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Old 01-01-2011, 09:54 AM   #3
koliver
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City: Saltspring Island
Vessel Name: Retreat
Vessel Model: C&L 44
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,656
RE: Dickinson vs Sig Marine heaters

Here is my take on it. I emphasize that this is only a distillation of the stories I have heard over the years.

Dickinson started it.
Sig (and maybe others) worked there, left to form Fab-All and built a better mousetrap.
Years later, Fab-All sold off the Sig Marine part to Dickinson. Sig Adolf (and family) still owns Fab-All.

I really like the little, round Fab-All heater, (could be the Sig 180) that several of my friends have in their boats. lots of heat for the size, good bang for the buck.

I had a Dickinson (Newport) heater in my first sailboat and I loved it. Had a Webasto in the next sailboat and but for the heat to the back cabin, that the Dickinson couldn't have done, would have preferred a Dickinson.

Current boat came with a Propane stove, which I quickly replaced the a Fab-All, "Sig-Mar" stove. It is the same size as the Dickinson Pacific, but cost me way less. Works very well and I wouldn't have anything else.

Go with the Sig, you won't regret it.
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