[zAr]

So, I want to purchase a CS36T to liveaboard in the Toronto area. This will be my first boat. How do I go about calculating the heating requirements for wintering? How many BTU's should I be looking at? Would a Dickinson P9000 propane heater be fine or do I need some serious heat like Espar or Webasto?

 

[Omatako]

I still find it astonishing that after all this time, the Americans have still not found an alternative to British Thermal Units (BTUs)

When they do, the unit will probably be equivalent to 3⅞ of a BTU.:laugher

Sorry, I have no idea how to calculate heating requirements, just being frivolous.

 

[theartfuldodger]

I would suggest that a 12,000 would be what you would need. I have a fellow sailing friend who has installed an Espar heater in a 34 Sail boat and is more than enough, he got all his spec's for requirements on the West Marine site. Myself use a Dickinson 12,000 on my 33 Morgan and is enough.

 

[BBurg]

I still find it astonishing that after all this time, the Americans have still not found an alternative to British Thermal Units (BTUs)

When they do, the unit will probably be equivalent to 3⅞ of a BTU.

Ooof, Making fun of our fellow sailors are we?? How about BaaaTU's? The amount of energy required to raise the temp of a beer by one degree (F not C) whilst gently stroking your favorite KIWI lady. Yee Haw mate!!

I'm really just joshing you. I've seen many references made to our fuzzy little buddies and this picture reminded me that there are 40 sheep per person on some islands. And can someone tell me if this is a real law in Kiwiland?

It is illegal to wander the streets at night with your face blackened, and it is lawful to take a leak in the street provided that you maintain one hand on the rump of the horse while you leak, and you aim for the ground where the horse would leak onto. (Police Offences Act 1906)

 

[jonfreeman]

Try this link: BTU Calculator - Artful Dodger's number is probably pretty close (maybe even high). I just put a 17,000 BTU Espar Hydronic unit in my Catalina 310. Fired it up the first time this weekend, and it appears MORE than enough, and I am also heating the hot water (20 gallons).

 

[jonfreeman]

BTW - My buddy has the 17,000 BTU unit in his Catalina 34. He is completely happy (because his wife is happy).

 

[zAr]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

Jonfreeman, your comments got me researching the weather/temperature patterns in Nfld and I learned something new. Average winter temps are -2 C. Here in southern Ontario we're well below that at -20 C. I gotta move there, seriously.

What the heck, I thought it would be colder there. Instead I find out you guys are melting the icebergs!

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.

 

[TSOJOURNER]

My suggestion: (before you buy the boat and move on to it) would be to go down to the marinas and talk to the people who are actually living on their boats. They'll probably have a wealth of information for you on all of these subjects. I think you'll find them friendly and more than willing to help.

 

[Omatako]

Ooof, Making fun of our fellow sailors are we??

Nah not sailors, just Americans.

If I were given to continuing this line it would have to go to Off Topic and since I very rarely go there, it would be of little value.

 

[JiffyLube]

I still find it astonishing that after all this time, the Americans have still not found an alternative to British Thermal Units (BTUs)

When they do, the unit will probably be equivalent to 3⅞ of a BTU.:laugher

Sorry, I have no idea how to calculate heating requirements, just being frivolous.

BTU is just a unit of measure that we are familiar with. Do use something besides BTU?

 

[eryka]

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.