Cabin Heaters

KairosKona · 19-10-2009, 09:30

Starting to cool down now and I am looking for info/opinions on Cabin Heaters.

Force 10 Cozy Cabin Heater VS Dickenson VS Sigmar

Any thoughts?

My boat choices:

Bristol Channel Cutter 28
Mason 33
Cape George 31/36

David

Cheechako · 19-10-2009, 09:39

Nice boats! I would avoid diesel heaters unless they are the forced air type (wallas, webasto etc) The force 10 is going to provide very minimal heat. I had one in a 30 footer. I am not sure which Dickenson or sigmar ones you allude to.... I tried a little Japanese Toyoset forced air type on my 44 footer. Ran it off a little kerosene tank. It's a freestanding little unit that just requires a small stack. Put out a lot of heat and burned almost nothing. I had trouble with it when it was brand new, the rep came out and replaced the "burn mat" and then it was great! Kind of a step up from the Force 10 type but simpler and less $ than the forced air Espar, Wallas etc..... not sure if they still sell them or not. If you can afford it a little Webasto is great. You dont have to install it with a bunch of ducting, one out let would be fine.

Solitude · 19-10-2009, 09:42

I would go propane rather than Diesel. Don't use biocide with a Diesel heter. I have a friend who swears by his force 10 propane heater.

michaelmrc · 19-10-2009, 09:55

i have the dickinson propane fireplace on my catalina 27 it works great good fan to blow the air down and around nice little glass window for ambiance kit comes complete with backing plate chimney stack and chimney cap all i needed to buy was the propane hose and a couple of fittings . would highly recommend this heater.

Cheechako · 19-10-2009, 09:57

If going propane, what Catalytic heaters are available? My father in law has one on his small RV and it's great... no stack, no safety issues etc....radiates a huge amount of heat.

defjef · 19-10-2009, 11:08

The Espar Airtronic 4 can be installed by the boat owner. No rocket science... all plug and play. You need a path to run the various hoses and ducts and it is not cheap. But it has some advantages and is quite neat, quite and doesn't take up real estate or have open flames burning up cabin O2.

It provides even heat, get its combustion air from outside and exhausts to outside and can use your diesel tank so you need not have a separate fuel tank, and locker to worry about, or draw down your cooking tank. It's been maintenance free so far.

Solitude · 19-10-2009, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

If going propane, what Catalytic heaters are available? My father in law has one on his small RV and it's great... no stack, no safety issues etc....radiates a huge amount of heat.

I use a little Coleman catalytic heater. Once and a while. It doesn't burn up too much O2. Makes it toasty. Easy to store. For my weekend or week long trips its fine. If I was full time cruising I might choose something else. Cost about 50$

michaelmrc · 19-10-2009, 11:30

i have one of those little coleman heaters in the canopy of my truck works ok when its cold out to heat up the canopy but not sure it would do much for heat in a 28 ft boat.

Solitude · 19-10-2009, 11:44

They actualy work well and heat mine up nice and toasty. I use mine only when awake in the evening or on a cold morning. I wouldn't sleep with it on.... but I would'nt with any popane appliance.

Like I said I'm not a full time cruiser and use it only for weekends. It does have the advantage of no holes in the cabin top and no mounting. You can buy one for $50 bucks, try it out and return it if you don't like it. I just like to keep things simple onboard.

michaelmrc · 19-10-2009, 11:48

my new dickinson fireplace draws its fresh air in through the dual tube chimney. i sleep with mine on all the time never worry about it. i do have a propane alarm but have never had it go off.

idpnd · 19-10-2009, 12:02

I've used webasto diesel heaters on a number of occasions. The fan draws a bit of electric power, but the cabin does get nice and warm quickly..

michaelmrc · 19-10-2009, 12:04

my neighbour has a webasto heater on his 41fter he loves it. heats the whole boat up nicely. the only drawback besides the original purchase price is the amount of electrical draw.

defjef · 19-10-2009, 13:17

The electric draw on the Airtronic 4 is not too much at all once the glow plug gets the fuel ignited. When it reaches design temp it draw very little.

Cheechako · 19-10-2009, 13:35

Yes, having installed both I would opt for the Webasto over the Espar...

