Bengco heaters

Colin24

Colin24

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After reading several previous threads concerning cabin heaters, the product that sounds the most appealing to me is the Bengco Charcoal Heater. I can't be doing with all kinds of fans, blowers, pumps, wiring, ducting, fuel tanks & power supplies.
I like the low tech earthy nature of this piece of kit.
I’m only looking to heat a very small space (22’ – 24’ pocket cruiser at the very bottom end of the market) I guess theses things come in a range of sizes but having looked at the Bengco web site, there is very little information –particularly regarding price. As I’m currently aboard ship offshore North West India its difficult to enquire further just now.
My main query is what sort of ballpark price would I be looking at for a unit that would generously heat a small craft and are there any similar contraptions available from other manufactures?
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Colin


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Colin,

I can't let a post going with no reply, so...
I have seen a Bengco on a Vertue and it looked the dogs' orbs. Quite a neat, compact box that puts out a lot of heat and a rich smell. Unfortunately the www.bengco.co.uk website has no prices.
You might be interested in Whiskerstay's Heating and Cooking thread on the Classic Boat forum which has a few ideas for solid fuel heating. There are contact details for the Newport (USA) and the Faversham (UK) both of which are really geared to burn coal and wood, rather than charcoal.
There is also an interesting proposition from a contributor who has bought a pot belly stove from Machine Mart. I suspect this might be a bit big for a sub - 24 footer.

Best of luck with it.

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Thanks for the info, I’ve written to Bengco for specs and prices. I’ve only recently been bitten by the sailing bug and have only just discovered this site. Not doubt there will be many more and far stupider questions I’ll be needing help with in the near future.

Cheers,

Colin


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<<Not doubt there will be many more and far stupider questions I’ll be needing help with in the near future.
If this is the case join the club. It will be nice to hear someone else's stupid questions, not just mine.
John

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<<Not doubt there will be many more and far stupider questions I’ll be needing help with in the near future.
If this is the case join the club. It will be nice to hear someone else's stupid questions, not just mine.
John

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Colon!
I have a Bengco in my 24ft motor sailor. I am very happy with it. The unit is made of stainless steel and measures 18 ins high by 6 by 6. It stands off the bulkhead by 2 ins It comes with a flue approx 3 feet (1 metre) long with a cowel and a cap for this when the heater is not being used, with a thru roof fitting. In 1999 I paid £320.00 plus postage. I burn charcoal, briquetts, turf, driftwood, paper anything that burns. Last weekend I was on board from Sat 10am to Tue 6pm and burned approx 12kgs of charcoal, some wood and turf - the cabin temperature was minimum 20C deg - often higher depending on loading. To keep the fire lit it is important to empty the fire box of ashes every 12 hours - I have oven gloves for this - dump over the side - ashes to ashes! Depending on use, (I use mine every weekend and often during the week) I clean the chimney with a braze n bit, essential when using turf/wood which chokes the chimney. A great piece of kit and a conversation piece too - quite a few of my friends have bought them. Simplicity is best!
Warmly yours!
Pelican

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Colin, I fitted one to a 24' Dauntless this Spring. It is very well made, a good solid piece of kit, but it appears to be made from a small engineering firm and there can be a bit of a wait for delivery. It is a doddle to bulkhead mount, with four bolts, easily accessible, but some care is needed with the chimney fitting. The cowl is a very snug fit for starters, and to avoid leaks, you have to be very careful with the shaping of the block you have to make up to deal with cabin roof curvature. We are a boatyard and it took about 4 hours to fit from box to hoovered. Good choice.

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Is the 1m flue essential or will it work with a shorter flue?

I need to mount it on the bulkhead high enough up to not scorch the cushions . . .

- N

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I fitted one with a very short flue, of about 7" long for the same reason. This was not recommended, but seems to work well enough.

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That's very encouraging, oldsalt - do you ever get downdraughts?

- Nick

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I have occasionally in strong winds, my solution is a temporary extension to the chimney. However I have found that this is rarely needed. I use "hot nuts" (I think it's called), it's a concentrated charcoal which burns for longer with less ash. Bought from Homebase.

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I have occasionally in strong winds, my solution is a temporary extension to the chimney. However I have found that this is rarely needed. I use "hot nuts" (I think it's called), it's a concentrated charcoal which burns for longer with less ash. Bought from Homebase.

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