Heaters for over the winter etc

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I too recommend a dehumidifier normally, for being left on 24/7 and preferable to a heater if there had to be a choice.
But would it still be ok in a wooden boat?

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Is it a waste? Doesn't the power consumed end up as heat, which is what you want anyway?

I am ready to be shot down by and scientists around, but I think the power coming into a fan heater is converted into heat for the elements and kinetic energy for the fan. Sure, there is some heat from the fan motor, but the energy to spin the blades has to come from somewhere.

With a static heater like the dimplex the hot air is distributed for free by ventilation. The warm air escapes and cold air is drawn in to replace it.

This is why I think heating is more important than dehumidifying, but that argument went on for weeks on another thread.

 

[maxi77]

We have fixed low wattage heaters in each cabin mainly to help reduce condensation and they have been good at that along with some ventilation. For frost protection we use a fan heater set just above the actual frost setting and that has even last winter keft things from freezing though the boat was in the water. The fan heater is also good when living aboard and whilist freezing will not be a real problem this year (in the Algarve) it will come in handy for everyday heating.

At the momnet I am wondering whether to put antifreeze in the engine or not.

 

[johnalison]

I am ready to be shot down by and scientists around, but I think the power coming into a fan heater is converted into heat for the elements and kinetic energy for the fan. Sure, there is some heat from the fan motor, but the energy to spin the blades has to come from somewhere.
.

and the kinetic energy degrades into heat. The motion of the air molecules initially shoves it around and then gets dissipated as heat, which is in effect is the "lowest form of energy". This is also why you are not wasting energy by leaving lights etc. on during the winter, though you may be paying for it at a higher tariff.

 

[gasdave]

I've just got myself a 4' tube heater which I plan to leave on a thermostat (not decided yet what to set it at though) as my Plan A is to keep the boat in the water this winter. It's a double-skinned Sadler and the insulation appears to be rather good so I'm hoping this will be effective.

I'll also use one of those cheap crystal moisture absorber things as it seemed to work quite well on it's own last winter when the boat was out on hard all through the snow.

What I can't decide yet is whether to take the sails off. I know it's better for them but I'm thinking about those really nice days in December when a sail might not be out of the question! Is this stupid considering the boat's in the Forth?!

 

[aquaplane]

I'm leaving my 26' boat on the water and only draining the engine and water tank. Ok winter plumage includes sails, dodgers and spray hood off. Last winter there was ice in the cockpit and water in the bilge, a good heat sink is a lake.

I don't have access to 240V so heaters and dehumidifiers are OOTQ.

Last year, out of the water my old man's ship had a bust pipe, mine didn't, and I forgot to empty the water tank. He thought he had but the bit burried in the run to the head was copper and suffered. Took him a while and a loads of pain to run another pipe.

Do what you think is enough, and hope that it is. Or do more than enough and count the pennies you save, or loose.

 

[gasdave]

I'm leaving my 26' boat on the water and only draining the engine and water tank. Ok winter plumage includes sails, dodgers and spray hood off. Last winter there was ice in the cockpit and water in the bilge, a good heat sink is a lake.

I don't have access to 240V so heaters and dehumidifiers are OOTQ.

Last year, out of the water my old man's ship had a bust pipe, mine didn't, and I forgot to empty the water tank. He thought he had but the bit burried in the run to the head was copper and suffered. Took him a while and a loads of pain to run another pipe.

Do what you think is enough, and hope that it is. Or do more than enough and count the pennies you save, or loose.

Dear Mr Aquaplane,

I do hope you are not supersticious as this post is your number 666 :

 

[ChattingLil]

Am I missing something?

Had my boat 2 winters - kept in the water all year round. Never used any heating or dehumidifiers. (except those salt bag thingies) I leave the forehatch open on the crack and leave the hatch on the companionway cracked open too, so there is airflow. Not had any problems with damp, mildew or frozen anything.

First winter was in a marina so if I ever went aboard we'd put a heater on while tied up. Second winter was on a swinging mooring, so no electric so didn't ever have any heating at all.

Have I just been lucky? Am I tempting fate by even mentioning it?

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

We have fixed low wattage heaters in each cabin mainly to help reduce condensation and they have been good at that along with some ventilation. For frost protection we use a fan heater set just above the actual frost setting and that has even last winter keft things from freezing though the boat was in the water. The fan heater is also good when living aboard and whilist freezing will not be a real problem this year (in the Algarve) it will come in handy for everyday heating.

At the momnet I am wondering whether to put antifreeze in the engine or not.

"Always have antifreeze in the sealed cooling system of your engine wherever you are in hot or cold climes" is what I've been told. "The good quality antifeeze has rust inhibitors and will also aid cooling. When you winterise , even in hot climates, run antifreeze through your fresh water system too to help stop rusting and to keep cooling pathways clear".

True?

 

[maxi77]

"Always have antifreeze in the sealed cooling system of your engine wherever you are in hot or cold climes" is what I've been told. "The good quality antifeeze has rust inhibitors and will also aid cooling. When you winterise , even in hot climates, run antifreeze through your fresh water system too to help stop rusting and to keep cooling pathways clear".

True?

I noticed in our local Modelo they sell both antifreeze, and coolant.