Need Heat on Beneteau !

[RussCo]

Hello.
Phew, I have read loads on the heat topic on the forum. It's fantastic stuff so I do not want to beat it to death. I am aware of hydronic, air heat, Espar, Webasto, et al., and believe I now know the advantages and disadvantages of the different systems, although not all of you agree with each other, surprise surprise. I need to as inexpensively as possible get some heat aboard our '93 Beneteau OC400 2 cabin version. The local installer dudes are asking approx $8000 for installed hydronic and $5500 for air heat installed. Have been poking around looking for duct routing possibilies for a DIY install, but doesn't look very easy. If anybody has advice on this aspect of it, please fire away...........

[COLINFLTENG]

I have the Wallas heater on my CS 40
Being on boat 1995 use little power and diesel new unit aboat $3000 unit easy to install ducking little hard to route

[Sailmonkey]

Where are you physically? is the water warm enough to make the reverse cycle heat efficient?

[RussCo]

I am in Squamish, BC. Cold water!

[Cheechako]

On my 44 footer, I was able to place the forced air heater such that it only had two short ducts. One was directed forward into the V berth cabin and the other just came right out in the salon area. None in aft cabin. Could you do that by just installing a heater under a settee?

[RussCo]

Hi Cheechako
First thing that comes to mind with your suggestion is the difficulty this would lead to routing an exhaust out from that area, not to mention the significant heat that a diesel powered furnace would generate. Maybe not a safe solution.

[RussCo]

Thanks for the Wallas suggestion COLINFLTENG looks like their model 40dt (they claim heats up to a 15 m boat) and a kit sells for $3500. Sorta the same price as Webasto or Espar airheat. They seem to recommend an install in the engine compartment, but that still doesn't negate the need to find a route for the 75mm ducting. This model is their largest and produces up to 13600btu, I wonder if that is a bit light. I was thinking that 18000btu would be the right size?

[hpeer]

I had an Espar rep install a D-4 in our 33' boat. Against my wishes he ran a ton of air duct. I couldn't see the point.

I our 44' center cockpit I installed a D-4 over the engine with a very short duct into the main salon. Heats the main salon a charm in Delaware. Probably about similar to your winter.

Aft cabin stays chilly, but that is OK. Sleeping bags and cuddling.

It helps to close off the forepeak and other small cabin.

I found the install pretty simple and I surely did a better job than the 'pro.' Sure was a LOT cheaper too. I think I ended up under $2k, and that included some extra exhaust hose and insulation.

I bought from Greg Landyut at Lubrication Specialist. He was helpful then and quickly returns emails. Two days ago I mailed him and asked for a list of spare parts for my summer trip, he got right back to me with suggestions. Decent prices also.

Fumoto Oil Drain Valves, Espar Heaters, Espar Heater Parts, Evans Coolant :Lubrication Specialist

[DeepFrz]

Yes, you have five main concerns. Exhaust, combustion air supply, air duct or coolant routing, electrical supply and fuel. A poor job of installing any of these will give you poor results. Its not an easy job to be sure. I would think that a hydronic system would be easier to install because of the smaller hoses compared to the air ducts, however, you do have twice as many. And then you have extra wiring in a hydronic system as well.

Installation of these heaters is the single most important factor.

Looking at it this way kind of makes the installed price look reasonable, but do get and check references on the installer if you go that route.

[zenkayaker]

well at least the beer is cold

[gulfislandfred]

Have you considered one or even two Dickenson bulkhead mount propane heaters and a couple of computer fans (round ones in ducts if you like) to move the heat around the main cabin. If it's OK to sleep cool, isn't it a one room heat situation?

Newbie

[bigpuff]

a stainless toaster on low heat with a gap in the main hatch warms my bene 411 nicely turn her off befor turning in,i made one with a flat top so i can cook and have hot water all the time.

[gulfislandfred]

Is that an electric toaster?

[DRS]

Talk to ThermoKing in Coquitlam or Highway refer in POCO they offer Espar and Webasto respectively and as they deal in the heavy truck industry they will have the same units without the "marine" tax. Espar hydronic 5 is about $2500 installed on a truck.
I run an Espar hot air unit ducted throughout the boat and it works great in our area of the world

[PEACETIME]

We use a Heater Buddy 4,000 - 9,000 BTU portable propane heater. Way more heat than we need, so I end up turning it down to just the pilot light after bringing the cabin up to temp. There are some restrictions for Canada and Calif. so you would need to check that out. Cost around $100.00 USD. They have a low oxygen shut down and a tip over shut down, you would still need to install a carbon monoxide sensor just to be safe. I didn't want to run any ducts or additional fans ( already have fans in the cabin ) so when winter is over I just prep it and put it away for the summer.
Just a satisfied customer