Heating the cabin of a Bowrider

[Rookster]

Just picked up my first ever boat (used) and wondering and enjoying this online community. Got an 18foot bowrider with convertible top. I live in Ontario and hope to be boating from mid-May to mid-October.

Any ideas on how I might go about heating the boat's cabin, just enough to take the edge off?

 

[GA_Boater]

A little confused. A bow rider has no cabin and they are often called open bow.

What did you buy?

 

[Rookster]

A little confused. A bow rider has no cabin and they are often called open bow.

What did you buy?

Wrong terminology I guess - definitely a bow rider, but with the bow cover and convertible top in place, it's a full enclosure that I'm referring to as the "cabin".

 

[southkogs]

You've got it termed right - the canvas that goes from the top of the windscreen back, and kinda' looks like a bimini, is a convertible top. GA's thinkin' about the structures that go over center consoles, walk-arounds and other types of boats ... which is also called a convertible top.

You'd need to do some lookin' around - I would be hesitant to suggest anything like a electric heater. Maybe something ceramic, but more likely can you find anything chemical? Sorta' like the hand/boot warmers you can buy at the camping stores.

 

[GA_Boater]

Cockpit not cabin.

What boat did you buy and what powers it?

 

[Rookster]

Good suggestion

 

[mr 88]

If its a I/O you could plumb a heat exchanger with internal fan into the motor. Then run some duct hose to the passenger side or have it vent out by your feet or on the sides of the companion way/ the area between the consoles that you walk through to get to the bow section. Pretty sure they sell them on this site. There more efficient at 1,000 rpms and up, unless you install a inline water pump to get the hot water up to the exchanger.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi
I have a bowrider with a full hood (as we call it in UK). Many in the local have bowriders too.
We tend to put diesel fired heaters in them. Very popular with all sizes of boats over here.
Google Eberspacher D2 as an example.
They are basically truck night heaters. Mine just ran off a small outboard tank of diesel. Lasted ages, very effective and easy to fit.

 

[Rookster]

Interesting - thanks gents...will look up these solutions!

 

[Rookster]

Yikes! That diesel heater is a thousand bucks on Amazon.ca! About 5 times my budget...wonder if I can figure out that heat exchanger idea...

 

[GA_Boater]

What boat did you buy and what powers it? It seems you don't want to answer.

That little bit of info can change the advice we give.

 

[rallyart]

I'll assume you have a sterndrive, and not an outboard. If that's the case then adding a heater powered by engine cooling water is far and away the best solution. I have two 40,000 BTU units hooked up in series in by 21'. They make a world of difference in Canada and I would highly recommend installing one. Some people I know just run a shower and use it to warm up when getting out after swimming in the water, but that does not help nearly as much. My recommendation is to make sure you get at least one "hot tube". ( I have 4)

The installation is not difficult but requires some planning, and it is more difficult winterizing the cooling system.

If you have a closed cooling system that uses antifreeze it is only slightly different. If you have an outboard you don't have this option.

 

[Rookster]

Thanks guys, sorry - not intentionally holding back. The boat is a 2000 18ft Crownline bowrider, 3.0L I/O. That kit looks like exactly what I need though.

 

[crazy charlie]

You can try converting some of your convertible canvas to clear plastic and let the sun warm you the solar way.We have a center console with a dodger and had a clear plastic windshield made out of 20 gage which wraps around the sides a little and when it is sunny my wife sits in the front console seat and bakes toasty.as long as you are heading into the breeze.If the aft were closed in I would use a windshield de-icer that I bought at Harbor freight for $10 on sale which puts out surprisingly warm air.Have used it on the boat with success however it draws a lot of juice so if you are running with 1 battery I wouldnt recommend it as a precaution.Charlie

 

[Rookster]

All natural heating - love it...actually the convertible top has an enormous rear plastic window, so that may help (on sunny days only).

 

[southkogs]

All natural heating - love it...actually the convertible top has an enormous rear plastic window, so that may help (on sunny days only).

... add a couple of burritos into the old lunch box ... :faint2:

 

[ajgraz]

Bring your girlfriend to keep you warm. But don't tell your wife!

 

[Rookster]

Bring your girlfriend to keep you warm. But don't tell your wife!

May need both - more body heat...