I am getting ready to move aboard my sailboat in January, not the best timing however no choice. I have been researching various brands of bulkhead
diesel fueled heaters and have narrowed it down to the
Dickinson Newport or the
Dickinson Sigmar 170.
The Sig's balanced
draft flue system has the advantage over the
Newport by allowing the addition of an air intake flue to be connected to the bottom of the
stove that allows combustion air to be drawn from the outside of the
boat. The advantage in theory, being less chance of creating a negative pressure inside the
cabin and reducing potential backdrafts, oxygen depletion, improved combustion etc.
The Newport is a much nicer looking
heater that the Sig and the fireplace window would certainly be charming when there is a foot of snow on the
cabin. Also many
internet postings from cold
weather live aboards that have been very satisfied for years with the
single flue set up. The Sig looks like a big cheese grater. So the question is does the balanced
draft feature increase the perfomance of the Sig so significantly that it trumps, the beauty, charm and warmth of the Dickinson Newport?