Opinions on the Sig Marine Balanced Draft Flue System

[cburger]

I am getting ready to move aboard my sailboat in January, not the best timing however no choice. I have been researching various brands of bulkhead diesel fueled heaters and have narrowed it down to the Dickinson Newport or the Dickinson Sigmar 170.

The Sig's balanced draft flue system has the advantage over the Newport by allowing the addition of an air intake flue to be connected to the bottom of the stove that allows combustion air to be drawn from the outside of the boat. The advantage in theory, being less chance of creating a negative pressure inside the cabin and reducing potential backdrafts, oxygen depletion, improved combustion etc.

The Newport is a much nicer looking heater that the Sig and the fireplace window would certainly be charming when there is a foot of snow on the cabin. Also many internet postings from cold weather live aboards that have been very satisfied for years with the single flue set up. The Sig looks like a big cheese grater. So the question is does the balanced draft feature increase the perfomance of the Sig so significantly that it trumps, the beauty, charm and warmth of the Dickinson Newport?