I would like to install an Espar forced air diesel heater in my 1999 36 MKii. My intention is to replace the existing Air Conditioning duct hose with hose that's suitable for heat distribution. Currently there is AC distribution to 3 vents located the port side of the aft cabin, mid-ship in the main cabin and up to the v-berth.
I have 2 questions. Question number one is where is the best place to locate the heater unit?
Question number two is whether anyone has any thoughts as to whether I should be considering the Espar D5 over the D4?
Although the D4 is rated for boats up to 36 feet, I have received mixed recommendations from suppliers, several of whom have said that we should consider the D5 ultimately suggesting that bigger is better. On the other hand, I've spoken several D4 owners with different models but similar sized boats who have stated that their units supply ample heat. Ideally, I'd like to hear from a 36 MKii owner who has first hand experience with a D4 to hopefully ascertain whether it has met expectations. Given there is an $800.00 (+taxes) difference between the models, I am hoping to hear that the D4 will be able to meet my needs.
For context, with respect to our sailing season, we currently sail from early May into late October here in Canada where from time to time the temperature can drop to 0 degrees Celsius (32F). Heaters are required at both ends of the season. As we enjoy cruising into the late Fall and prefer being at anchor, we do not always have access to electricity for an electric heater. Also, our longer term aspiration is to take the boat to points south through the Inter coastal, leaving our marina on lake Ontario in late August or early September. My understanding is that the early part of this trip through the New York canal system and the northern parts of the Inter-coastal gets chilly.
Any recommendations to my questions or any other thoughts on off-the-grid heating would be much appreciated.
Peter Feltham
Ottawa, Canada
Cattitude
Hi Peter,
I had on my C36 MK I, installed for almost 22 years an Eberspacher D3. Sailing in the North Sea that can get quite chilly. Now we are in the Mediterranean and sailing all year round. Temperatures never go below 0 but from November to March nights are also chilly. Last year, the D3 ends its life at we have now a D4. It is by far more than enough for our ship. It really heats the boat quicker than the old D3 it is more silence and consumes less. If you keep your 3 outlets, you will have to run at least the first 2/3 meters of the hose on diameter 90mm. We had a bad experience when replacing the D3 for the actual D4, and keept the existing 75mm old hose. The internal D4 was stopping after a while because the overheating sensor was reaching its limits and stopping the system. We replaced the first 3m of the hose for a new 90mm
diameter and the problem solves. Our D4 is installed in the after locker, port side. It is practical, the MKI, at
least ours, has a small tramp in the after cabin, from we can easily access the heater. Take care of the
exhaust system, It really gets hot, we have protected the whole exhaust hose with a thermal mantle, like
those used on the motor bikes exhaust systems. Install always the the small muffler supplied with the kit. It
is really a must. You will hardly notice your heater. Also the air intake muffler should be in place. We
experience that the an external temp sensor placed somewhere in the cabin, ours is in the galley, works
better that the internal one.
Nice and warm sailing!
Eladio Vallina
C-36 TR EUREKA II
Hull 1122 (1991)
Home port Barcelona (Spain).
Peter,
You do not need nor want a D5. The D4 is way more than enough heat for a C-36. A D-5 will short cycle and coke up faster. On our CS-36 I use a D2 because I prefer longer runs which lead to less coking. I run this heater in the dead of winter on our CS-36 at temps down to 0F and it makes the boat comfortable to work in often hitting 68 -70F at 0F out door temps.. When out cruising in the fall we often wake to a skim of ice on the decks and our D2 is more than enough for the off season use. We owned a C-36 and despite the weight difference the CS & Catalina are of similar size/volume down below.
I have numerous customers with 40+ foot boats running D4's and it is way more than enough heat. Even a J-42 I work on short cycles at anything above 35F....
Be sure you do not go with an Espar truck kit. Always install the marine version of the Espar or Webasto. There are lots of differences!!
The best location for any Espar or Webasto is in the lazarette so the exhaust can exit the stern with the shortest run possible. Done properly this is a fairly in-depth & time consuming installation best left to someone who installs Espars on boats and has been specifically trained by Eberspacher to do so.
The C-36 may require a custom exhaust fitting for the transom so it does not trap water. The stock Espar fittings do not always work for all transom angles..
-Maine Sail
https://www.marinehowto.com/