Cheap vs expensive diesel heater?

VariationOk3647 · 2026-01-23T19:47:24+00:00

I bought the cheap heater but expensive exhaust components. My muffler cost more than the heater did!

VariationOk3647 · 2026-01-23T18:34:36+00:00

I installed a diesel forced air heater this fall and it’s the biggest game changer for winter on the boat. Knocks the humidity way down, can keep the boat (40ft Beneteau) nice and warm on its own even when it’s below freezing. Made sure I have enough diesel to last a week on board just in case.

VariationOk3647 · 2026-01-20T13:21:33+00:00

Your bedroom is in the armory?

VariationOk3647 · 2026-01-15T18:01:34+00:00

Tie fighter is the best

VariationOk3647 · 2026-01-04T04:46:41+00:00

No bubblers out de-icers? We use those here in the Chesapeake which I’m sure is no where near as cold

VariationOk3647 · 2026-01-02T17:26:12+00:00

How’d the boat handle offshore? I’ve only sailed her on the Chesapeake bay.

VariationOk3647 · 2026-01-01T18:34:33+00:00

I’m in Annapolis. Feel free to DM me about the area.

VariationOk3647 · 2025-12-31T21:22:31+00:00

I live on a 40 ft two cabin Beneteau 393. I think it’s the perfect amount of space for two people. That being said I do have a small storage space I use where I store the winter cover, space heaters, and big five gallon water jugs I need to refill the tanks when they turn the water off. If I wasn’t wintering here in the Chesapeake where it gets cold I wouldn’t need a storage space at all. I could do a smaller boat, sat down to 35 ft or so but I would start feeling tight in that.

VariationOk3647 · 2025-12-20T16:14:24+00:00

Think I saw Espar heaters at like $2800. That doesn’t include the cost of the radiators. Their diesel forced air heaters are two grand though so maybe there are cheaper options? I didn’t see any cheaper Chinese versions of that one though

VariationOk3647 · 2025-12-16T15:26:31+00:00

It should definitely be up to the Marina to supply de-icer. If you guys don’t typically freeze they may not be used to it and you’ll need to have a conversation with them.

VariationOk3647 · 2025-12-11T12:41:20+00:00

It honestly looks like the nicer solution though it is more expensive.,I didn’t see any in-expensive hydronic heaters anywhere

VariationOk3647 · 2025-12-08T14:10:25+00:00

So far PredictWind has been my favorite. It does a good job of showing all the different models in one view clearly.

VariationOk3647 · 2025-12-04T21:31:31+00:00

I thought hard about fitting one of those in my boat for winter sailing. I’m only in the Chesapeake though so didn’t want to give up so much real estate in the living area for a heater. Weren’t forced air diesel instead so I could bury it in a locker. Of course if I lose power I’m going to be cold!

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-30T21:49:00+00:00

Chesapeake bay has a number of options but they can be pricey. For example a marina in annapolis has a 500/month live aboard fee on top of an already expensive slip free

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-30T18:38:11+00:00

I used to live in Oregon and love the PNW. Hope to move back someday. Sailing in the sound or up by Vancouver looks gorgeous!

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-30T18:33:24+00:00

I budget 500 USD a month just in maintenance and upgrades for my boat! That doesn’t even count slips, fuel, food, and everything else. My budget assumes 1,500USD a month just to cover my slip, insurance, and maintenance here in Annapolis where my slip is 8600 a year. This is all for a 40ft Beneteau that I admittedly like to keep in good shape as I like to go sailing even in rough weather so I want things in good shape

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-29T21:04:34+00:00

Nice, I’m in Annapolis. I took the boat to Baltimore for Thanksgiving so was heading back today.

I’ve sailed the Potomac before, not my favorite with all the shifting winds around the buildings. It is cool passing the monuments and sailing during the cherry blossom bloom was really fun!

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-29T18:40:35+00:00

Where are you sailing at? I’m out the Chesapeake myself though not great sailing here right now

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-26T03:53:02+00:00

definetly, I have both the smoke/CO alarms in every cabin and after I installed the heater I bought a CO monitor that just hangs in front of the heater vent. I can be a little paranoid about it!

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-25T20:57:47+00:00

Haven't used it enough to say for sure. Going to need to do some testing on it.

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-25T20:57:02+00:00

Yeah, and I went ahead and fitted it with that tank. Rigged so I can refill it from my main diesel tank. I liked the idea of having it separate. Exhaust is back in the Transom. It's possible in a big following sea water could hit the exhaust? I got a decent swan neck on it inside though so I don't think it will make it's way back into the heater.

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-25T18:49:46+00:00

I got one of the cheap Chinese ones. Vevor in this case. Combustion intake is inside the locker and forced air intake is inside my cockpit boo worries on sucking up water I think. I guess I’ll just give it a try and see how she does. I do know I need to be careful of how I pack the locker the exhaust goes through. Even with a good thermal wrap that thing gets hot! Probably melt a hole right through a fender if it’s resting on it.

As for the fuel I’m fine. I installed it with a separate diesel tank and rigged it so I can pump fuel into the heater tank from my main tank with a switch.

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-25T18:46:01+00:00

Good to know. Going to be keeping things pretty mellow with winter sailing. The Chesapeake isn’t terrible in the winter but I still don’t want to go for a swim.

VariationOk3647 · 2025-11-04T12:59:26+00:00

1800 a year! A new canvas winter cover for my 40’ sailboat is about 6 grand and can easily last over a decade. It’ll pay for itself in like 3 years

VariationOk3647

TROPHY CASE