Heater for Boat

B

buddywaters

New member
I bought a new 22 foot C Dory in March and have enjoyed t so much.

We have some really nice weather during the Winter here on the Pamlico River in North Carolina and I look forward to using the boat often during the Winter.

I am considering buying a small heater, specifically a Coleman Blac Perfectemp Heater with IN Technology. This unit is designed to put out 3000 btus, which seam adaquate for my small cabin. The cost of this heater is $70.95.

I would welcome any suggestions regarding a good heating system for my C Dory.

Thanks so much garlandwaters@cox.net.

my user name is Buddywaters
 
buddywaters-

Here's LINK to a review of the Coleman Black Cat Heater.

blackcatheater.jpg


We've seen this heater used before, and Oldgrowth Dave has one with a custom stand and a computer fan mounted on it.

heater2.jpg

The catalytic heaters are relatively safe, just be absolutely sure to meet the "6 square inches" open ventilation requirement mentioned in the article and instruction manual.

The danger is 1) from carbon monoxide poisioning which can occur in a closed space as the oxygen is depleted, and 2) simple asphyxiation from lack of oxygen.


If you wish, a carbon monoxide detector, RV style, can be had for about $65-$110 or so.

Joe.
 
dotnmarty-

Well, I'm no expert on the 16, for sure, but my usual recommendation is to find someone who has a really good set up and copy it. This is because the voice of experience is often wiser than the voice of logic due to problems unforseen by the latter.

On that note, I believe Dave (Oldgrowth) is very satisfied with his set up pictured in the above post. We'll hope he chimes in here soon. He'll be able to give us a first class evaluation of how the Black Cat matches up with the 16.

As to the Black Cat's projected suitability for the boat, I believe that all of the 16's with their canvas rear enclosures should find that satisfying the demand for 6 square inches of ventilaion should be an easy one.

Then too, a catalytic heater, like the Coleman Black Cat, would seem to be a good way to go on a boat the size of a 16 because it can be easily removed in the warmer seasons to preserve precious space.

The only remaining question would be whether the heater would put out enough heat for the smaller C-Dory, considering the rear canvas closure's suspected lesser ability to hold in heat. Only someone with real experience with it would know for sure, and the answer would also depend on where you were going to use the heater. There are big differences between Phoenix, Puget Sound, and Pewaukee, Wisconsin in the winter.

Hope This Helps!

Joe.
 
A voice of experience on the catalytic heaters here to say that they are fine unless exposed to wind or heavy draft. We get really really cold here in the winters and have found ourselves out duck hunting, etc., in the cold and sleet with the catalytic heaters blown out, or drafted enought that half the screen thing does not stay lit. John
 
I use the small "buddy" on my 16 and it works really well. Just have to leave the windows open about a 1/2 inch. Also crack the forward hatch. It will run you out after awhile. I actually bought the Black Cat first but was concerned about the heat being that close to the fiberglass so I took it back and bought the buddy. Guess I shouldn't have been concerned. The Black Cat takes up a lot less space. I carry the buddy against the hull in front of the passenger seat. Also use it there when I am alone, otherwise it sits in the cockpit when the canvas cockpit cover is on. Plenty of heat.
 
Thanks, Lloyds, for the comparison.

Looks like the Black Cat has a 3000 BTU output with a High and a Low setting, but I can't find out what the low setting is!!!

The Mr. Heater Little Buddy Portable Heater has a High setting of 9000BTU and a Low setting of 4000. It also has a oxygen depletion shutoff system, which I didn't notice with the Black Cat. It is a bigger unit physically, too. It has an optional kit to use a 5 gal tank with the hose from the kit.

Here are links to the manufacturer's product descriptions:


Coleman Black Cat: LINK






Mr. Heater Little Buddy: LINK

Joe.
 
Not to confuse the issue, but a third choice is available. the Zodi Forced Air Tent Heater, which heats the air externally from the tent/cabin (and thus has external venting) and supplies forced air to the enclosed space. This also has the advantage of your tent/cabin space not needing open window ventilation, which wastes part of the heat.

It's a larger, more complex unit, however, with a 10,000 BTU output, and requires much more space to operate. Might be more suitable for a larger boat. The apparatus looks akward, however,and would best be installed in a box or milk crate for easy handling and secure positioning. It lacks the sophistication of most marine cabin heaters. I'm listing it here for those with larger boats who are reading this thread with interest for application to their boats.

Here's a link to the manufactuers product page; LINK


And here's a link to the Zodi Forced Air Tent Heater and Hot Water Heater review by an Oregon outdoor news publication:LINK

Joe.
 
I've used the Coleman heater like the one pictured above (with the very ingenious home made fan option!) in both my '66 VW camper and my brother's sail boat. It produced enough heat that we got hot inside the camper during a cool fall night (40 F) and turned it off. We even placed it on the floor of the cockpit on the boat while we sat anchored in the San Juans and enjoyed some adult beverages. We were able to wear only shorts and light sweat shirts in comfort.
 
Perhaps I am overly cautious about CO and heaters, but as a physician I had the misfortune to see a number of CO poisonings thru the years.

Aeromedix makes a much better CO detector than the usual RV/marine units--designed for cockpits of general aviation craft. A bit more expensive at $129--but much more sensitative, and gives actual values, as well as cumulative.

http://www.aeromedix.com/ Click on the CO detector--and read the two articles under the description.

Regards,

Bob Austin
 
thataway":gx7jc4ab said:
Perhaps I am overly cautious about CO and heaters, but as a physician I had the misfortune to see a number of CO poisonings thru the years.
Click to expand...
Aeromedix makes a much better CO detector than the usual RV/marine units--

OK Bob,
I bit on it. My boat will soon be equipped with the CO detector you recommended. Now I will rest in peace :xlol while I run the Honda Gen.
 
buddywaters – sorry about not responding to this post earlier but I have been out of the loop here for the lasts week.

I have the Coleman heater Joe supplied the photo link to. It does a very good job of heating our 16’ cruiser with the camper back on and the temperature down into the upper 30’s. I place it in the middle of the deck facing forward. The computer fan puts out just enough breeze to circulate the heat throughout the boat. Everything comes apart for easy storage.

I have another photo of the fan assembly in my Boat Projects album. The link to the photo is HERE
 
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