On Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:35:58 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:13:51 -0500, CaveLamb
wrote:

In all seriousness, they are very efficient at quickly heating things,
and for you propane and alcohol users, provide an alternative way of
cooking if the fuel runs out.


I think you got that last part backwards, Wayne.
The alcohol or propane will still work long after the batteries are dead.

I've been on boats that ran out of propane for various reasons, not
good for crew morale.

I view batteries as a renewable resource as long as the engine and
diesel fuel hold out. Our trawler is an "all electric" boat - no
stove fuel of any kind. I've come to appreciate that when I see
people schlepping various stove fuels in their dinghy or trying to
find the right adapter in a foreign country.

I think that there is a different mind set in the two types of boats.
Sail boat people all seem intent on saving electricity; trawler people
don't seem to give a hoot and have ice makers and all kinds of helpful
things.

I have a friend, has a 55 ft. ferro-cement ketch - 125 HP engine (and
a small gasoline gen set) and is forever saving electricity. He has a
separate inverter, sized for the usage, on every AC appliance in the
boat, LED lights that are too dim to read with, and is forever
worrying about amps. AND, he has an engine powered freezer and
refrigerator which he uses on trips....

I also know a motor boat guy that has all AC except for the radio and
nav lights. 150 HP engine (and no gen set :-)

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)