Heaters on a gas powered boat?

[Hermia II]

Any type of heating is a risk. I used to have a 27 foot boat with a gazoline-powered Volvo Penta 6hp (i think) S-rive engine where you had to look at the exhaust to see if it was working. Incredibly quiet. I had a Gasole powered water heater with radiators in different places, worked wonderfully. Today however I would re-power to a Diesel engine and have a Eberspächer or Webasto waterheater with radiators. I have a Eberspächer and radiators now and it is absolutely wonderful. Quiet, heating everywhere, perfectly distributed. It costs a bit more but it is a fantastic investment.

[Franziska]

I have not read each posting, but just for reference Eberspaecher makes hydronic heaters for Benzine driven cars.
Still, I once inquired and they said that they have no certification to be installed on boats...

[Hermia II]

Originally Posted by Franziska

I have not read each posting, but just for reference Eberspaecher makes hydronic heaters for Benzine driven cars.
Still, I once inquired and they said that they have no certification to be installed on boats...

The Hydronic M8, M10 & M12 diesel heaters for example are very much used on yachts. The Coast Guard in the nordic countries use them a lot.

[Hermia II]

https://www.eberspaecher.com/en/prod...ng/marine.html

[Franziska]

I know!
That's why I inquireed if I could not use the Benzine model on our boat. We have no Diesel, but 2 Outboards and a Genset using Benzine.
Unfortunately they said no, only the Diesel ones are boat certified.

Originally Posted by Hermia II

The Hydronic M8, M10 & M12 diesel heaters for example are very much used on yachts. The Coast Guard in the nordic countries use them a lot.

[Woodland Hills]

Webasto, Espar and others make gasoline heaters for trucks, buses and RVs. They require 12v power, but if installed correctly they are safe. Any heater, propane, diesel or gasoline if installed incorrectly and not maintained is dangerous.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Woodland Hills

Webasto, Espar and others make gasoline heaters for trucks, buses and RVs. They require 12v power, but if installed correctly they are safe. Any heater, propane, diesel or gasoline if installed incorrectly and not maintained is dangerous.

This is what gets me. They make those and say they're safe to use in a land vehicle. But they also warn that they're not for marine use. I've always taken that statement at face value, but never really come up with a reason why they're unsafe for marine use.

[Brewgyver]

Originally Posted by montyp

This might be a ridiculous suggestion, but could you just run your engine coolant line through the cabin? The waste heat from an idling engine would probably be enough to keep the cabin warm.

The majority of Atomic 4 boat installations used Raw Water Cooling. Many A4 owners sailing in cold waters who have the engine loop connected to a water heater have reported that motoring (engine at 1800 rpm or better) won't even get the domestic water hot enough for a shower. My A4 can idle for half an hour and barely move the temp gauge.

If the OP is lucky enough to have Fresh Water Cooling on his, then hydronic heating using the engine for a source would be possible, but not very practical.

[Franziska]

Essentially it's a simple why.

Benzine fumes are heavier than air, highly flammable and collect in the bilges.
One spark and Boooomm!

In cars there is no bilge and they just vent off. No issue.

Unfortunately they do not go into special consideration on an installation on a catamaran bridgedeck.
Neither they follow the line of thought that there are many marinized Benzine engines around too.

Originally Posted by rslifkin

This is what gets me. They make those and say they're safe to use in a land vehicle. But they also warn that they're not for marine use. I've always taken that statement at face value, but never really come up with a reason why they're unsafe for marine use.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

This is what gets me. They make those and say they're safe to use in a land vehicle. But they also warn that they're not for marine use. I've always taken that statement at face value, but never really come up with a reason why they're unsafe for marine use.

There is a good reason for that . In a land vehicle any fuel that might leak will leak on the ground under it and dissipate . On a boat it will leak into the bilge and concentrate.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Portage_bay

You might check into Wallas heaters. When I looked at them a few years ago they were OK for installing in the living space. If you can find a spot for it you can keep it out of the engine space on anywhere gasoline fumes can build up.


Do check with Wallas if you decide to go that route, make sure I haven't got it wrong.

I agree about a Wallas heater. They produce both kerosene and diesel heaters. They are very quiet and are often installed in lockers forward - eg opposite the head. Fuel miserly so a 10 liter tank lasts many hours.

https://wallas.ca/

While some have mentioned the use of a gasoline heater on a boat I doubt one will pass a survey.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

I agree about a Wallas heater. They produce both kerosene and diesel heaters. They are very quiet and are often installed in lockers forward - eg opposite the head. Fuel miserly so a 10 liter tank lasts many hours.

https://wallas.ca/

While some have mentioned the use of a gasoline heater on a boat I doubt one will pass a survey.

It would if you follow ABYC and Canadian Coast guard directives.

On deck only. Passes 100%

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Chotu

It would if you follow ABYC and Canadian Coast guard directives.

On deck only. Passes 100%

Not likely to be installed on deck of a C&C 30

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by donoharm

I just purchased a C&C 30 with a gas powered atomic 4 engine. I’m a little weary about the risk of explosion with a gas powered boat That developed a leak, but I’d like to get a heater. Is this safe? On the other hand, the boat has a stove and I don’t hear any stories about gas powered boats being blown up when people use their stove.

Surveyed dozens of C&C 30's. vast majority had significant issues with non-ignition protected equipment in the engine compartment. i.e. Single pole main breakers, AC fuses, inverters, electric heaters and battery chargers and more.

As long as the engine compartment is vapour tight to the interior and properly ventilated you are good to go with electric, diesel or kerosene heat.

Don't do what these idiots did in their engine compartments.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

This is what gets me. They make those and say they're safe to use in a land vehicle. But they also warn that they're not for marine use. I've always taken that statement at face value, but never really come up with a reason why they're unsafe for marine use.

Simply because a land vehicle does not have a hull to trap fumes or leaking gasoline.