Wet v Dry diesel heating

[Trident]

I have used both wet to rads and blown air on my boats.

I have a 50 foot catamaran and currently find two 5kw blown air heaters are not quite enough to keep it warm on really cold days. I've insulated the pipework etc but its not enough. So I was looking at wet with radiators on a 15kw heater which has the advantage of more power and easier delivery to every part of the boat with small bore wet pipe. However, the down side is not dry air to keep down condensation (though I do have a good dehumidifier)

Does anyone know if the blown air heater matrices can be used to duct outside air in and dry it (I suspect they don't get hot enough) the way the blown air heater does ?

Alternatively I can swap out one of the air heaters for a water one and run both systems but for simplicity if I can make one thing do it all and keep the boat nice and warm no matter how cold it gets that would be best

 

[rotrax]

I used a long narrow radiator - domestic - under the setee berth plus a heated towel rail in the heads/shower and another in the galley.

No blown matrix's, just what you might use at home.

After switching the excellent Webasto thermotop on, thirty minutes later a calorifier of hot water and a toasty interior.

No problems with condesation as the heat from the radiators was dry.

Condensation from natural atmospheric humidity and human breathing always exists whatever heating one uses to some extent.

Our system was on a small boat, a GibSea 96, a 33 foot 3 cabin yacht. 15mm SpeedFit plastic tube and connectors was used.

After an hour in January you were getting too warm! Regulation was the problem, radiator thermo valves might have been the answer there.

A serious Senior Moment culminating in the purchase of our first Island Packet meant we only used the GibSea for one winter afloat.

 

[TernVI]

Alternatively you can get a combined air and water heater.
Dual Top Heating - PB Auto Electrics Commercial & Leisure Products

 

[pvb]

Alternatively you can get a combined air and water heater.
Dual Top Heating - PB Auto Electrics Commercial & Leisure Products

Your link says they're not available...

 

[pyrojames]

I have a Thermotop to rads throughout. I have some conventionally mounted, but have two flat under the v-berths forwards. The heating keeps the boat warm and dry, but it's an old timber 50', so smallish by modern standards.