insulation for winter liveaboard

[rmeador]

As I begin moving my stuff aboard my boat, it occurred to me that if I'm going to insulate, I should probably do it before I fill every space with my stuff

I'm thinking I'm going to only insulate the lockers/storage areas, basically everything that is closed off and out of sight. I have no intention of insulating the overhead or the outer walls that are exposed to the main living space. I'd like to make a permanent installation, not something I take out in the spring. Obviously the insulation needs to be flexible so it can conform to the shape of the hull.

What kind of insulation would you suggest? What kind of adhesive would you use to attach it? Do you think I should wait to install insulation until after I've had my espar system installed (avoids possibility of it being damaged during the espar installation), or should I do it before hand (easier access to tight spaces)? Thanks!

[QuickMick]

One other thing to consider the the engine compartment, i found that there was some air creeping in through the lazzerettes and venting into the cabin... i didnt put anything other than decrotive fabric on the hull walls and it has been fine, but in TX it doesnt get too cold.

[MedSailor]

Originally Posted by rmeador

As I begin moving my stuff aboard my boat, it occurred to me that if I'm going to insulate, I should probably do it before I fill every space with my stuff

Packing every space with crap IS insulation.

I've used both the mylar bubble wrap stuff (available at home depot) and commercial refrigeration insulation (rolls of closed cell foam) both with good results. I used a staple gun to install it into my headliner (plywood) and then stapled up some fabric to cover hide it. Worked well, but don't use staples that are too long.

MedSailor

[killarney_sailor]

I think I would do it after the Espar is intalled since it will change the shapes of some of the insulation panels. Also, insulation is not as necessary in the compartments where the Espar ducts go - we found these to always be toasty and completely dry.

We wintered (2 years) in NYC) - a bit warmer than Boston and only insulated with the aluminum foil bubble wrap stuff (cheap!) held in place with shrink wrap tape and it seemed to work quite well. We seemed to be the warmest and driest boat on our dock. Originally we were going to take it out when we went south but we left it in place since it does provide a bit of a resilient surface.

[St Anna]

Jeez, I cannot fathom how you blokes can handle the weather in your winter. We wintered in the Whitsundays & I found that cold - Hell, I even had to find a jumper (I had been given a present of a raw wool jumper, sent from Eire)