately I'd prefer a "real" propane stove (I'm more comfortable with a real/installed propane system, than with the quality control of a butane cartridge). For now I just keep the butane cartridges in the port lazarette when the stove is not in use (drains overboard).
The heater is the more complicated decision. I strongly considered the Wallas 1300 and it is still on my list. I don't think they can be changed much (e.g. thermostat), and they cannot be ducted beyond one short hose. They are also maybe not large enough for regular use in freezing temps. OTOH, they are simple, compact, and "cheap" (as Wallases go). I have talked to (or read posts of) a few Brats who have them and really like them (Aurelia, Life of Riley, Dora~Jean). They say if they get too hot, they crack a window or the door.
From my research, the Wallas "purely a heater" models are a bit less persnickety than the combo heater/cookers (makes sense, since the latter are doing two jobs not one).
The slightly larger Wallas 1800 I believe does have a thermostat, and can also have ducts; it's a bit larger, but not a huge amount. I am not sure if it would fit neatly under the galley as the 1300 does. I had measured and calculated at one point, but now I can't remember what I came up with. I ruled out the diesel heaters they have as they are larger/more expensive and with a gas engine, there is not the motivation to stick with "just one fuel" as there would be with a diesel engine/diesel heater.
I thought about something like an Espar, but I don't really like the way they sound (loud) from other boats in an anchorage. I didn't go into that much further though.
I also considered the propane P9000 fireplace. Looks-wise its a winner, and there is no chance of diesel or kerosene smell, obviously. If I have a propane system already (if I put one in for a cooker) then that's already there. OTOH, there isn't a great place to put it. On the counter, the chimney is a bit short of spec (although apparently it works fine), it takes up counter space, and the heat is already halfway to the overhead. I've seen one built in under the galley sink, but that sacrificed that whole side of stowage (plus chimney coming up through counter also).
I thought about a Wave 3 catalytic heater. I have used one in an RV. They are simple to "install," inexpensive, and easy to stow away when not in heating season. The required ventilation can be provided by cracking windows. Still, they are un-vented, and even with cracked windows, who needs more moisture in a C-Dory cabin? They are meant to run from regulated propane, so that's still a propane system.
Another potential negative to any propane fired heater, is that if you go on a long trip (say Inside Passage), there is no way to "stockpile" fuel. You can't suddenly make three times as much propane fit in your propane locker; whereas you *can* load in extra gallons of Kleen Heet or kerosene, etc. This may or may not matter to you.
As with the stove, I decided to take a "temporary" approach while I assessed my options and use of the boat. To that end, started with a "Little Buddy" heater, which runs from the one-pound disposable green propane tanks. Of course NOT used while underway, and carefully watched even at anchor. I used it for an hour or so morning or evening in calm anchorages, but never overnight. It's got an upright form factor (hence can be tippy), so I then switched to a Coleman BlackCat (previous model with a metal triangle frame has a tidier form factor than the current plastic one), which is a similar heater, but designed to sit down more horizontally and hence is more stable (still don't use underway or at night). I keep those cylinders in the vented port lazarette also (including the in-use one when not using heater).
I guess there is no perfect solution, and the P9000 flames would be very nice to look at, but if I had to choose tomorrow, I'd probably go for the Wallas 1300 or 1800. But I may change my mind
