Modern heating options

[TeddyDiver]

Stove fans | Clas Ohlson | Clas Ohlson
Something to consider for heat distribution on top of a drip diesel heater. Works well too and without cords


BR Teddy

[witzgall]

Also, don't guess on the heat needed, you can calculate this. The cubic feet X 15-18 depending on the boat's insulation, # of windows, etc. is a good place to start.This will get you the BTUs. Note that on many heaters, the top rating is not sustainable, but is only a boost rating for about 1/2 hour or so.

Chris

[Astrid]

[QUOTE][Off shore power, the Eber works pretty well. Hydronic is really good for distributing heat around a larger boat, and it makes hot water, too. The OP probably doesn't need hydronic on a boat his size, but might still be worth considering if making hot water is important. If you have space for radiators or baseboard radiators, then another advantage of hydronic is quiet./QUOTE]

I agree with Dockhead on using hydronic. I have used it for some time now up in northern British Columbian and Alaskan waters and having hot water on tap is definitely a good thing. But, as Dockhead points out, it might be more than is necessary on smaller boats than mine.

[JPA Cate]

Friends have installed Webasto forced air on their 40 footer. They went to Alaska with it, and the reports are very good. They also insulated the whole boat under the deck and down the inside of the hull to the waterline. Later, they insulated below the waterline, as well. In the mild climate of NSW, Oz, it will raise the temp to comfortable in 30 minutes of running time.

By comparison, this is much faster than our Dickinson type diesel heater with a cabin fan for distributing the warm air.

Ann

[montigre]

I thank everyone for their opinions and recommendations. After doing a bit more research, I have decided to go with the 16,000 btu Webasto reverse cycle heat/AC unit. While I will probably not use the AC very often, it will come in handy on those few sultry dog days of summer when not even the mosquitoes dare to venture out.

[minimalism]

I was liveaboard on the SFBay (cold COLD nights) and this mini space heater tucked away worked wonders on my 30ft Bayliner.

https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-754200-...s=space+heater

I personally never kept it running over night but I did connect it to a smart plug (which was setup with my alexa) and was able to set timers for it as I was on my way to the board (to ensure its warm when I get there) and a timer to turn it off in the middle of the night. For $30, you cant beat it.