heat and internet - Page 3

KasbeKZ · #21 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008

thanks for all that. i have seen a few heaters that advertise dry heat. they seem pretty expensive. i'm leaning on the electric oil filled heaters right now, because my plan in the winter will be to just stay in the library at school and just go back to the boat in the evening, and after the bike ride back home to the marina, i don't think that a 20-30 minute wait for heat will be too bad, cause i'll still have my warm clothing on. maybe a fan on it would help a bit. my main concern i guess is just getting one that gets too hot and sucks too much fuel for the size of the boat. i'd rather be undersized.

these ceramic heaters... i think i saw them for camping right? they looked well priced, and use the very small disposable propane tanks? they look pretty good. the worry that i have about them is that propane fumes must be being released into the boat right? everything else i see that burns anything at all is rigged to be hooked to a chimney. i don't want to suffocate! how do you handle this?

and don't worry, i know i'll be taking the boat out plenty. there is some pretty good sailing water around here.

marinegirl405 · #22 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008

OK. It seems you are living at the dock - so you don't need world wide access for your internet. We have a Sprint Plan ($60/month) and have travelled extensively in the NE of the USA (Norfolk, to Maine). Unlimited minutes are included, and also ROAMING is included - so if Sprint does not have coverage in an area, you can still hook up as long as some provider is available. We have a sat phone with data hookup for when we are off shore, but that is both expensive and very slow.

As for heat - I would agree, go with electric. I lived on a 30' mono-hull for several years at the dock. Mostly used just one small electric fan heater, occasionally 2 in really cold weather (Norfolk, VA). Electric bill never more than $30 a month - mostly under $20 in winter, and under $10 in summer (no power water, refrigeration or AC). I would also invest in TIMERS so the heater can come on before you plan to get out of bed, and have the boat toasty warm for you. For this reason you either need to invest in a heater with a built in timer (expensive) or a cheaper heater with a dial type ON/Off & heat setting (not digital), and a simple timer at the electrical socket.

Another good investment is an electric blanket.

Also - assuming you are on 30A shore power, you may find that one heater on (certainly 2) may trip out once you load the system with any other power hogs - e.g. hair dryer, kettle. You'll have to work out what you can use, and turn the heat down, or be prepared to move things around (if your electrical system is split port and stbd outlets. In our boat each outlet was rated for 15 Amps, but each "side" would only take a 20A load - only you will know (or find out) about your boat.

Have fun, stay warm :-)

marinegirl405 · #23 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008

I don't see any reason to use the small propane camping heaters on your boat. They will add moisture to the atmosphere (serious condensation issues - water is a byproduct of propane combustion - living aboard in the winter you really don't want to be adding to your moisture problems). Also you will constantly be having to purchase new fuel canisters (each one does not last long) - you also have to find somewhere safe to place it when in use..

Electric fan heaters I think are the best if you have a small boat at the dock. I would much prefer the electric oil filled radiators (safer if they get knocked over) but I really doubt you have the space for one aboard. The small electric fan heaters (have a ceramic plate which helps retain the heat), and much easier to find floor space for on the boat during use, and later to store in the summer months.

marinegirl405 · #24 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008

Last post (honest). YOu can get the electric fan heaters with a trip switch - so if it does get knocked over (you trip over it, or a wake hits you) it will cut out and not set fire to the boat! Most come wtih one, but check the box.

Also - as for the Sprint card (or others of this type). I like it as I can take it on the road - actually I'm writing this message to you from full speed from my car on the back roads of Virginia (I'm not driving!). Our marina offered wifi, which would have been good if it worked, but was never reliable. If you are a student, such a card is just great to carry with your Laptop wherever you go (vacation, family visits, boat, etc). You can even sign up to Skype and make international calls with it (speed is good - I regularly use this to keep in contact with my husband when he is working abroad)

OK - I just can't help rambling - but no more posts. (For now)

KasbeKZ · #25 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008

where did you get your electric fan heaters? i guess the same timer that are used for christmas lights would work?

thanks for all the response. it's good to hear some people make it sound easy. i'm always hearing the hard parts of it from my dad because he used to live on a very old wooden chis craft and it wasn't insulated at all, and this was back in the day when VA creeks would freeze over. it sounds to be not quite so bad now, and not so bad on a smaller fiber-glass boat.