What size bilge heater

[Bob & Sue]

I've been indoor rack stored the last 4 winters, this winter the boat will be in a boat house. The temps usually only dip into the low 20's for a short period of time some winters it has stayed freezing for maybe 1 to 2 weeks. I was out on the boat the other day & measured the bilge it's approximately 140 cubic feet with a single 5.7l and FWC.

I've looked at numerous websites including BOE none of the heaters really give any specs of what size bilge they'll protect, one site said it would protect a bilge 340 cubic feet at -4* none of the rest seem to give much info on sizing.

I'm leaning towards the Boatsafe Jr-600W or the Boatsafe Minimax 600W from BOE or the Twin Hornet 35 600W. Possibly the Caframo Pali 400W.

Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations or how to size a bilge heater I'd rather be over sized than save a couple bucks. I like the idea of the Hornet having dual switches & fans if one fails the other one keeps the heater running.

Hornets site:
http://www.boatbilgeheaters.com/

http://www.caframolifestylesolutions.com/product/engine-compartment-heater/pali/

 

[Gofirstclass]

IMO that dual-everything heater sounds like the perfect solution to a problem that never existed.

I have a BoatSafe heater that I've had for years. Even though my engines are diesel and I'm not worried about an explosion, I like the heater.

As to the size, you have to remember that the bilge/engine room area are sitting in water that will be over 32*. The only thing you're worried about is the air temp in the bilge. The engines are going to be kept around freezing or above by the water, so they're going to be OK. Because your boat will be inside a boat house you don't really need to be concerned about cold winds blowing through the bilge as it would if it was stored outside.

Given those things that are working in your favor, I'd just go with a 600W heater. My BoatSafe heater is IIRC the 600W model. All it needs to do is keep the engine room about freezing. It does that well.

 

[CliffA]

not a direct answer to your question but it is related....

you likely know this but regardless of what size heater you purchase you will want to keep the heat in the ER and the cold air out of the ER....I use car wash sponges stuffed into the ER vents....its cheap and works well since the sponge will swell and seal off the vent.....

I am also considering having my canvas guy make some covers for the ER vents out of black sunbrella to match the new camper canvas....they will be held in place with snaps.....this will help keep the cold wind from blowing in the vent.....

cliff

 

[BillK2632]

I've got a 600w BoatSafe - used it in the 290 when it was in the water, then in my 185 when it was on a lift at our house - worked well in both cases - I wouldn't want anything smaller. I'm in un-heated dry storage now, so no choice but to winterize. +1 on what Cliff said about plugging the blower vents - makes a huge difference.

 

[trflgrl]

not a direct answer to your question but it is related....

you likely know this but regardless of what size heater you purchase you will want to keep the heat in the ER and the cold air out of the ER....I use car wash sponges stuffed into the ER vents....its cheap and works well since the sponge will swell and seal off the vent.....

I am also considering having my canvas guy make some covers for the ER vents out of black sunbrella to match the new camper canvas....they will be held in place with snaps.....this will help keep the cold wind from blowing in the vent.....

cliff

Looks like I'll be upgrading from my custom-cut pool noodles this year....but they made a HUGE difference in the ER temp between our first winter and our second.

Several dock neighbors use no-mar Frog type painters' tape, too. Personally I like using something like noodle/sponge because it's easier to remove/replace than mess with re-taping, as we don't winterize and will launch on sunny days. I kept a slice of the foam on my key as a reminder to remove the covers when starting.

 

[CliffA]

I kept a slice of the foam on my key as a reminder to remove the covers when starting.

I keep a 3" x 5" index card with the words 'REMOVE SPONGES' in the electrical control panel in front of the engine ignition breakers.....


cliff

 

[bbwhitejr]

I used the left over memory foam that I cut for my V birth to plug my ER vents. Does make a difference.

Bennett

 

[sdarc]

I am also considering having my canvas guy make some covers for the ER vents out of black sunbrella to match the new camper canvas....they will be held in place with snaps.....this will help keep the cold wind from blowing in the vent.....

cliff

:thumbsup: that's what I did. best $50 I spent.

 

[Bob & Sue]

I am also considering having my canvas guy make some covers for the ER vents out of black sunbrella to match the new camper canvas....they will be held in place with snaps.....this will help keep the cold wind from blowing in the vent.....

cliff

I like that idea we have a canvas shop across from our marina I'm going to have a pair made to match, plus I'll be able to remember to remove them when we take the canvas off to go out.

