Solid fuel stoves - update

[Gordonmc]

This is a follow-up to a previous post regarding the use of solid fuel stoves on a wooden boat.
At the time of the posting I was in the process of fitting such a beast... bought from a PBO forumeer, and can now report.
The stove itself is a home-made SS box-shaped device which cleverly uses a cast-iron drain cover as a grate. Very much like the Bengco in style and dimensions. The deckhead flange is welded onto the flue (38mm) which was a straight drop to the top of the box. Unfortunately I had to modify the flue as it needed a longer drop and also had to detour round a porthole. The answer came in a metre of flexible stainless steel tube.
The weekend saw the first real use of the stove in anger.
Armed with a bag of charcoal and a bag of peat I got to the mooring just as the light was going. It lit first time and within half an hour I had the cabin nicely warming, this after the boat had been unattended for a fortnight.
The charcoal produced too much heat, even with the airvent shut, so I added a couple of the peat briquettes. A couple more went on before I turned in.
That night was foul with high winds, sleet and hail hammering down. The temperature outside was minus two with a high wind-chill.
While the temperature never got unbearable (I had a coulle of ports part-open) it was pleasant to get up in the morning without shivering. The best thing was that I had dry clothes to climb into... and I could get the damp out of my sleeping bag before rolling it up.
After a walk ashore with the dog and got back aboard for breakfast sitting in a T shirt in the cabin before I got the engine going for an oil change. The stove was still going with the remaining peat embers as I was packing to go ashore.
Sorry for the ramble... but I really was chuffed.
So was the dog!

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

Souds great - not too sure about using peat though!

 

[Superflid]

One of the best things I ever built for my boat. Warm and dry!

 

[Shuggy]

Hi Gordon - have you got any photos please? I'm looking for a very neat (size-wise) stove for my boat. Thanks - and your report has made me envious!

 

[tommccrorie]

Glad to hear you made it to the mooring at the weekend. Sounds like a nice little setup. Wish I could install one in Negresco but no room ! I'm going to have to go for calor - a Propex system. See you at Geordie's sometime.
Tom

 

[Kristal]

Yes, I was beginning to feel more than a little envious too by the time I got to the end of that post. I have long had a location for a stove in mind, and in order to encourage myself to overcome the temptation to use a marina and plug in the fan heater, I will give it serious consideration for next winter.

 

[tangomoon]

Somewhere on the net there are plans to build your own. It is about 8" high x 4" wide x 2" deep. Burns small scrpas of wood fits to a bulkhead. Know somebody who had one and he swears by it. In stainless and about £80 to make.

 

[Roach1948]

Re: Solid fuel stoves - Chimney

After a lovely February weekend on Mirelle, feeling the the Shipmate's very welcome warmth bellowing up the companion-way after (a freezing) row back from the pub, I too, am a convert.

A stove is the first thing on my list for next Autumn. The bulkhead space already being allocated and few things moved around on deck ready to take the flu.

One question I ask current stove users is how high a chimney above deck does one need? And what is the best design for a boat. Some have an H configuration, others a conical pine-cone shaped thing and I have also seen a hinged-hooded version.

 

[mclark]

Re: Solid fuel stoves - Chimney

I have had a stove in White Heather for the best part of 20 years. Mine is one of a pair made out of steel plate by the Uster based engineer and legend Joe Taylor (the other one went down with the loss of the Galway Hooker Connaught. I have always burned peat in mine, its clean to store and burns to a fine white powder. There is also a wonderfuil scent given off - although it can be an acquired taste.

This stove is one of the best pieces of kit on the boat and I would not trade it for the world.

Mike

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

Re: Solid fuel stoves - Chimney

No doubt peat is a good fuel, but I was thinking more ecologicaly than practically.

 

[mclark]

Re: Solid fuel stoves - Chimney

I can see your point on the ecology issue - but then whichever fuel you burn with the exception of biofuel perhaps there will be an ecological downside surely?

I salve my concience by reminding myself that I only consume a tiny amount - 20 blocks has lasted me close to 3 years.

 

[Mirelle]

Re: Solid fuel stoves - Chimney - height and shape

The height need not be much at all. Mine is far too tall due to my replacing the stove with a taller one and not getting round to lowering the stove platform to suit the new stove.

HW Tilman (who really needed a good stove on board!) used to sail with an assortment of chimney heads; I reckon from my own observations that the H shape (which depends, of course, on the venturi effect) is the best.