To Heat or not to Heat.

[Bar Bill]

We have a 300 sundancer. We live in Nashville TN, if you know the area it is hard to decide if we should just buy a engine heater or just be done for the year. On any giving day it my be in the 60's. What to do?:huh:

 

[Sundancer]

Tough decision! Nice boat though! :grin:

If you WILL use it, the heater is the way to go. If you think you MIGHT use it, I'd winterize it. The nice thing about winterizing it is that you absolutely don't have to worry about it. Plus, it makes spring more fun when you get to pull it out while anticipating getting back out on the water! I like the change of seasons and I can't wait to start skiing! So, putting the boat away is the transition into skiing and next spring when the snow begins melting, I'll pull the boat out and start getting her ready!

 

[First Born]

"Newborn onboard 6 Month old on board"

Congratulations :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:


http://byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=19378&cat=0&page=1

 

[Dave S]

We have similar winters as you do here in Charlotte and we use our boat year round. As long as you have camper canvas, even a sunny 45 degree day translates to a 70+ degree day in the cockpit when out on the water.

I installed a Boat Safe bilge heater and that protects the engine, fresh water system. and holding tank. We keep the heat on in the cabin as well so everything is protected against freezing.

Dave

 

[mrsrobinson]

Buy and install the heater. That way you are never wondering 'what if'. It's great 'mental' insurance.

 

[Southpaw II]

I'm from N'ville as well, but now reside in MS. Buy the heater, and use the boat when you can. The only caveat is that you need to keep fuel on hand in case there is a power outage. We both live in an area prone to ice storms that can cause a loss of power for a few days. Yuo have to consider how reliable the power is at the marina.

 

[wish2fish]

power outages would be my concern as well. He have had some winter experiences in this area where people were out of power a few days. I always wondered how long would it take to go from warm engine compartment to freeze enough to crack the block?

 

[mrsrobinson]

"I always wondered how long would it take to go from warm engine compartment to freeze enough to crack the block?"

I have heard 2-3 days straight where day & night temps do not rise above freezing.

 

[Nehalennia]

We have similar winters as you do here in Charlotte and we use our boat year round. As long as you have camper canvas, even a sunny 45 degree day translates to a 70+ degree day in the cockpit when out on the water.

I installed a Boat Safe bilge heater and that protects the engine, fresh water system. and holding tank. We keep the heat on in the cabin as well so everything is protected against freezing.

Dave

What cabin heater are you using?

 

[mrsrobinson]

Caframo 9206: http://www.caframo.com/heaters.htm

 

[Aquarius]

The 9206 nodel heater says not to be used in bilges or engine rooms. Where are you putting it on the boat and how long have you used this model heater/

Thanks-
Aquarius

 

[Nehalennia]

Caframo 9206: http://www.caframo.com/heaters.htm

I have the West Marine version of that one for the cabin heat. It's kind of noisy but does kick out the heat pretty good.

 

[mrsrobinson]

The 9206 nodel heater says not to be used in bilges or engine rooms. Where are you putting it on the boat and how long have you used this model heater/

Thanks-
Aquarius

We use this in the cabin only, 2+ years, we leave it on the freeze setting.

 

[Dave S]

What cabin heater are you using?

Todd

We use the onboard heat pump until the water gets below 45 degrees then we use a ceramic heater. If you go with a ceramic heater make sure it has a safety shut off in the event it gets tipped over.

power outages would be my concern as well. He have had some winter experiences in this area where people were out of power a few days. I always wondered how long would it take to go from warm engine compartment to freeze enough to crack the block?

If your boat sits in a slip all winter, a lot of that depends on your water temperature and the outside ambient temperature as well. For instance, our lake never drops below 40 degrees. Therefore the hull still provides some "heat" no matter what the outside temperature is. In our area, the temperatures never drop low enough, long enough, to create a potential freeze problem even if the electricity goes out for several days. But everyone's situation may not be the same as mine, so you need to carefully consider all the "what ifs" as well.

Dave

 

[Aquarius]

Can someone recommend an engine room heater I should buy for a 310 dancer? I'm in Alabama and plan on leaving my boat in the water and want some insurance just in case.

Thanks -
Aquarius

 

[Alex D]

Wea re in S. VA and temps are usually low 20s at night and high 20s to low 30s during the day. Evey once in a while the temps drop to 10F at night for a day. Lake never freezes these days anymore.

I have a Boatsafe heater in the bilge and two WM cabin heaters with staggered thermostat settings so that if one fails teh otehr one would pick up.

The Boatsafe heaters are built like tanks and we have never seen one fail in the entire marina in as long as anyone can remember. I do plug the bilge heater directly into the shore power post to avoid loading the boat breakers and the cabin heaters are plugged in the boat cicuit, but only one of them is running, so I avoid tripping boat breakers and getting stuff frozen.