Adding a heater to boat

[TurboTim]

Does anyone know where one can purchase some kind of heater that runs off engine coolant to heat my boat so I can start boating earlier in the year and later in the year?

[deblen]

Hamilton has several models as do most marine suppliers. Commonly known as Bus or auxilliary heaters. Bit heavy on amps-usually 5-7amps per fan.

Heater 28 000 Btu 12V Basic Kit with 2 Outlets

[El Pinguino]

I haven't done it myself but I know a few people who have bought car heater core thingos from auto wreckers and made heaters out of them..

Ones out of Lada's have been recommended to me.

[mstrebe]

Originally Posted by TurboTim

Does anyone know where one can purchase some kind of heater that runs off engine coolant to heat my boat so I can start boating earlier in the year and later in the year?

The most efficient way to do it is to burn diesel directly in the heater, so you don't have to run the engine to produce heat.

Here's a thread discussing it:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ter-70311.html

[Stu Jackson]

Like this, modified to suit your boat. Easy.

Cabin Heater - c34.org

[Schooner Chandlery]

Hamilton Marine is a good source for boat heating supplies. That reminded me that we've got a.pdf overview of Boat Heat you can download here. It's not detailed about specific heater installations but does give you a good overview of the choices available including heat exchangers.

We considered putting in an engine heat exchanger but ended up bogged down with the plumbing. Always something. At the moment we use a diesel bulkhead heater that works fine and a coal/woodburning stove if it's really cold and we're not underway. Yes, we carry coal--in plastic peanut jars kept in the bilge. A 2lb peanut jar filled with acorn-sized blacksmithing coal will run about 5 hours, cook a meal, and heat the boat nicely.

[jkindredpdx]

I'm sitting here snug as a bug with my solid fuel/wood burning stove. "Cole" brand (made in Seattle). Dickinson makes one too. I've settled into burning "Presto Logs" broken into 3" thick wafers. I've also burned wood pellets. Scrap paper is enough to take the chill off. There is no unpleasant odor and It's a nice dry heat that doesn't result in humidity issues like my neighbor's diesel heater does.

[Schooner Chandlery]

? What humidity from the diesel heater? Ours dries out the boat pretty similar to the wood/coal stove. The diesel heat vents outside, you don't experience the water (product of combustion) in the boat...

[deblen]

Canadian source of heaters,stoves & other marine supplies.
Prices in $CDN. Multiply x .70 for $US

2015 Stright-MacKay Ltd. Catalogue

[hpeer]

No mention of what kind of boat, sail or power, or size, or location, or how you use the boat.

All influence the decision.

Pot burners work great on big fishing boats with a crew.

Personally I like Espar forced hot air for many reasons.

[UNCIVILIZED]

You might reach out to Evans Starzinger, a member here. He & Beth Leonard have a Bus Heater listed as one of the favorite pieces of gear which they had on Hawk.
It was evidently a Heater-Craft engine driven heater (model 501-H-B) as listed here on their website Top Rated Equipment

[Schooner Chandlery]

Now you've got me wanting to put in that bus-type heater again, Uncivilized that's not civilized

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by Schooner Chandlery

Now you've got me wanting to put in that bus-type heater again, Uncivilized that's not civilized

Nah, I think what would be considered "uncivilized", would be "installing" a large Harem to keep you warm, in lieu of an electro-mechanical heater
And, FYI, if you need a Beta Tester for the former type pf "heater", I'll happily volunteer.

[NewMoon]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

You might reach out to Evans Starzinger, a member here. He & Beth Leonard have a Bus Heater listed as one of the favorite pieces of gear which they had on Hawk.
It was evidently a Heater-Craft engine driven heater (model 501-H-B) as listed here on their website Top Rated Equipment

FWIW, we have a similar (next larger) Heatercraft, which (when the engine is running) provides as much heat as we can use, on its lowest fan speed setting. Super simple, flawless for 17 years and 6500 engine hours so far. Far quieter than the "red dot" bus heater on my friend's boat.

[ColdEH]

I use these guys , lots of good stuff and great service .

Sure Marine Service, Inc. * Since 1972 * Webasto Marine Heating, Air Conditioning, and Galley Equipment

Regards