Calculating heating requirements on a boat

[eryka]

Originally Posted by zAr

Thank you everyone for your responses!


Anyway, I like the BTU calculator but I do wonder if having a hull sitting in cold water alters the variables a bit. On the other hand, isn't unfrozen subsurface water usually warmer than surface air temperatures in winter? Maybe iceaters and bubblers actually affect boat temperature? So much to consider!

Seems like we need a calculator specifically for marine use, taking into consideration more varied weather regions. Until then, experience is our guide.

We have a Webasto Airtop 2000 on a 33-footer in Maryland (that's faaar south to you) that we haven't had to turn up more than halfway over the last winter. Our boat doesn't have a headliner, either. Webasto's website had a primitive calculator to help size the product to your boat and location.

[zAr]

Once again, thank you everyone for your replies.

Also FYI, I found the most amazing resource with detailed information not only on winter liveaboarding for my size boat, but also the exact same area and climate:

A guideline for living aboard in winter

It details the heating requirements, electrical requirements, etc. Exactly what I needed.

[deryk]

On my last boat, a Watkins 27 my Dickinson Newport 9000 unit really didint work well in the New Jersey Winters, granted since then I learned toput a fan on the floor and point it upwards to move the air around. I was cold alot those winters.

This year I didnt have the funds to install the heating system I wanted on my Morgan 34 so I used kerosene heater, a simple 10,000 btu unit...kept a window open for venting...cost me about 15 dollars a week in kero and a 20 some dollar electric bill a month and was very warm.

Next year the Dickinson Lofoten diesel heater anywhere for 6700btu to 17kbtu... nice Im curious for next year, cause I plan on hooking it to my hot water tank for free hot water and add a radiator for extra heat at no extra cost.