Heatercraft

[rossjo]

Has anyone installed a Heatercraft (or similar) heating system in their boat?

We boat year around, but it would be nice on 30-40 degree days (winter here in SC) to have some heat ...

Models:
http://www.heatercraft.com/category.aspx?categoryID=4

I'm looking at:

http://www.heatercraft.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=27

[gjrylands]

If I'm looking at this heater correctly it uses hot water from the engine as the heat source. The fans blow the air through a heater core, just like a cars heater. This means you only get heat while running the engine. Is that what you are looking for?
The hose input on the heater is 5/8. Depending on how far & how high above the engine the heater is located will determain how much water you get flowing through the heater. Will the water pump on the engine be enough to do the job, or will you need to install an auxilary pump?

[rossjo]

Yes, thats my need. I'm looking at a simple Thermatron Engineering unit with 12V pancake fans and do it all myself, but this would be the end result.

We don't have to worry about freezing the water tanks, etc. here in SC, but would like more heat on cool days ...

http://www.thermatroneng.com/products/730/index.html

I'm looking at a 731 (with 2ea. 12V pancake fans) under the steps ...

http://www.thermatroneng.com/products/7 ... l_731.html

[gjrylands]

This heater looks like just what you want. Since the heater will only operate while the engine is running the amp draw of the motor should be no problem. The output of the alternator will more then handle the load. I offen wondered why a cabin heater wasn't offered as a factory option.

I have a F36, and if yours F32 is like mine, there is an opening to the bilge under the steps. That opening should be sealed off so air being blown through the heater is not comming from the bilge. That way the cabin air will be recirculated allowing it to heat the cabin better.

You may also think about installing a relay in the fan motor circuit so it would only be powered while the engine is running.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[wowzer52]

Here in the Northwest most of the cruisers have red dot heaters in them which is the same as car heater. A simple 12 volt fan mounted on a heater core. In my F32 the hoses from the engine come through the engine room bulkhead and the red dot heater is mounted under the steps. Just an inline fuse between the switch and the fan. Simple and very efficient. I also have a marine propane fireplace mounted on the wall just forward of the bathroom door, very toasty and warm on snowy nights and freezing days on the hook fishing, my wife loves it.

[rossjo]

Is the Red Dot Heater a marine unit (stainless), or an automotive unit (aluminum)?

http://www.rdac.com/Pages/product_pages ... _unit.html

[wowzer52]

Red Dot heaters are marine add-ons and many manufacturers and dealers install them by request. They are also very easy to build-in to walls or bulkheads. The picture you have is exactly what I have had in all of my larger boats. With a two speed fan they are very easy to install and user friendly.