Tubular Heater

[TiggerToo]

I am thinking of installing a tubular heater as a frost prevention kit for next winter.

Where would you recommend to fit it?

My first thoughts are: somewhere in the saloon, but out of the way from knocks when underway (alternatively, just assemble it when laid out ashore). How about under the chart table, high enough to be out of the way from bracing feet?

Any immediate thoughts from those with experience?

Any "nonos"?

 

[Tranona]

I have a 135w one of these seagogroup.com/products-leisure/tube-heater and just rest it on the saloon cabin sole on its brackets. It could easily be mounted on a berth front. Also run a dehumidifier a couple of time a week.

 

[Refueler]

I have water based heating running along the main cabin seating .... all disconnected from the LPG powered heater ... Because the 'radiators' are faced with nice teak boards - I can fit tube heaters along underneath.

I have considered removing the boards and the radiators behind .... but the amount of work would be significant and I don't really want to destroy the finish. (Yes I know cabin sole needs sorting !)

Without those - I would look at installing fashion boards to avoid feet kicking the tubes along the bunk bases ...

 

[lustyd]

When I used one I put it on its stand on the floor when at home berth and away from boat. If I were fitting one it would probably be in the engine compartment to protect the engine. The heat from this would then still make its way out to the wider boat (AWB with engine under companionway).

I find the little pots of desiccant dehumidifier more effective overall. One in each locker keeps the moisture away from most of the hull.

 

[[70521]]

@TiggerToo if you are in the same marina when we last spoke. So far this winter I the lowest temperature I've recorded was a rather chilly +4°C with a Victron Smart Battery Sense. There was a hoarfrost on deck when I opened the hatch that morning!

 

[Refueler]

When I used one I put it on its stand on the floor when at home berth and away from boat. If I were fitting one it would probably be in the engine compartment to protect the engine. The heat from this would then still make its way out to the wider boat (AWB with engine under companionway).

I find the little pots of desiccant dehumidifier more effective overall. One in each locker keeps the moisture away from most of the hull.

See my thread about the bathroom towel rail heater I mounted in the engine compartment of my MoBo ...... 80W ..... has never let it drop below +5c even when -7C outside ....

 

[Boathook]

I've got tubular heaters mounted on some ply sitting on the floor. Two 120 watt ones are on all the time and two 240 watt ones are on thermostats so they come on when the temp drops below 5C. Being a "cat" I need that number to have 2 in each hull !

This is the first year I have run the heaters when not on board, but it does seem to have kept the boat dryer which was the aim of leaving them on.

I dreading the electric bill from the yard though.

 

[TiggerToo]

@TiggerToo if you are in the same marina when we last spoke. So far this winter I the lowest temperature I've recorded was a rather chilly +4°C with a Victron Smart Battery Sense. There was a hoarfrost on deck when I opened the hatch that morning!

Hi, no I am at Mayflower but I am making plans to move to ScorchingScotland over the summer and to leave Tigger there for a while. I have been advised that having one of these tubes (coupled with the dehumidifier on a timer) is the way to go.

So far, overwintering in Plymouth in the water, the dehumidifier has done wonders to keep the cabins mould free. It's been a huge improvement over the years.

 

[NormanS]

My boat is ashore in a yard in Scotland. It's very sheltered from the wind, but can often be a frost hollow. Earlier this winter, the sealoch on which it's located, froze enough to prevent access to boats on the moorings. I have a 120w tube heater down in the engine compartment, supplied from a thermostat socket. All OK.

 

[[70521]]

Hi, no I am at Mayflower but I am making plans to move to ScorchingScotland over the summer and to leave Tigger there for a while. I have been advised that having one of these tubes (coupled with the dehumidifier on a timer) is the way to go.

So far, overwintering in Plymouth in the water, the dehumidifier has done wonders to keep the cabins mould free. It's been a huge improvement over the years.

If moving to the best sailing grounds in the known universe, I know I am bias, then a heater would be a good investment.

 

[Refueler]

I've got tubular heaters mounted on some ply sitting on the floor. Two 120 watt ones are on all the time and two 240 watt ones are on thermostats so they come on when the temp drops below 5C. Being a "cat" I need that number to have 2 in each hull !

This is the first year I have run the heaters when not on board, but it does seem to have kept the boat dryer which was the aim of leaving them on.

I dreading the electric bill from the yard though.

The yard my 38 is in ... has a blanket ban on any heaters / de-humids ... basically any electrical items that draw significant power. The yard fees are block fee inclusive and no separate electric bill. I know the Boss reads the meters ... and would know straight away if anyone tried.
Water and electric are incl in the fee but based on use for jobs not steady draw.

 

[Baddox]

I am thinking of installing a tubular heater as a frost prevention kit for next winter.

Where would you recommend to fit it?

My first thoughts are: somewhere in the saloon, but out of the way from knocks when underway (alternatively, just assemble it when laid out ashore). How about under the chart table, high enough to be out of the way from bracing feet?

Any immediate thoughts from those with experience?

Any "nonos"?

Most of the tube heaters don’t give out much heat, no more than a lightbulb would. So you need to place the heater somewhere near the thing that you are trying to keep frost free. I use one in the engine bay which is well insulated. It is controlled by a frost thermostat which can be set between about 0 and 5’C to only come on when needed.