cabin heater

[Mike244]

I've been looking at the Force 10 Cozy Cabin LPgas heater. For cooking I use an Origo 6000 alc. stove/oven so I don't have any propane on the boat . They list an adaptor that allows the use of the small camp stove propane bottles. It sounds like simple and safe to use as long as I only screw in the tank when I want the heater on. My boat is a 1965 Pearson Vanguard so space is problem for a real propane system unless the tanks stay on deck.

so, what do you guys think if using the little gas bottles. Also would mapp gas work better?

BTW: I found them on sale for $395 plus $42 for the conversion kit. good price??

thanks
Mike

[Sailormann]

I think it's fine. When you take the plastic cap off of the little propane bottle, hold on to it, as the cylinders sometimes leak when you take them off after using them, particularly if they are still half full. Store them outside the cabin.

[AjariBonten]

Originally Posted by Sailormann

Store them outside the cabin.

And upright. I know that this might be obvious; but a lot of people actually don't realize that LP gas is a liquid. In the event of a small leak in the valve closure you're more likely to notice the smell before a dangerous situation if it is leaking small amounts of gas (from an upright tank) than if it is forcing liquid gas (from a tank laying on it's side)

Fred

[sailingdog]

Store them outside, in a compartment that is vented overboard. One of the better storage solutions for 1 lb. propane tanks I've seen was made from PVC pipe and held three or four tanks, upright, and vented overboard. Cost to make it was about $10 from Home Depot.

[max-on]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Store them outside, in a compartment that is vented overboard. One of the better storage solutions for 1 lb. propane tanks I've seen was made from PVC pipe and held three or four tanks, upright, and vented overboard. Cost to make it was about $10 from Home Depot.

Just store it on deck??

[Valiente]

Originally Posted by max-on

Just store it on deck??

Hang it on a rail. The propane wants to go down, and will sink in air. It will literally roll down the deck and out the scuppers. If you get a propane leak inside a boat, you use a bucket to scoop the invisible gas out of the bilges...a comical sight, perhaps, but absolutely necessary.

Basically, if you have propane in a deck box, you can have a tube on the bottom going to a side deck. As long as it can't get inside the boat (or as long as you don't have smokers aboard), it's safe.

Also, get a bilge sniffer if you use propane.

I note you have an Origo stove. While propane has a lot of upside, the downside of having an explosive, heavy gas inside a boat spooks some people. Consider a diesel heater instead of a propane. You can then utilize a far larger fuel supply at hand that is inherently less flammable. This is not a knock against propane heat, but simply letting you know there's an option. Personally, I want a minimum number of fuels aboard, but it seems I carry diesel, gasoline, kerosene, paraffin and propane.

[sailingdog]

The PVC pipe is usually attached to a stern pushpit stanchion and situated outboard of the cockpit, so that any leaking propane will leak overboard, rather than into the cockpit.

I'd second having a propane sniffer aboard if you use any propane devices, as well as a Carbon Monoxide detector.

Diesel heaters are fine, if you have a diesel in-board... my boat doesn't...and it would mean carrying one more type of fuel, and one that is fairly problematic to store for long periods—with water and algae problems. Storing propane is far simpler for me, since I have to have it aboard for the BBQ grill and stove any ways.

Originally Posted by max-on

Just store it on deck??

[JohnRPollard]

Mike,

I installed a propane heater in our boat last winter. Although we already had a propane system for our stove/oven, I considered using the disposable tanks because leading a new propane line looked like it would be a real hassle - very long and circuitous.

However, after conferring with the manufacturer of the heater (Dickinson), they dissuaded me from using disposable cannisters. Two primary reasons: You still need to keep the disposable tank outside the boat, which usually requires temporarily running a fairly long line each time you plan to use the heater; and the limited "burn-time" of the disposable tanks would require that quite a few of them be kept aboard to get any serious heat from the unit.

That said, the folks at Dickinson indicated that some people do opt for the disposable cannisters. They also said that most people who do, end up later trying to make a proper installation with a larger tank after growing frustrated with the burn time of the disposables. (I ended up plumbing a propane line to our propane locker.)

If you have a diesel engine abaord, I like Valiente's suggestion to go with a diesel heater, since you don't already have a propane system.

By the way, if you decide to go with the propane heater, compare the Cozy Cabin to the Dickinson Newport. The Cozy Cabin is a nice little heater, but the Dickinson has some advantages. The Dickinson flame is in a sealed firebox, rather than open/exposed. The Dickinson has a "double-walled" chimney that serves both to pull air in from outside the boat for the combustion chamber and to insulate the interior exhaust portion of the chimney (which can get quite hot). It also has a built-in electric fan which helps to circulate the heat better. The Dickinson costs more, but might be worth the extra amount to you. We got our Newport P-9000 from Go-2-MArine for $540.

Good luck to you.

[Faster]

I'll second John's recommendation for the Dickenson Newport. The safety features, appearance, venting features, and the ambiance of a visible flame all add up to a very attractive and effective solution. Definitely worth the couple of hundred extra.... and the price includes all the flue/deck cap etc required for a standard installation.

[Maine Sail]

You WANT a SEALED combustion LP heater on a boat. LP gives off almost 50% moisture during combustion and without a sealed combustion unit like a Dickinson LP heater you'll get very damp inside your boat. Also the Force 10, I have one, sucks! I don't use mine because it makes the inside of my boat so moist that I have to open hatches which then defeats the purpose of a heater!!!!

Take it from someone who owns one and DON'T buy the Force 10. Spend a little more on a Dickinson P9000 and you'll be far happier with a dry heat which is what you want on a boat. Hamilton marine has good prices on them..

Here's a picture to prove I own a Force 10 and am not just bashing something I know nothing about. I know the hecklers on this site can be a rambunctious lot so the proof is up front...