LPG versus Diesel Heating on Narrowboat

[YoureBarrd]

We have a propane fueled Alde brand heater suppling a glycol-water mix to our radiators on a 60 foot Aqualine narrowboat for ambient heat. The system is 16 years old and is having electrical and plumbing problems. We are considering replacing it with a diesel source system. The advantage is that diesel will be less expensive to operate and will use the same fuel that the engine does, eliminating the need to haul propane tanks to the boat. The disadvantages, as I understand them are that the diesel system is louder, produces soot, could be more difficult to get serviced and runs best on the blue diesel found at petrol stations, not the red diesel found in marinas. Since we only use the boat for 2-3 months during mild weather, the higher cost of LPG isn't important, whereas comfort and convenience are very important.
Does anyone have experience with both and can give us advice?

[psk125]

What is the supposed difference between red-dyed and blue-dyed diesel? An internet search suggests that they both have a higher sulfur content than clear diesel, but that otherwise they are the same; they're simply dyed different colors to indicate different tax rates at the pump. We have a diesel heater that we use infrequently. It is nice to have when it's needed. It is nice not to need a separate fuel source for it. We also have a propane cookstove, so using propane for heat would also be a possibility. However it would be a shame to warm up the cabin nicely and then find out we didn't have enough propane to cook supper.

[YoureBarrd]

Good point. We would also be using the diesel heater infrequently, but we cook with propane twice daily. I assumed that there was a difference is diesel quality. Apparently not. Now we're leaning towards diesel. Thanks.

[deblen]

Here is some info that may help you decide:


https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/gear...rs-guide-79186

[YoureBarrd]

I appreciate any information I can get. Thanks.

[coopec43]

In Australia if you want insurance you can't have gas installed on your yacht unless it is fitted by a qualified gas fitter (and inspected every (3)?)


AND if the yacht is not insured it won't be allowed into any marina.

[YoureBarrd]

Although our boat is a frumpy old narrowboat, and not a sleek, sexy yacht, the gas consideration is valid. We've decided on diesel, which keeps the system in the engine bay, away from the cabin, where our Alde is located. Thanks.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by YoureBarrd

runs best on the blue diesel found at petrol stations, not the red diesel found in marinas.

I live in the Land of the, er, Free (and right to arm bears) but it is my understanding that it's a difference in taxation and that most narrowboats with diesel boilers/calorifiers just make a nominal effort to purchase diesel under the various tax schemes in rough proportion to their usage.

[goeasy123]

What about running your diesel heater on kerosene? Cheaper than diesel.

[YoureBarrd]

I'm a Yank too and a little hazy on all the fuel tax intricacies. Apparently red diesel is still allowed for marine use and is rebated according to how you're using it. But I have read that the rebate is going to be discontinued. It will certainly increase the operating cost of a diesel heater versus gas, but it's the direction that narrowboat central heating is going, so that's where this Yank will go. Although it might be a moot point if non-UK residents are denied marine insurance and are forced to sell their UK based boats . . . there may be some deals to be had for the Brits.

[SailingHarmonie]

So, let's start with the obvious. A narrow boat is NOT going to be cruising in remote places. So LPG is not ever likely to be far away.

The primary disadvantage of LPG as a heating fuel on a boat is that it requires a lot more VOLUME of storage space than diesel does, and is available in smaller unit quantities. If you have the space, and can easily obtain the amount of LPG needed, it is a better fuel. Cleaner, neater, and in a proper installation, perfectly safe. But you DO need to look carefully at how much you will need, and at the logistics of getting it onboard. It might, or might not, be worth the hassle of dealing with tanks large, or numerous, enough to be practical.

In the USA the colors of diesel are actually very simple, but seem to cause no end of confusion, because there is so much misinformation floating around. Here is the simple cheat sheet for diesel colors. There are other complexities, but this covers 99% of the issues:

CLEAR is for low-sulfur diesel that has the full load of road taxes paid. It can be legally used in any service. Because of the tax load it is the most expensive--by far.

RED is low sulfur diesel that does NOT have road taxes paid. It can be used in farm and construction equipment, and marine uses. It is illegal to use in vehicles on the road. It is the middle price point.

BLUE is higher sulfur diesel that is normally reserved for home heating fuel. It is illegal to use in any mobile application. It is the cheapest, by a good margin. It is one of the reasons that diesel cars are popular in the northern states. You can pull fuel out of your heating oil tank and pay half the price at the roadside pump. Outside of long haul trucks who are subject to routine inspections, the chances of getting caught at this in most places are near zero.

[deblen]

In the True North(strong & free),we are not allowed to use road tax free diesel in recreational craft. We must use "hi-way" diesel paying the full tax like any road vehicle.
Of course,the govt paints yellow lines on our waterways & plows them during winter freeze up

[Fore and Aft]

Youre Bardd my old mans trawler had a diesel stove with oven. We basically started it on the first day fishing and turned it off six days later when heading home. The galley was in the focsle which kept nice and dry along with the rest of the boat. The stove was run on standard diesel. During summer the old man eased the heat back but still kept it running.
Cheers

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by deblen

In the True North(strong & free),we are not allowed to use road tax free diesel in recreational craft. We must use "hi-way" diesel paying the full tax like any road vehicle.
Of course,the govt paints yellow lines on our waterways & plows them during winter freeze up

We even plow our rivers & canals!

The Rideau Canal Skateway (Ottawa): How we create the world’s largest skating rink
➥ https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/blog/rideau-ca...t-skating-rink
Maintenance:
Once the Skateway is open, we maintain it around the clock. We remove snow, and resurface the ice every night, weather permitting. For every 1 cm of snowfall, our crews move 125,000 kg of snow off the Skateway.
➥ https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/blog/rideau-ca...nk#maintenance


The Nestaweya River Trail is a naturally frozen skating trail, which offers the unique experience of seeing the sights of Winnipeg (skate, walk, run, or sled), from the frozen Red and Assiniboine Rivers.
➥ https://www.theforks.com/events/skat...ark-conditions

[TBW]

I have had an ITR diesel system for 15 years.
Very good product.
Outstanding help and support.
Outstanding.
International Thermal Research
TW