Boat heating

Slow_boat

Slow_boat

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Anyone got any suggestions what heating system to put in my Macwester 26?

I don't sail in winter but it would be nice to have some sort of cabin heating for those chilly spring and autumn evenings at anchor next year, thus avoiding marinas.

Deisel heating looks complicated and costly to install, parafin and solid fuel look like they need more space than I've got.

Are there any other alternatives?
 
I'm looking at a catalytic gas heater for my 26' sloop. It will run off the cooker gas & don't seem to be too intrusive. Looking for some feedback on perfomance/usability, maybe you will get some now! Not too sure on the likelihood of condensation, I find that on an old boat it builds up quite quickly, so rather hoping that the above heater is not too bad in that respect.They come in I think 3 sizes, but imagine the smallest (mini) would be sufficient. Await any further opinions.
 
Looks good. And a good price.

Smelly not quite as good but HEAT luverly !


I did see another one in a camping shop recently. The blurb said that it was the only one passed and rated for inside use. Price I think was around £70.
 
[ QUOTE ]
.. and rated for inside use..

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I don't understand that. Are they suggesting it doesn't produce carbon Monoxide? I don't believe it. If you burn paraffin in an unventilated space you are likely to end up dead!

One owner of a Twister has fitted something similar into a simple s/sl box, open at the front to allow the heat to radiate, but with a flue leading up through the coachroof. That seems a safer way of doing it.
 
Flues...

Any heater (paraffin or gas) without a flue will fill the boat with both fumes and condensation - unpleasant and potentially dangerous. Be very careful choosing your heater.
 
Re: Flues...

Open the hatch
put 2 Large flowerpots (10") upsidedown on the gas rings
when zinging hot - close hatch, turn off gas

Lots of heat, no fumes - cost £2 + gas
 
Re: Flues...

Understood that the catalytic gas heaters do not produce carbon monoxide, however I stand to be corrected, BEFORE I buy one, as if I leave it until after I may never stand again! Anyone got a definitive answer??
 
Carbon monoxide...

Carbon monoxide isn't the only thing to worry about! You can easily die from carbon dioxide poisoning too. Any unflued gas/paraffin/diesel heater consumes oxygen from the air inside the cabin and pumps exhaust gas and water vapour into the cabin.
 
Re: Carbon monoxide...

Just done a google & catalytic heaters should comply with EN 449, which is regulations for UNFLUED heaters in confined spaces. Guess that this would also cover such items as sufficient ventilation to take care of exhaust gas & water vapour, however I am waiting to get the full document for chapter & verse. Bottom line is, I guess they cannot sell them as unflued, unless they are safe to use in boats/caravans etc.
 
We have a catalytic gas heater, the Midi version from Force 4 (£100) that we run off a spare gas cylinder. We do have an Eberspacher that came (non-working) with our boat but decided not to join the ranks of those spending fortunes and every weekend repairing same as in our case it doesn't feed the right areas anyway.

If we are on our berth we are plugged into shorepower and a £20 thermostically controlled fan heater is perfect, nice quick dry heat and we leave it on overnight.

If we are away and anchored or whatever and not plugged in then the gas catalytic is ideal. It uses no electricity and puts out a fair bit of heat, more than adequate for early/late season sailing on our 41 footer which is quite a big area to heat. I think ours is equivalent to about 1800W and after a while on full we need to turn it down. However we are very aware of the potential for condensation and will leave the main hatch open when the heater is in use, by doing that we have had no problem. We do not run the catalytic heater overnight but just shut the mainhatch/washboards once it is nice and warm below. Our heater is on a long hose so we can leave the cylinder outside and still put the heater where we want it below, but it could be wall mounted and plumbed in if needs be. I just prefer to keep it portable and it usually goes home once the weather warms up in spring.
 
Just to add to this, I had the same catalytic heater in the past and installed a CO monitor / alarm. In a boat with good ventilation, etc, the CO reading was zero ppm even right above the heater. So long as there is a good air flow in and out of the boat, you're probably OK...but do get an alarm just in case!! Can't comment on CO2 but I was not aware of any adverse effects. Condensation was my main worry. I wouldn't sleep with such a heater going, but for an hour or so at the end of a winter sail, it worked...but so does my Tilley Lamp (another option).
 
everyone seems eager to spend your money

so I suggest you try using your gas oven as a temporary heater. That's what I do, and the heated stove keeps the cabin warm for some time after.

When alongside a 1kW fan heater does in all but the coldest weather. Cost about £20.

If it doesn't work for you well - then you can lash out.
 
Re: everyone seems eager to spend your money

By chance, I have, today, taken delivery of a Coleman Blackcat catalytic gas heater. I bought it after seeing the range featured on an american website which included a very small personal unit "suitable for use in a car"!

On this basis I assumed a catalytic heater would be fine for the boat. Having unpacked it I find lots of warnings about not using it indoors.

Does anyone have any experience of the Coleman unit?
 
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