I'm considering getting a diesel heater installed over the winter, with the ductwork later being utilized for A/C when the boat fund allows. I've reviewed the articles on the site here, but have a question regarding the duct installation.
Seeing as there are a number of 3-4" holes that need to be cut in bulkheads and other hull reinforcement, is there any concern about where these holes need to be placed in order to avoid creating weak points? I plan to contact Catalina to see where they route any factory or dealer installed A/C ducts, but thought I'd get opinions from members. Since I'll most likely be paying someone for this job (let them crawl around the boat in the middle of the winter..!), I'd like to be able to give them guidance.
Thanks for any advice.
Oh, and Happy Holidays to all...!!!!
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
I installed an Espar diesel heater on our C375 last year. Lots of work but very nice once done. The installation instructions were very specific on one aspect: do not use same ductwork as an A/C system. The ducts supplied with the heater are much sturdier than normal A/C ducts, The heated air flow can get quite warm, I doubt the plastic A/C ducting would withstand that temperature.
I can't give any guidance about bulkhead hole locations as my boat is different, but keep in mind the limited space to hide the ducts. It's the main limiting factor.
Don't forget to get an outlet in the head!
Francois Desrochers - C375 Tech Editor
S/V Alizes #15
Lake Ontario
2009 C375
I have a Webasto heater in the lazarette. Duct runs down under the aft berth, to a Y with an outlet under the edge of the berth, the other leg of the Y runs under the sole to port of the engine, under the galley (you feel a warm spot on the floor when you stand at the stove), and has an outlet in the dinette under the table.
I have though hard about another Y with a duct to either the head or forward cabin, but I can't figure out how to get a duct through the head without it being exposed for at least a few feet. This in turn makes me wonder if a route down the starboard side of the boat would work better. I think it might.
Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Mk II's take note...Jason is talking Mk I, and Mk II boats have radically different routing options because of the wider stern and location of holding and fuel tanks.
I am interested to hear from the Mk II members on this topic. I did a 'quick and dirty' installation of an Espar that has served well in the Pac NW, so far, but I would like to improve the duct routing, possibly with a small diameter 'stub' going into the head.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
[QUOTE=LCBrandt;7314]Mk II's take note...Jason is talking Mk I, and Mk II boats have radically different routing options because of the wider stern and location of holding and fuel tanks.
I am interested to hear from the Mk II members on this topic. I did a 'quick and dirty' installation of an Espar that has served well in the Pac NW, so far, but I would like to improve the duct routing, possibly with a small diameter 'stub' going into the head.[/QUOTE]
Larry,
We have a Webasto in the lazarrette of our MkII. The ducting splits under the aft berth. There are outlets in the aft cabin, under the aft edge of the dinette, in the head and in the V berth. We generally leave the outlet in the aft cabin closed because the aft cabin heats up pretty well as it is. The outlet in the head is the best. we have warm bedding in the V berth and my wife only really demands that the head remains warm.
Stay warm, my friends.
Bruce
Bruce Campbell
Evergreen Dreams #1409