Mainship Pilot 30 cabin Heat options after hours

[Mainship Pilot]

Could this be an option ? Park it outside, run the hose inside the cabin and you will have heat.

diesel heaters - Google Search

An interesting idea, especially since the Amp draw is less than 1 amp after start up, he say's 10-20 watts after start up, which is very managable, even thru a USB connection.

 

[Mainship Pilot]

I just reread this thread from start to finish. Apparently the OP hangs out off of Catalina Island and wants to stay warm overnight. When I lived in SoCal a number of years ago, I too hung out off of Catalina summer or winter (well not in Jan-Feb).

I never felt the need for heat in the evenings or overnight, only in the early morning before the sun warmed things up. So I used a propane radiant heater that I ran for an hour or so each morning. Worked great.

Let me reiterate, I would never sleep overnight with an unvented propane, kerosene or diesel fired heater. Too much chance of CO poisoning.

That leaves three options for safe overnight heat: a wall mounted heater like the Newport, a forced air heater like the Espar, or the portable but vented Chinese diesel fired heater. I like the Newport best.

David

David, If you want to use your boat year round here, it definitely get's cold at night, probably not to NE standards, but uncomfortable would be a better word, to the point where it's not fun. A simple heating solution could make that experience more enjoyable, that's all.

 

[Marco Flamingo]

My first vote would be for a down comforter. Get a good one (maybe $200).

 

[C lectric]

I use a Dickinson stove, Pacific, which is a mid sized diesel fed stove. We have had the boat since 1985 and used to go out in winter, ice and snow regardless. I would start the stove on the way home from work and wait around for 20 minutes or so to ensure it keep running and do some adjustments. After that interval there was no chance it would go out.
We no longer winter boat but still use that stove regularly when we are out. Only time it is shut off is when the ewather is hot and then we use our Origo stove.

Dickinson also produce other heaters which are free standing so take a look at their lineup. We know people who use the freestanding units in their boats also. THe freestanding units are better at heating of separated living areas. but are also excellent for heating the boat interior away from the cooking and main living areas.
Several folk I knew had two Dickinsons. One the cookstove like ours, the other smaller and better suited for a sleeping area.

Take a look at least.

Once started they will go for as long as you supply fuel. I used to take the 5 gal jug onto the bridge, where the tank is, and refill in cold weather about once weekly. No reason you could not carry several 5 gal jugs.

I have just finished installation and wiring to operate a Carter fuel pump to refill the stove tank. I learned last year that I can no longer deal with 5 gal jugs getting them on the bridge so refill from the mains and use those jugs to refill the mains.

 

[SteveK]

Anyone use on of these?

Comfort With Safety in Mind​

The Cross Thread Protection System, oxygen depletion sensor and tip-over safety switch keep you safe and warm.

I would not use a propane burner inside, just asking for trouble. It uses oxygen, your oxygen. Get a unit that has an outside exhaust. Even the cheap China knockoff diesel units are safer.

 

[Marco Flamingo]

We had Dickenson diesel stoves for years on a boat and in a yurt. Combined with a Peltier fan it was heaven, although it took an hour to get to "socks off" temperatures in the winter. The Chinese diesel heater takes half the time, but requires electricity.

Dang, I'm sure I paid about $125 for my first fan.