 

[Riptide III]

Bob, I have a 750 watt boatsafe that I used on my 32'. I sent it back to the factory for servicing. They replaced the the fan. I am putting it on eBay this week with a starting bid of $100 winner pays shipping. If you are interested, I will sell it to you for $100 you also pay shipping. I don't mean to be tacky and I hope this isn't against the forum rules. It will go on eBay and I'm confident it will sell. Just trying to be helpful. Email me at phildias@comcast.net if interested. Phil

 

[Bob & Sue]

Thanks for the offer your lucky it was repaired Boatsafe has just closed their doors website is gone phone# disconnected so I'm told BOE marine. Going with a different unit.

 

[almostenuff]

I've been indoor rack stored the last 4 winters, this winter the boat will be in a boat house. The temps usually only dip into the low 20's for a short period of time some winters it has stayed freezing for maybe 1 to 2 weeks. I was out on the boat the other day & measured the bilge it's approximately 140 cubic feet with a single 5.7l and FWC.

I've looked at numerous websites including BOE none of the heaters really give any specs of what size bilge they'll protect, one site said it would protect a bilge 340 cubic feet at -4* none of the rest seem to give much info on sizing.

I'm leaning towards the Boatsafe Jr-600W or the Boatsafe Minimax 600W from BOE or the Twin Hornet 35 600W. Possibly the Caframo Pali 400W.

Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations or how to size a bilge heater I'd rather be over sized than save a couple bucks. I like the idea of the Hornet having dual switches & fans if one fails the other one keeps the heater running.

Hornets site:
http://www.boatbilgeheaters.com/

http://www.caframolifestylesolutions.com/product/engine-compartment-heater/pali/

I have a like-new boat safe heater that never turned on. I live in FL now, so I would entertain an offer

 

[Boat Safe LLC]

Thanks for the offer your lucky it was repaired Boatsafe has just closed their doors website is gone phone# disconnected so I'm told BOE marine. Going with a different unit.

To clarify, Boat Safe did not close their doors. The company is now under new management. All services were transferred this week so the website and phones were temporarily down. All systems are up and running and we are happy to accept your business!!

 

[dpmulvey]

Go big or go home! I have an Xtreme 600. The boat safe was too big for my setup, good heater though. Make sure your insurance company recognizes the Caframo as OK. It meets specs. Ins Is in business to make, not spend money.

Good luck.

 

[northern]

By boat house do you mean in the water? I used to leave my boat in the water in Nanaimo all winter. All I did was turn off the fresh water pump, open the taps, put 2 pan 100 watt heaters in the cabin and leave. It got below freezing for a few days each winter and we had ice on the water some times. The only thing that ever froze was the carbon water filter for the ice maker.

 

[Bob & Sue]

By boat house do you mean in the water? I used to leave my boat in the water in Nanaimo all winter. All I did was turn off the fresh water pump, open the taps, put 2 pan 100 watt heaters in the cabin and leave. It got below freezing for a few days each winter and we had ice on the water some times. The only thing that ever froze was the carbon water filter for the ice maker.

Yep in a boat house in the water, we boat year around plan on just emptying the fresh water with a Caframo True North heater in the cabin set to freeze mode it will come on at 38* and keep it above that temp. If we have an extended period of freezing I'll set the cabin heater to a higher setting to keep it about 50*. The bilge heater will run till it reaches 58* .

 

[northern]

Mold can be a problem with too much cabin heat as it will cause condensation.
Winter boating can be fun but it is cold, damp and survival if you fall over board is short.

 

[northern]

Mold can be a problem with too much cabin heat as it will cause condensation.
Winter boating can be fun but it is cold, damp, wind and survival if you fall over board is short. But fun as there are few boaters out there.

 

[Bob & Sue]

Mold can be a problem with too much cabin heat as it will cause condensation.
Winter boating can be fun but it is cold, damp and survival if you fall over board is short.

Thanks for the info.

In the cabin I have a Caframo True North Model 9206CABBX for heat on anti freeze mode setting 1. The anti-freeze setting is a great winter storage solution that automatically turns on when the weather drops to 38° F ( 3°C), ensuring the air temperature in the room remains above the freezing point.

With a Caframo Stor-Dry Model 9406CAABX dehumidifier combats mold, mildew and musty odors in any boat or RV that is closed up or winterized. This dual action air dryer uses a low wattage heating element and internal fan to both heat and circulate the air. The heat and circulation prevents stale air pockets which in turn prevents mold or mildew forming on the interior surface of the boat.

I've been boating in the PNW since I was 3 years old if I die at sea well I'll die where I love being.