We are still without power at home which by osmosis also means my office and workshops. To make matters worse it snowed heavily last night so I had to dig my way out this morning but at least the exercise warmed me up. Talking of warming me up I wish that I had the Taylor Heater that I had in one of my past boats.
Powered by diesel they use next to nothing fuel wise but they warmed the cabin up a treat. Many boaters find this type of heater old school and although not perhaps right for every boat, not least because you need a suitable bulkhead on which to mount them they do work a treat.You also might not need a heater if you only go boating in warm waters or the summer months.
On all my boats I try to do without propane or gas of any sort, especially after I surveyed a steel boat that literally had the deck peeled back by a gas explosion, sadly killing the couple on board in the process. Gas also has other drawbacks especially up here in the northern latitudes where lower temperatures make gas appliances less efficient but the other drawback is that propane contains a high proportion of moisture. When the cabin is closed up against the cold lighting a gas stove to warm the interior up soon results in a dripping overhead as the already saturated air cannot absorb any more moisture. Problems are exacerbated if you cook with gas too and before long the cabin degenerates into a damp soggy mess. Of course gas has it's place but for me heating with diesel seems like a no brainer, cheaper than gas to operate, significantly less damp problems and I am using a fuel that I have 120 gallons of already under the floor.
I would love to know other readers thoughts on the best way to heat the boat cabin if you go boating especially when the weather is less than clement.
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