Re: Cost for onboard heating
It cost me $24.00 per day in propane to heat my 43dc in 32deg weather the last 2 winters. I used 2 small propane heaters. I did not heat the V-bunk area.
BILL
Re: Cost for onboard heating
Rob,
not totally sure yet, as first fill could be tomorrow, but the floor and insulation is helping here. Damned cold too, might turn the temp down to 65 soon (or less)
Noel
Re: Cost for onboard heating
We use a 18,000 btu heater to get the cold out, then use (are you ready for this...) WEST MARINE'S electric heaters. One in the salon and one in the stateroom.
The Mr Heater is not expensive.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...7957_200307957
We use 30lb tanks using a 12' hose so as to keep the tanks in the cockpit. The downside is, The Admiral says there is a faint smell from time to time if we run it too long. (overnight is too long per her)
But the two tanks will last the entire winter as the cold weather here is short and normally not "cold" too long.... (Cold here is under 40 degrees)
We do have dual 16,000 reverse cycle ac/heat units. And untill the water temp gets too cold they are great. Most of the time the unit for the stateroom is too much which is why we use the West Marine units.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...2&classNum=543
Am guessing we have tried somewhere between 10-12 other electric heaters, none we were happy about but the West Marine ones have done the job. Even have several other liveaboards here using them.
Re: Cost for onboard heating
Charlie,
Yesterday below 40 was daytime up here. LOL
Noel
Re: Cost for onboard heating
I run heat about 3-4 nights per year. :) Mine is electric - reverse AC - and costs me nothing extra. Electricity is included in my slip fee which is a good thing because in the summer, I have 7 AC units running! Man, I don't miss the Great White North!
Yeah, yeah...this doesn't count...I paid my dues up north freezing my tail off in the winters, so I get to rub it in a little now. :D
Re: Cost for onboard heating
Dang Ang,
Must see the Sanctuary when i get south this January. As for heat, think about paying your dues with a warm floor in the am/pm :D . much easier to take :D
Noel
Re: Cost for onboard heating
I lived aboard a 43 Pearson MY for ten years in New York City. During that time, I found to heat the boat with diesel I needed about 330 gallons of fuel each year. During the 4th year I pumped foam into every wall and deck I could. This resulted in a savings of about 60 gallons per year.
I had also found the one place that most of the heat loss on board is the glass. So if you can for the winter or the coldest spells insulate the glass or at least some of it.
I can also tell you about another live aboard at Worlds Fair Marina. He left his boat for the weekend in December ’89, a cold month with many days below 30 degrees as the high. The boat heated with electric. In the absence of the owner the boat lost power and many water pipes burst.
It is for this reason I’m a fan of oil heat that uses DC power, i.e. Espar or Wabosto. I favor Espar, but recommend you get the product that has good service in your area.
With either of the above with reasonable batteries you can get by for several days without the dock power. I had 2 group 31 deep cycle batteries running a 28,000 BTU unit. This arrangement could run the boat’s heating system for 5 days starting with a full charge.
These units also lend them selves well to the live aboard environment. The size is right, forced hot air in a sometimes damp setting is helpful and both use a downdraft chimney. The 28,000 BTU unit I used had a 1” exhaust.
I still miss living aboard, I had to move ashore to start and raise a family. The funny thing is I now have the boat I always wanted because I lived aboard, 58YF, and I live on land. Gofigure.
JM
Re: Cost for onboard heating
Espars are okay, but I have found that they have more ignition problems than the Webasto. The Espars are expensive to repair too.
Re: Cost for onboard heating
You missed one, A Hurricane II heater from ITR which we use aboard. And I might not be burning exactly that amount it is still a fun time to refuel. As for Insulation, I am using the same as when I installed the radiant floor. As for the thought of electric going, guess what... They all need electric to run. Unless of course they start the generator.