Trojan Boat Forum

Just starting a new topic to answer Heiner's question in Gettaway's '165 update' topic, without hijacking that topic.

Heiner - "Also your hatches are very smoothy - did you use new fiberglass ?? And what about that metal hose by the hatch above the dinette ?
What does it is for ?"


No new fiberglass per se, just 9 full days of gelcoat crack repair (ground to the base of the cracks which are in the fiberglass).

The 'metal hose' is the chimney for the Dickinson fireplace heater.

That's great David - never seen this before (but I'm still a bloody beginner).

That cracks in fiberglass we have also, so why not changing these hatches.
Detlef (the owner) is a very aesthetic guy. He loves clean lines like the F-32 outlines.

But the originally hatches are some (how to say it in english) stone in his shoe.

Will keep you informed about progress, also about the progress with our engines.

David - get a hug for your stand by
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Greetings - Heiner

I like the Dickenson David. Was it a huge PITA to install or was it pretty straight forward? Something like that would be very useful here in the Adirondacks for late season fishing. I'm sure you know the days I mean.

PITA factor not very bad. The amazing thing is it fits so PERFECTLY, right out of the box (see images).

Mount the unit with 4 bolts, cut the hole for the chimney, then cut the flex pipe to fit, and the unit is mounted in very short time.

Run 12v from a fuse at the helm. Easy.

The biggest PITA would have to be bringing the propane line from the flying bridge tank. I measured the run very carefully, then had fittings professionally installed on both ends of the propane hose (not expensive, and worth it in safety and aesthetics). You have to remove some interior for this step, and I'm about out of room for wires/hoses coming from upstairs, so that was kind of a hassle.

So you'll know, this model P9000 will not warm the entire boat from scratch at 35 degrees. It will however, keep the boat warm, after the boat has been warmed with engine heat. It's also a real crowd-pleaser to see the fieplace in operation. EVERYBODY comments on it.

I would actually like to also add a vented catalytic heat, like you see on all 26' Tollycrafts, just don't know where I'd put it.

wow - that propane heater is scary. Not sure the little fire extinguisher would be much help if any gasoline fumes came into the cabin.

Not getting into debate here because I think the idea of supplementary heat on a boat is neat. But I'm with Ross...propane is heavier than air.

If there were a propane leak (cracked fittings, lines, internal mechanics of the unit itself due to vibration) and the gas found it's way to an ignition source, say good bye to the boat and possibly anyone on or near it.

Just sayin'...

They're great little units if they're installed safely. Curious, does your insurance company know you have it on board? They're usually not crazy about propane devices in the cabin. Where do you keep your propane tank? If inboard, is it contained in an approved tank container? Do you have a solenoid valve hooked up in the supply line? Not being critical, just pointing out some considerations, but I suspect they would have been included in the installation instructions. And of course a propane/gasoline sniffer and CO detector in the cabin.

I think he stated his propane supply is on the fly bridge.

I was more worried about ignition/flame igniting gasoline fumes myself, but its USCG approved, and you need heat in Alaska, so ...

A little off topic, but ...
We had a customer on Lake Erie who wanted us to make a fully set of curtains for his T-Topless to surround the seat and center console on his Boston Whaler Montauk 17, so he could light his propane heater and stay warm trolling for trout out on the lake. We declined, since the tank is above deck under the seat and would vent into the area ... scary

Anyway - sorry to hijack your thread David. Stay warm!

Safety protocals are being followed.

Propane heaters in boats are not a new thing. They are in more than half (probably closer to 80%) of the boats in Alaska harbors. Unless the boat is diesel, and has a diesel heater, then it will most likely have propane heat. There are dozens of marine units to choose from.

rossjo wrote:We declined, since the tank is above deck under the seat and would vent into the area ... scary

No joke, here in Germany skipper are not so involved with that stuff and
we lost AFAIK 3 vessels and 2 came to death this spring

But I'm shure, Davids installation is waterproof - isn't it ?
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Greetings - Heiner

With all the booze I have stored on board, I wouldn't worry about a little propane heater!

HA HA HA

larryeddington wrote:I think he stated his propane supply is on the fly bridge.

I saw that but not entirely sure that the insurance company would consider that being overboard mounting if not in an approved container.

You're right David, this is nothing new, used in a lot of blow boats down here.

We put in a Dickinson oil stove after buying our F30. My dad insisted that we rip out the entire propane system on our boat - he said its not a matter of IF it will blow up, its a matter of when
He's been a tugboat captain here in Alaska since he was 13 (family business), so I trust his judgement. On the other hand, our other tugboat captain just put the same little propane heater you have on his little 20' glasply. He says if it goes off, at least he will die warm..sheeshh...