Electric heaters during the winter

[Babacoc]

This will be our first winter with Whoa Nellie!, a 31’ RT. We will keep her at our dock in Deer Harbor and hope to cruise as much as good weather permits.

Our question is about heaters for the boat while at the dock. Recommendations for makes and models please!

Thanks!

Barbara and Art

 

[JeffreyAC77]

We have an R31 and keep it in Lake Union. The only prep we do for winter is keep fuel tank full when not in use for long periods (also treat fuel with Sta-bil) and have a True North Space electric heater on the floor next to the helm. This has worked fine although the boat has never been in iced water and is primarily in fresh water.

 

[dbsea]

This will be our first winter with Whoa Nellie!, a 31’ RT. We will keep her at our dock in Deer Harbor and hope to cruise as much as good weather permits.

Our question is about heaters for the boat while at the dock. Recommendations for makes and models please!

Thanks!

Barbara and Art

For at the dock while cruising or when not using the boat? I’d recommend this guy in either case:

Xtreme Heaters Boat, Cabin & RV Heater | Overheat Protection, Tip-Over Protection, Portable Heater | Boat Heater, RV Bay Heater https://a.co/d/5OQNdDL

You can use your diesel heat, but if you’re at a dock while cruising and paying for power, might as well use electric. For at home, I just set it to freeze protection.

 

[Bruce Moore]

We used a De'Longi sealed oil heater on our last two boats. Kept it in the forward berth (lowest finished space in then cabin). Good temp management, safety features, and it doesn't cycle excessively.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[American Flyer]

https://www.boatbilgeheaters.com/produc ... -hornet-66

This in the bilge. The only electric heater I could find that is certified for use near explosive fumes and water. Multiple redundant operation (dual independent fans, heating elements, and thermostats). Made in the US, simple operation, and reasonably priced.

A simple small electric in the head that circulates throughout the boat and a dehumidifier under the table. $29 a month to run. Cheap insurance and the boat smells fresh, not musty or damp.

 

[Firepara36]

I use a Bilge Heater and a cabin heater and a large dehumidifier that drains direct in galley sink.

 

[YukonRon]

We keep our boat in the water at Ladysmith, BC all year. We use it in winter too.
We have the Caframo Pali Engine Compartment heater in the bilge as it is certified safe for ignition protection.
https://www.caframobrands.com/9510cabbx.html
In the cabin we use the Caframo True North Space heater set on the lowest "Anti-freeze Setting"
https://www.caframobrands.com/9206cabbx.html
Other than that we just pump the tank empty, run all the taps dry (hot and cold), leave taps open and the pump off.
I also run the outside lines dry as much as possible for the transom shower and washdown. Future project is to install shut-off valves to any lines running out of the cabin area.
So far so good. (Fingers crossed)

 

[SJI Sailor]

Our plan is exactly the same as Yukon Ron's and has worked with no problems for 4 winters in the PNW so far. Here is the engine room heater we use and like, if perhaps overkill: https://www.boatbilgeheaters.com/

I should say we had one problem: when it hit 15-20F for several days in the San Juans last year, we accumulated exterior ice due to a rolly marina, and that apparently blocked the bilge thruhull with ice and killed the pump. Not much to do about that except moor elsewhere, I guess. Luckily that's a very rare set of conditions around here. And it was probably time to replace the pump anyway.

 

[briandunnington]

When ya'll run these electric heaters, do you run them off of the inverter via shore power, or just use an extension cord from a 110v land-based outlet?

 

[SJI Sailor]

From the charger/inverter in our case. We leave it on to top off the battery, run fridge, etc., since we do a lot of winter boating.

 

[YukonRon]

We leave the inverter/charger on charge mode to keep the batteries topped up. The shore power passes through to the 110 outlets for the heaters. Check your charger specs for a pass-through mode or at least a setting that will prevent draining the batteries if the shore power fails. You don't really want the inverter working to turn 110v shore power into 12v charging the batteries, then inverting the 12v back to 110v to run the heaters.

 

[MsChief]

Hello Art and Barbara,

We use the Pali heater in the bilge / engine room on my Cutwater 26 for freeze protection, and run a cheaper small plug in electric heater with tip over control in the forward berth set to really low thermostat to keep the boat from getting that funky musty thing going on here in PNW winters. I'd be happy to show you next time you're in West Sound. I don't know about the Ranger 31 engine room layout, but on the Cutwater 26, I run the Pali's really long power cord from the engine compartment over the engine to a small round hatch inside the cabin that gives me access to adding engine coolant to the Volvo D3 engine. I then run that cord up to the outlet by the kitchen sink. That serves two purposes, one it is a tidy way to run the power cord while keeping the outside engine hatch closed, and two it is a great visual reminder that there's a power cord under there to be unplugged and stowed before we go underway in winter. It is small and easy to store in the Spring.

The Pali is expensive (like over $200 now) but safe and easy to use. No settings - you just plug it in, and it has a green led light so you know it is powered on and working. I have 3 of them here on the farm and boat. Turns on when temps drop below 45F and off when it warms the space to 60F. It sucks cold air in from both sides and pushes heated air out thru the center vents. See: https://www.amazon.com/Caframo-Engine-C ... B00MEMRGZE

Laura & Neris

 

[Chimo]

Hello Art and Barbara,

The Pali is expensive (like over $200 now) but safe and easy to use. No settings - you just plug it in, and it has a green led light so you know it is powered on and working. I have 3 of them here on the farm and boat. Turns on when temps drop below 45F and off when it warms the space to 60F. It sucks cold air in from both sides and pushes heated air out thru the center vents. See: https://www.amazon.com/Caframo-Engine-C ... B00MEMRGZE

Laura & Neris

We have the Pali as well and like it because of the ignition protection. I have thought that it would be better if the range 45-60 could be adjusted downward. No need for an engine room to be at 60. Any idea what your monthly electricity costs are?