Portable Gas Heaters

davidpbo

Well-known member
Joined
14 Aug 2005
Messages
4,879
Location
Boatless in Cheshire. Formerly 23ft Jeanneau Tonic
myweb.tiscali.co.uk
We would like to have some occasional heating in the cabin of our boat (23ft) and saw this portable heater. Problem is we don't have a vented locker to store it in when not in use. Would the cylinder in this contain enough gas to cause an explosive mix or suffocation in our cabin if it was stored inside the boat? The cabin is open plan and there are no bilges only lockers under seats and a gap of 2" at most under the sole plates in the centre.
 

BAtoo

New member
Joined
1 Mar 2004
Messages
2,056
Location
East Coast
Visit site
As the heater will lat for 2-3 hours then yes plenty of gas to fill the boat; your whole boat up to the bottom of your lowest opening to air (main hatch?) is the "bilge" in this respect as it will hold the gas ready to suffocate or explode.

How about an oil lamp which will provide light & a surprising amount of heat - but they still need ventilating properly to avoid CO.
 

heerenleed

New member
Joined
13 Mar 2002
Messages
535
Location
Netherlands
www.heerenleed.com
[ QUOTE ]


How about an oil lamp which will provide light & a surprising amount of heat - but they still need ventilating properly to avoid CO.

[/ QUOTE ]
Or the Origo meths heater. I had it on a small wooden yacht years ago. Works a treat. Even boils a kettle if you want. Much safer and the fuel is easy to get almost anywhere. Click here for the Origo assortment.

cheers
 

Robin

Well-known member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
18,070
Location
high and dry on north island
Visit site
I might be wrong but I think the gas cartridge this heater uses is one of the more expensive ones which can be removed and replaced when still holding gas and yet is disposable when empty. These are commonly used on gas lanterns and BBQs. If this is the case you could just remove the gas cannister and find somewhere to stow that. We have some of these cannisters on board for a gas lantern and backup for the BBQ and keep ours in the gas locker, but they could always be left perhaps in a strong plastic bag somewhere suitable outside for the few weeks you might need to use them each season. I believe too that Magma BBQs have an accessory bag that velcros on the pushpit rail or similar and holds maybe 3 cannisters, I would guess it costs double the price of the heater mind..

That said, gas heaters will cause condensation, so plenty of ventilation is needed! We use a catalytic gas heater if needed early/late seaon when we aren't on shorepower and it is fine, but that is on a bigger boat and with plenty of ventilation. We have an Eberbroken but never use it these days, preferring the fan heater if plugged in and the catalytic if not.
 

Tomsk

New member
Joined
19 Apr 2004
Messages
312
Location
Boat: Fylde Coast, Home: West Yorks
Visit site
I do hate posts like these... I paid £29 for mine from Argos :-( ....

I can confirm however that they do use the more expensive self sealing and removable canisters. I always remove mine and store it in the gas locker when not in use, though as stated they only run for 2 or 3 hours so generally get used in one session...

I would much prefer not to have any gas onboard at all but for this year finances dictate...

I do find that they heat my 26 footer suficiently that I need the forward hatch open to cool down along with weather boards, so plenty of ventiliation. They also seem fairly sturdy and don't fall over with the rocking of the boat!
 

Fire99

Well-known member
Joined
11 Oct 2001
Messages
3,652
Location
Bangor NI
Visit site
I bought a portable gas heater from a camping shop which uses the disposable gas canisters (aerosol type) (about 4 for £5 or £6) and is certified for indoor use. For my 23ft shetland it works great and each can gives 2 or 3 hours flat out. In the middle of December this was enough to make the cabin like an oven.. (even with ventilated cabin doors)
Permanent cabin heating on my boat seems a bit excessive and these are fine IMO for occasional use.

rgds,

Nik
 
Top