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Old 19-10-2009, 09:30   #1
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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
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Old 19-10-2009, 09:39   #2
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 09:42   #3
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 09:55   #4
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 09:57   #5
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 11:08   #6
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 11:27   #7
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what I use

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Originally Posted by Cheechako View Post
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$
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Old 19-10-2009, 11:30   #8
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 11:44   #9
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 11:48   #10
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 12:02   #11
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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..
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Old 19-10-2009, 12:04   #12
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 13:17   #13
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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.
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Old 19-10-2009, 13:35   #14
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Yes, having installed both I would opt for the Webasto over the Espar...
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Old 19-10-2009, 14:15   #15
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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
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