Most Common Boat-Heating Options

2023 is here. You may have taken the new year’s resolution and started working on it. But did you think about keeping your boat in good condition before the next fishing season kicks in?

The weather has taken a toll in the last few weeks. The temperature stayed low as most people needed to stay home & keep themselves warm using different ways. Similarly, our vessels require good care for maintaining various components and boat electronics in British Columbia.

Here we are with a few helpful tips to heat your boat and keep it warm for the upcoming season.

5 Boat-Heating Options

1. Insulation

An additional layer of insulation to keep the vessel warm is one of the most common ways. A few people do not pay too much attention to it. That’s why it takes a little bit more time & money while they finally decide to insulate their vessels.
You can also add an extra layer of insulation to your boat by yourself. However, taking professional help is recommended. If you do it every off-season, it will cost a little time and money.

2. Fuel Burning Heaters

It is another way that anglers use to heat the vessels. You can ask your boat dealer if their marine technicians can help mount fuel-burning heaters on your boat. Bulkhead mount and floor mount are the options. A fan to circulate the air is also optional. Diesel heaters are most common as they can have a ready fuel source in the diesel-operated vessel.

Propane space heaters, also known as LPG heaters, come with “direct-vent” via fitting and flue cap. It isolates the combustion process from the inside of your vessel. Some good designs boast an oxygen sensor that stops the fuel supply in the heater if the oxygen level in the boat reaches a dangerous level.

Knowing about such different types of fuel-burning heaters enables you to pick the right option per your needs and usage.

3. Hydronic Heat

Like the household water heating system, the hot water gets circulated through pumps and hoses on your vessel in the hydronic heating unit. The heat generated through the water gets transferred to the air in your boat cabin through tiny fans.

The team providing marine supplies in Vancouver Island can help install the hydronic heating system on your vessel, typically in the engine room. Depending on your boat model, you can run it using the main fuel tank or a separate tank. Also, you do not need to keep the engine on while using the heater.

4. AC (Air Conditioner) Heater

When you schedule boat maintenance, you can ask your dealer to install the AC heater in your vessel’s central air conditioning system. There is no restriction on using a specific Air Conditioner heater on the boat. However, specialists advise using heaters explicitly built for marine purposes. Such boat heating unit usually has stainless steel material and is corrosion resistant. High-quality AC heaters come with a safety switch and ignition protection. Check with professionals before buying an AC heater for your boat to get the right thing.

5. Forced Air Furnace

You can find different models of forced air furnaces in the market. You can use diesel or kerosene to run this type of unit. The generated heated air gets distributed through the ducts installed on your vessel. Based on the size of your boat, you can search for the fishing boat dealers near me who can install and use extensive ducting in the vessel to create & distribute the required heat. One significant advantage of the forced air furnace is that you will almost immediately feel the warmth once you start it.

Conclusion

While the next fishing season will be soon around the corner, we need to keep our vessel warm and ready during the winterization period or while using boat storage on Vancouver Island, BC. We hope this post helped you get more ideas about different ways to heat your boat.

Are you still looking for the best boats for sale in Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Vancouver, Clayoquot, or any other Vancouver Island, BC area? If yes, check the latest models of boats, trailers for sale and outboard motors in BC, Canada, at our showroom. Connect with our Alberni Power & Marine team today and get your best quote.