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jpendoley · 22-02-2017, 14:35

Hello Forum,
Due to an unforseen change (girlfriend flipped) I need to move back aboard in Massachusetts in March or April. It will be cold. I need a heater. My boat is a 1979 Pearson 365. 36 feet and 12 foot beam. figure engine room does not need heat so the effective space to heat is 12 by 28 by 6.5 feet. Fat and broad.

I'd prefer a forced air system, but am horrified at the marine pricing. . One sizing module suggested a Webasto Airtop 40 or 55 would work-but the cost is through the roof-like$4500.
I am mechanically very competent-what is the best way to get this done? I'd rather not install a diesel fireplace ala Dickensen, but may have to if I cant get a forced air system for less than 2K.
really appreciate any suggestions for a Webasto or Espar approach.
Jim
s/v Walkabout

**boatman61** · 22-02-2017, 14:42

If your in a marina just get a 2bar electric heater..

jpendoley · 22-02-2017, 14:45

No marina-going to be on a mooring, have 400 AMP bank and 280Watts of solar, 50 gallons of diesel. thanks for the suggestion though....

**Jim Cate** · 22-02-2017, 15:24

Will you only need heat for those sorta spring-like months, or will this last until next winter? If the former, a Dickenson type heater will likely do you. Much less expensive, and much easier installation than the forced air types.

The POs of our boat survived winters in British Columbia with the Fab-All heater we have on board still. We use it even in summer down here in Tasmania, where the air temps drop to around 50 F at night. It is more than adequate in this service, usually running at a very low setting to keep us comfy (we are cold wooses).

Jim

CaptTom · 22-02-2017, 15:42

Living without shore power and on a mooring tells me two things:
1. An outside-vented diesel heater is the way to go, and
2. You want to be able to get it nice and warm inside without much effort.

The Espar or Webasto (or Planar, like I have) forced hot air diesel heaters would be the simplest, quickest and least expensive to install. Long-term, forced hot water is better, but that takes more work, and boats not designed for it are notorious for not having good locations to put the baseboard heaters.

I'd consider two smaller units, rather than one huge one. Again thinking about point #2, if you're living aboard you don't want to be cold all the time. At least sometimes, you'll want to relax without having to wear multiple layers of clothing, gloves and fuzzy slippers, no matter how cold it is outside. Other days you might just want to take the morning chill off.

jpendoley · 22-02-2017, 16:13

Jim and Tom, thanks for your replies. I like the idea of a forced hot air system because I do not want to cut a 3 inch or 4 inch hole in my deck if I don't have to. The forced hot air systems can be snapped in place and even removed without a lot of work.
Tom you are the first person I know of who mentioned the planar systems, so you are happy with it? I could buy three of them or more for the cost of a webasto

**hpeer** · 22-02-2017, 16:23

We have an Espar D4 in a 44' steel center cockpit. We lived through a few winters in Delaware, the lowest temperature I got outside was 1°F.

I closed the forepeak, side cabin, and aft cabin reducing our heated space to just the saloon. At night we would sleep in the aft cabin under sleeping bags with the companionway door open. But there were 2 of us, that helps.

I installed the system myself, but made a mistake and bought it off a less than first class Internet dealer. I would suggest you go to (I think it's) Michigan Espar, they are online. You will pay a few hundred more than the bottom scrapers but will get a better kit. I had some I unneeded install hassles where the supplier cut corners.

It's not really that hard and should run just under $2,000 for all the bits.

When you do it think about mounting it so you have access to service the glow plug.

Also talk to the dealer and make sure you FULLY understand how the thermostat works. There are some subtle differences about the amount of time they stay on and how they work that can be very annoying, trust me. My gut says bite the bullet and buy the 7 day model. I wish I did.

Another PITA is figuring out to get a seperate dedicated fuel supply. That's probably an issue with any diesel heater install. Ive had to some backyard modifications to make that all work out. Depends upon your tank configuration and material.

And you may not need a lot of ducting. I think that gets exaggerated. I have less than 3' total. Works just fine. But I got lucky with placement.

Good luck.

ShaktisBoy · 22-02-2017, 16:27

I have a slightly used 50,000 btu diesel heater system out of a friends catamaran, he moved south. PM me for details

jpendoley · 22-02-2017, 16:28

Hpeer those are all great suggestions, thank you! Particularly about the dealer recommendation I'll keep it in mind just under 2K I could probably swing. And I definitely will not have anyone else keeping me warm this winter so install is critical

sailorboy1 · 22-02-2017, 16:55

From my experience in Salem Ma, if you are going to be on mooring in April living aboard you are going to need forced air diesel heating. It doesn't get warm enough to last be out out on the water till July.

GRIT · 22-02-2017, 17:16

This is what we used on our old boats. Worked great, and these guys sell most parts required for repair as well.

Airtronic D4 13,650 btu Air Heater: Espar Heater Parts, Diesel Truck Heaters - Lubrication Specialist

I'm using the same one now on our new build too, it heats the bridgedeck at -20C without issue. 16x9x6.5 feet.

We didn't give the unit a dedicated fuel feed in either of our other boats, nor the new cat. We tapped from the engine fuel filter and have never had an issue.

It's true that there are several controllers available, but the standard (tiny controller) one that comes with most espars will work fine. There isn't a time limit on run time, it'll run until you turn it off. (Mine's been running since January, on the digimax)

I personally prefer, and use, the Digimax D1000 controller for it's trouble shooting (shows codes) ability. It seems to come with the espar shown in the link above.

Cheers.
Paul.

GRIT · 22-02-2017, 17:54

PS, some controllers do have run timers, just not the ones I've mentioned.

Suijin · 22-02-2017, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpendoley

Hello Forum,
Due to an unforseen change (girlfriend flipped) I need to move back aboard in Massachusetts in March or April. It will be cold. I need a heater. My boat is a 1979 Pearson 365. 36 feet and 12 foot beam. figure engine room does not need heat so the effective space to heat is 12 by 28 by 6.5 feet. Fat and broad.

I'd prefer a forced air system, but am horrified at the marine pricing. . One sizing module suggested a Webasto Airtop 40 or 55 would work-but the cost is through the roof-like$4500.
I am mechanically very competent-what is the best way to get this done? I'd rather not install a diesel fireplace ala Dickensen, but may have to if I cant get a forced air system for less than 2K.
really appreciate any suggestions for a Webasto or Espar approach.
Jim
s/v Walkabout

Someone here in the classifieds just had listed a full Espar kit for @ $1700 as I recall.

I have one on my boat. Would not trade it for the world. Dry heat, sips fuel, heats fast, very compact. Mine is installed in a cockpit locker, tucked up under the coaming. Takes up space that would be difficult to utilize otherwise.

It does, however, use electric for the blower, although it's not a big hit.

jpendoley · 22-02-2017, 18:30

Folks, can't thank you enough for the iexperience on the forum it is in valuable. I understand the electric hit from the blower, But the sun is higher in April and I've got 300 W of solar so I should be able to keep up.