Solid fuel stove- flue placement

[Kelpie]

I thought this had been discussed previously but can't find it.

Given the choice, where is the best place to position a flue for a solid fuel heater? I recal something about being in line with the mast but would like to know more before I break out the hole saw...

 

[Kelpie]

Bump!
Obviously this isn't a contentious enough issue to interest people :/

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Sorry, can't help.

FWIW I've often thought that, if you made all the lines external, a mast would make a very good flue pipe.

 

[Gordonmc]

The position of the flue is only significant if you intend using the stove under sail, in which case the down-draft of the genoa/foresail could force air down the lum.
The mainsail would not be an issue as air spills horizontally.
My flue exits the coach roof slightly aft of the main mast and to the Starboard side. With an overlapping genoa I would not be able to use it under way but as its venting a Taylors deisel stove I wouldn't want to sail with it on anyway.

 

[oldvarnish]

Can't see it makes much difference if you're only using it at anchor/ moored. FWIW, mine is about 6inches forward of the mast.

 

[Kelpie]

Well it would be great to be able to use it under way, although I accept there are limitations to that.
I've got a self tacker so hopefully a flue in line with the mast would avoid too much downdraft from either sail?

 

[Kelpie]

OK, after something of a delay I really mean it this time- the big drill is coming out some time in the next week.
Any other comments at all on flue placement? I'm concerned about this because when I installed a little charcoal heater in my previous boat, I had wicked downdrafts until I added about a metre of flue above the deck. I'd really like to avoid having to do that.

My choices are- right next to the mast, on starboard side, or about 2ft to port of the mast. In both cases, the flue would be slightly aft of the mast as well.
I'm currently leaning towards port (no, not literally) simply because I think a flue emerging very close to the mast would always be getting in the way on deck...

 

[NormanS]

OK, after something of a delay I really mean it this time- the big drill is coming out some time in the next week.
Any other comments at all on flue placement? I'm concerned about this because when I installed a little charcoal heater in my previous boat, I had wicked downdrafts until I added about a metre of flue above the deck. I'd really like to avoid having to do that.

My choices are- right next to the mast, on starboard side, or about 2ft to port of the mast. In both cases, the flue would be slightly aft of the mast as well.
I'm currently leaning towards port (no, not literally) simply because I think a flue emerging very close to the mast would always be getting in the way on deck...

I would have thought that one of the main determining factors would be the position of the stove below. Presumably you're mounting it on a bulkhead somewhere. I found that "cooley head" lum hats were better than "H" ones, for stopping down-draughts. You could always fit a grannie.

 

[prv]

FWIW I've often thought that, if you made all the lines external, a mast would make a very good flue pipe.

The Mollymawks considered using their mizzen mast as a dry exhaust for the engine, but realised that it would quickly corrode from the inside out.

Pete

 

[ribrage]

OK, after something of a delay I really mean it this time- the big drill is coming out some time in the next week.
Any other comments at all on flue placement? I'm concerned about this because when I installed a little charcoal heater in my previous boat, I had wicked downdrafts until I added about a metre of flue above the deck. I'd really like to avoid having to do that.

My choices are- right next to the mast, on starboard side, or about 2ft to port of the mast. In both cases, the flue would be slightly aft of the mast as well.
I'm currently leaning towards port (no, not literally) simply because I think a flue emerging very close to the mast would always be getting in the way on deck...

Dickinsons make a barometric damper for their heaters, mine didnt need it as the stack was the recomended height, but available on their website im sure , mine exits a meter to port and slightly forward of the mast, we dont fly an overlapped genoa as we are cutter rigged so dont suffer problems with deflected wind.

mostly its on at anchor rather than underway , we have had high winds "flicker" the flame but never enough to put it out, I have since this picture was taken , reduced the size of that cushion under it and fitted a "hearth" as there was some soot occasionally when cleaning the burner.

It takes some getting used to at night as from my bunk I get the shimmer of a flame reflecting off the varnish work , which is cosy but freaks me out seeing a "fire" on board lol

 

[Eyore]

Mine exits slightly forward of the mast, cant see it makes a huge difference. I found an H cowl was the only one that stopped rain leaking down into the stove, but its not usable when sailing as the sheets will catch.

 

[charles_reed]

Only 3rd hand, but some-one I sailed in-company with had a "Hot-Pot" burn-anything stove, and they said "never under the main". Apparently it discoloured the main even when the sail was stowed. But they burnt anything - including tar-soaked timber!!