[pdqaltair]

As Mike says, how much heat do you want?

Personally, I can't imagine using any non-vented heater other than in a barn. They use oxygen, you breath the exhaust, and the cure is to open a window and let in the cold. Mostly, you are better off closing the drafts and wearing a sweater.

The best low/no cost bodge I know is based on your stove. (From Good Old Boat) You already have the heat source and it is vented. In fact, the cool is not dangerously hot by the time it gets to the deck, if it is at least 30 inches long (I have one).

If you think about it, that's all the simplest cabin heaters are. The old Cozy Cabin is nothing more.

 

[pdqaltair]

BTW, I was testing a flower pot as a heater once, when it cracked and shot pieces across the cabin, melting a small hole in the carpet. Not for all the tea in China!

Is a non-vented heater really much different from just leaving the gas stove on? Exaust into the air. Cooking does warm the cabin, fast.

 

[pdqaltair]

Thanks for the info folks... After looking it over, a Dickinson heater seems to be the best option. But I just don't have the real estate to mount one. A friend at the marina is installing a Chinese diesel heater soon, I'm going to wait and see how it works out for him. They sell a self contained, suitcase model now, that can be left outside on the roof while at anchor. The advantages seem to be leaving most of the noise outside, and not having to cut holes in the boat...

I made a cardboard box the size of the heater and taped it to the wall for a summer. I decided it was not in the way after all, and mounted the heater.

Whatever choice you make, heat will convert your boat into a wonderful on-the-water cabin that you can park somewhere peaceful on a fall weekend. We often used it as a fall marsh kayaking basecamp. Really, really nice to return to a warm cabin, diner, and a movie to watch.

 

[pdqaltair]

Thanks for the info folks... After looking it over, a Dickinson heater seems to be the best option. But I just don't have the real estate to mount one. A friend at the marina is installing a Chinese diesel heater soon, I'm going to wait and see how it works out for him. They sell a self contained, suitcase model now, that can be left outside on the roof while at anchor. The advantages seem to be leaving most of the noise outside, and not having to cut holes in the boat...

This blog post, about the Dickenson heater:
Let there be heat