Boat Heater

[DieselPWR]

I'm looking to install a vent heater in my boat? Can anyone recommend a make / model, or can tell me what kind they have in their boat? Has anyone installed one themself? good place to buy one?

Thanks!

[Timmy!]

I had Bill install one for me when I bought the boat new. I have the 2 vent Heatercraft model and love it. I think the 3 vent would be a little better but the 2 vent seems to serve the need. I believe I paid ~$400 for it installed.

[DieselPWR]

Do you have the windscreen as well? I need to get my hands on one of those as well.

[Timmy!]

Yep, I have the windscreen too. You might think about just doing a bow cover instead of a windscreen because you could then use that on rainy days or days when it's real rough out and you want to keep water from coming over the front.

[mtnsmith]

I installed a heater last year, it is a danhard heater. They make heaters for buses, 4x4's, and ambulances. They have an all plastic housing that was more attractive to me since we use our boat in salt water. The couple heatercrafts I've seen used in salt were all corroded. It was also about double the btu of the heatercraft, has 4 vents, and was only $250. Install is super easy but does require drilling 3" holes in the spots you want to mount your vents, not a big deal though. I'd be glad to provide exact info and pics if you would like of where to put the hose barbs on the water pump and manifold if you have a marine power 340hp or similar. For the switch I used the tower light switch with only hi and medium. With the windscreen in place and the heater in high on a 65 degree day last year the area around the driver and observer got to about 85-87 while moving. We actually used the heater all year long, yes even in florida, nights heading back after being out in the sun all day are surprisingly cool on the water.

[samw]

I installed a heater last year, it is a danhard heater. They make heaters for buses, 4x4's, and ambulances. They have an all plastic housing that was more attractive to me since we use our boat in salt water. The couple heatercrafts I've seen used in salt were all corroded. It was also about double the btu of the heatercraft, has 4 vents, and was only $250. Install is super easy but does require drilling 3" holes in the spots you want to mount your vents, not a big deal though. I'd be glad to provide exact info and pics if you would like of where to put the hose barbs on the water pump and manifold if you have a marine power 340hp or similar. For the switch I used the tower light switch with only hi and medium. With the windscreen in place and the heater in high on a 65 degree day last year the area around the driver and observer got to about 85-87 while moving. We actually used the heater all year long, yes even in florida, nights heading back after being out in the sun all day are surprisingly cool on the water.

That would be great if you could show some pics and where to buy.

Thanks
Sam

[mtnsmith]

Their website is www.danhard.com, it is the 00417-SS, it is 48k btu and has 4 vents. It was about $250 and is in an all plastic housing.

I'll get some pics of it this week with where you tap into the cooling loop and also the heater mounted up infront of the driver.

[ragboy]

My boat is at the dealer right now getting a heater and other minor stuff in.

http://www.heatercraft.com/ProductIn...ductid=303-H-C

This is what the dealer recommended, I will let you know how it goes.

[chpthril]

The 2 vent HeaterCraft is pretty much the industry std. and used by most as the factory heater.

You can buy the same 2 vent heater on the automotive side for far less then the marine unit. JCWhitney caries it, all you need it ducts, vents, hose and fittings.

[buffman]

Do you have the windscreen as well? I need to get my hands on one of those as well.

I got both and they are well worth it...as I guess you can imagine now...burrrr

[Timmy!]

I might try and hit up the lake this weekend. I guess the water at Boyd Lake is still reasonably warm.

[720!]

heater

We got the Heatercraft in ours. I'm not familiar with the other unit, but make sure you get at least one pull-out tube!

[mtnsmith]

That's what I like about the 4 vent unit I put in, two hot tubes and two fixed vents. I might make one more hot tube though cause they are awesome, wrap up in a a towel and put a hot tube in there and you will be nice and toasty in no time. I promise to get some pics up tomorrow when I get the boat out for our thursday afternoon boarding.

[samw]

That's what I like about the 4 vent unit I put in, two hot tubes and two fixed vents. I might make one more hot tube though cause they are awesome, wrap up in a a towel and put a hot tube in there and you will be nice and toasty in no time. I promise to get some pics up tomorrow when I get the boat out for our thursday afternoon boarding.

Mtnsmith
How is the air flow out put on the heater you installed? Also did that just fit under the dash? Any pics?

Thanks
Sam

[DieselPWR]

I got both and they are well worth it...as I guess you can imagine now...burrrr

buffman, do you have the 3-vent or 2-vent?