Heating: Water or Forced Air?

[nedmin]

I have a Webasto 9kw diesel water heater, heats domestic as well as radiators and is absolutely brilliant.much better than with previous hot air system.Heats rads to temperature in under 10 mins and once warm they keep temperature very stable without draughts, plus you have hot water at any time.

 

[SailBobSquarePants]

Well then...

Thank you all for your feedback and experiences. In the end analysis, I can DO without the hot water, but the ease of plumbing the hot water pipes forward seems much easier than trying to get hot air ducts run. I could even run the pipes forward under the cabin sole all the way forwards, and scavenge the radiator fan power from the fore berth interior light circuit, or even take it off the forward battery for the bowthruster.

So I just need to put this on my Christmas list then...

http://www.mikuniheating.com/index.php?p=product&id=179&parent=53

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Quick point - if you are simply simply re-circulating heated air you won't really dry the boat out - you'll raise the amount of moisture the air can hold which will allow water that has condensed out on to surfaces to evaporate back into the air again. As soon as the temperature drops that moisture will condense out again.

You'll need to ensure you exhaust the warm air to the outside and bring in dry. cold air from outside and heat that if you want to permanently remove moisture from your boat. But I'm sure you all knew that anyway....