S&S · 19-10-2009, 14:15

We have a Luke (solid fuel). It dries out the boat nicely (there's a cover for use underway- we use briquets or anthracite) Aim a fan at it and you're good.

http://peluke.com/Fireplaces/fireplaces.html

19-10-2009, 09:30	#1
KairosKona Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 38	Cabin Heaters Starting to cool down now and I am looking for info/opinions on Cabin Heaters. Force 10 Cozy Cabin Heater VS Dickenson VS Sigmar Any thoughts? My boat choices: Bristol Channel Cutter 28 Mason 33 Cape George 31/36 David

19-10-2009, 09:42	#3
Solitude Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Coast, BC , Canada Boat: Cascade Posts: 545	I would go propane rather than Diesel. Don't use biocide with a Diesel heter. I have a friend who swears by his force 10 propane heater. __________________ Go outside and PLAY!

19-10-2009, 11:44	#9
Solitude Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Coast, BC , Canada Boat: Cascade Posts: 545	They actualy work well and heat mine up nice and toasty. I use mine only when awake in the evening or on a cold morning. I wouldn't sleep with it on.... but I would'nt with any popane appliance. Like I said I'm not a full time cruiser and use it only for weekends. It does have the advantage of no holes in the cabin top and no mounting. You can buy one for $50 bucks, try it out and return it if you don't like it. I just like to keep things simple onboard. __________________ Go outside and PLAY!

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19-10-2009, 09:39	#2
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,371	Nice boats! I would avoid diesel heaters unless they are the forced air type (wallas, webasto etc) The force 10 is going to provide very minimal heat. I had one in a 30 footer. I am not sure which Dickenson or sigmar ones you allude to.... I tried a little Japanese Toyoset forced air type on my 44 footer. Ran it off a little kerosene tank. It's a freestanding little unit that just requires a small stack. Put out a lot of heat and burned almost nothing. I had trouble with it when it was brand new, the rep came out and replaced the "burn mat" and then it was great! Kind of a step up from the Force 10 type but simpler and less $ than the forced air Espar, Wallas etc..... not sure if they still sell them or not. If you can afford it a little Webasto is great. You dont have to install it with a bunch of ducting, one out let would be fine.

19-10-2009, 09:55	#4
michaelmrc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Boat: 27ft catalina Posts: 198	i have the dickinson propane fireplace on my catalina 27 it works great good fan to blow the air down and around nice little glass window for ambiance kit comes complete with backing plate chimney stack and chimney cap all i needed to buy was the propane hose and a couple of fittings . would highly recommend this heater.

19-10-2009, 09:57	#5
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,371	If going propane, what Catalytic heaters are available? My father in law has one on his small RV and it's great... no stack, no safety issues etc....radiates a huge amount of heat.

19-10-2009, 11:08	#6
defjef Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: up from NYC Boat: Shiva - Contest 36s Posts: 1,921	The Espar Airtronic 4 can be installed by the boat owner. No rocket science... all plug and play. You need a path to run the various hoses and ducts and it is not cheap. But it has some advantages and is quite neat, quite and doesn't take up real estate or have open flames burning up cabin O2. It provides even heat, get its combustion air from outside and exhausts to outside and can use your diesel tank so you need not have a separate fuel tank, and locker to worry about, or draw down your cooking tank. It's been maintenance free so far.

19-10-2009, 11:30	#8
michaelmrc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Boat: 27ft catalina Posts: 198	i have one of those little coleman heaters in the canopy of my truck works ok when its cold out to heat up the canopy but not sure it would do much for heat in a 28 ft boat.

19-10-2009, 11:48	#10
michaelmrc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Boat: 27ft catalina Posts: 198	my new dickinson fireplace draws its fresh air in through the dual tube chimney. i sleep with mine on all the time never worry about it. i do have a propane alarm but have never had it go off.

19-10-2009, 12:02	#11
idpnd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Belgium Boat: Chiquita 46 - Libertalia Posts: 772	I've used webasto diesel heaters on a number of occasions. The fan draws a bit of electric power, but the cabin does get nice and warm quickly..

19-10-2009, 12:04	#12
michaelmrc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Boat: 27ft catalina Posts: 198	my neighbour has a webasto heater on his 41fter he loves it. heats the whole boat up nicely. the only drawback besides the original purchase price is the amount of electrical draw.

19-10-2009, 13:17	#13
defjef Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: up from NYC Boat: Shiva - Contest 36s Posts: 1,921	The electric draw on the Airtronic 4 is not too much at all once the glow plug gets the fuel ignited. When it reaches design temp it draw very little.

19-10-2009, 13:35	#14
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,371	Yes, having installed both I would opt for the Webasto over the Espar...

19-10-2009, 14:15	#15
S&S Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Boat: 48' 1963 S&S yawl Posts: 708 Images: 6	We have a Luke (solid fuel). It dries out the boat nicely (there's a cover for use underway- we use briquets or anthracite) Aim a fan at it and you're good. http://peluke.com/Fireplaces/fireplaces.html