Bilge Heater for Sundancer 300

[Pagoda]

We recently acquired a Sundancer 300 and we're still learning the boat. Since we're now approaching winter weather here in East Tennessee, we are wanting to be sure that the bilge heater in the boat will be adequate. We assume this will be the case since the boat is from this area and the heater is what was installed, but I thought I'd solicit from the Forum for feedback. The boat has the Xtreme 400W unit installed. I did install a wifi temperature monitor with alarms so that we could watch the bilge temps, as well.

 

[Skybolt]

We recently acquired a Sundancer 300 and we're still learning the boat. Since we're now approaching winter weather here in East Tennessee, we are wanting to be sure that the bilge heater in the boat will be adequate. We assume this will be the case since the boat is from this area and the heater is what was installed, but I thought I'd solicit from the Forum for feedback. The boat has the Xtreme 400W unit installed. I did install a wifi temperature monitor with alarms so that we could watch the bilge temps, as well.

Best Engine Room Heater

Fixing to purchase a new ER heater. The old boatsafe heater is making a lot of noise. I’ve noticed that there is a Extreme Heater and Caframco Pali available. Pricing is comparable based on wattage. what’s ur experience?

clubsearay.com

 

[Pagoda]

No experience to offer. This is the first cruiser we have had. Sorry.

 

[BlueYonder]

What is your goal for the heater? Are you trying to avoid winterizing your motors? The 400w size is below the recommended size for your boat. Even if it was a larger size, a winter storm power outage could be catastrophic. Are you going to store the boat in the water or on land?

 

[bbwhitejr]

I am in North GA. Last year during Christmas, it got very cold here with wind chills -10 to-20 below 0 and temps in the 0-5* range. We stayed in the water with a 420DA. I had a 1000 watt BoatSafe and a 450watt Xtreme bilge heaters. I was able to monitor remotely and the bilge stayed between 40-45*. As indicated above, 400watts in a 300 bilge is too risky.

If you are interested, I am planning to sell the 1000watt BoatSafe heater. PM me if you are interested.

Bennett

 

[Pagoda]

The boat came with an additional BoatSafe 700W and based on your responses, my guess is that it was likely used to supplement the Xtreme. The issue for me is that the BoatSafe has to be plugged in (of course) whereas the Xtreme has been hard-wired into the boat AC circuit. To plug in the BoatSafe, I have to prop the the bilge compartment up a bit so that the wire can feed through. I then worry a bit about the amount of heat I'm losing through that opening versus the amount that I'm adding. Sounds like I need to figure it out and use the BoatSafe as well.