We have a 30' Islander sailboat that we sail all year round in the Puget
Sound. I'm fine with the weather in the right clothes while my wimpy wife
doesn't like sailing in 40 degrees. Our bulkhead doesn't have room for a
Force 10 type diesel heater. We've used an alcohol stove (wet heat), a
portable propane heater (toxic) and the propane stove oven (costly.) I was
just about out of ideas that would keep my best sailing buddy warm.
Then, a buddy of mine was out with me for the last three days and he came up
with an idea. He suggested that I pick up a car/truck heater and plumb it
into the hot water heater system. It would provide heat while we're under
way and allow us to go below and warm up once in a while.
Has anyone else installed a system like this and did it work?
Dan

I would even be wimpy in 40 degrees with wind. Not all of us are easily
inspired by sailing in that type of weather.

May be share a sleepingbag and bottle of port ;-)
--
c ya Wim
www.cruising.ca/thousand/f-index.html


"Weathered Rose" wrote in message
nk.net...
: I would even be wimpy in 40 degrees with wind. Not all of us are easily
: inspired by sailing in that type of weather.
:
:

He suggested that I pick up a car/truck heater and plumb it
into the hot water heater system. It would provide heat while we're under
way and allow us to go below and warm up once in a while.


That's what small power boats have.

If you can find a stove you can live with, there is an old trick for heating
when at the dock. Put stove on low heat, invert a traditional terra cotta
ceramic plant pot and put it over the burner. It will heat up and radiate
nicely.

Henry.

Henry:
We heard about that approach too. We subsequently heard that the potential
for carbon monoxide and other nasty gases is too likely. It would be fine
with the companion way open so it remains an option...

As far as the 40 degree temps: it keeps most of the Stink potters in their
slips and we then have the Sound to ourselves. It really is fantastic
sailing and doesn't get that cold very often. It's usually a balmy 50 or so


Dan



"Henry" wrote in message news:_DhNb.96816$ts4.41405@pd7tw3no...

He suggested that I pick up a car/truck heater and plumb it
into the hot water heater system. It would provide heat while we're
under
way and allow us to go below and warm up once in a while.


That's what small power boats have.

If you can find a stove you can live with, there is an old trick for
heating
when at the dock. Put stove on low heat, invert a traditional terra cotta
ceramic plant pot and put it over the burner. It will heat up and radiate
nicely.

Henry.

"DB" wrote in message
...
Henry:
We heard about that approach too. We subsequently heard that the potential
for carbon monoxide and other nasty gases is too likely. It would be fine
with the companion way open so it remains an option...


Were does the CO ( & other nasty gases ) come from in what is hot water
radiator?
Only possible source I can think of is exhaust from the engine but we are
all risk limited exposure to this when motoring.

As far as the 40 degree temps: it keeps most of the Stink potters in their
slips and we then have the Sound to ourselves. It really is fantastic
sailing and doesn't get that cold very often. It's usually a balmy 50 or
so


Dan


JohnE

John:
I was referring to the "Flower Pot" cover over the propane burner producing
CO2. The hot water radiator would potentially avoid this problem and that's
why I'm exploring it.
We just lost a boating couple up here who turned on a propane heater and
went to sleep on the boat. They never woke up and I don't want join them
just yet.
Dan

"John.E" wrote in message
...

"DB" wrote in message
...
Henry:
We heard about that approach too. We subsequently heard that the
potential
for carbon monoxide and other nasty gases is too likely. It would be
fine
with the companion way open so it remains an option...


Were does the CO ( & other nasty gases ) come from in what is hot water
radiator?
Only possible source I can think of is exhaust from the engine but we are
all risk limited exposure to this when motoring.

As far as the 40 degree temps: it keeps most of the Stink potters in
their
slips and we then have the Sound to ourselves. It really is fantastic
sailing and doesn't get that cold very often. It's usually a balmy 50 or
so


Dan


JohnE

"DB" wrote in message
...
John:
I was referring to the "Flower Pot" cover over the propane burner
producing
CO2. The hot water radiator would potentially avoid this problem and
that's
why I'm exploring it.
We just lost a boating couple up here who turned on a propane heater and
went to sleep on the boat. They never woke up and I don't want join them
just yet.
Dan


I have to apologise as I missread the thread and was querying why an hot
water system would generate CO.

I am sorry to hear about your loss Dan.

JohnE

"DB" wrote in message
...
We have a 30' Islander sailboat that we sail all year round in the Puget
Sound. I'm fine with the weather in the right clothes while my wimpy wife
doesn't like sailing in 40 degrees. Our bulkhead doesn't have room for a
Force 10 type diesel heater. We've used an alcohol stove (wet heat), a
portable propane heater (toxic) and the propane stove oven (costly.) I was
just about out of ideas that would keep my best sailing buddy warm.
Then, a buddy of mine was out with me for the last three days and he came
up
with an idea. He suggested that I pick up a car/truck heater and plumb it
into the hot water heater system. It would provide heat while we're under
way and allow us to go below and warm up once in a while.
Has anyone else installed a system like this and did it work?
Dan

Neat idea. All I do is remove the engine covers and let it radiate into the
cabin area. However, I do a VERY LITTLE boat. 18ft over the deck!

JohnE

My question is: what heats your hot water? Your engine cooling
system? If so, why not? You could get some useful heat out of
it, while cooling off your tank, even with the engine off. If
your engine is running, even on idle, you would have a source of
heat you could use, or even if you use a seperate fuelled system
to heat your water. Please don't tell me you use a 12v battery to
heat your water.

Terry K

DB wrote:

We have a 30' Islander sailboat that we sail all year round in the Puget
Sound. I'm fine with the weather in the right clothes while my wimpy wife
doesn't like sailing in 40 degrees. Our bulkhead doesn't have room for a
Force 10 type diesel heater. We've used an alcohol stove (wet heat), a
portable propane heater (toxic) and the propane stove oven (costly.) I was
just about out of ideas that would keep my best sailing buddy warm.
Then, a buddy of mine was out with me for the last three days and he came up
with an idea. He suggested that I pick up a car/truck heater and plumb it
into the hot water heater system. It would provide heat while we're under
way and allow us to go below and warm up once in a while.
Has anyone else installed a system like this and did it work?
Dan

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