Mainship 400 Engine Heat-Source Heater

[Bay Retriever]

I’m investigating adding some sort of engine heater to warm up the interior of my 2004
Mainship 400. I’ve read on this Forum a few of the descriptions of installs, both simple and complex. However, I’d really like to know what other Mainship 400 boats have installed and whether they’ve generally been happy with what they installed or whether they would’ve done anything differently. Right now, I’m looking to extend my boating season ( I’m in Deltaville, VA) and in the near future I’m planning on making extended cruises north and south during the early spring. Maybe even do the loop.

 

[CaptTom]

You basically have three choices. The first is a so-called "bus heater." This runs off jacket water from the engine. Fairly easy install and very reliable, but only works while you're running the engine.

Next would be a diesel-fueled "parking heater." Basically a tiny oil-fired, forced-hot-air furnace. A bit harder to install and maintain. Plus the exhaust hose gets very hot (think, glowing cherry red) and has to be as short a run as possible so you really need to think about where you install it. But they work well and can run all the time without needing the motor or a genset.

Which brings up the last option: run a generator to power a reverse-cycle air conditioner on "heat" mode. If you already have both the AC and the generator, this is by far the simplest and most common.

I guess I should mention a variant of option 2; a diesel-fired, forced-hot-water system. Same thing but instead of a fan and ducts, it uses a pump and baseboard radiators. This takes a bit more install effort, especially figuring out where the best locations for the baseboard heaters would be. On many boats there just isn't much linear baseboard space. But if you can make it work, it's probably the best option.

 

[Jeff F]

I guess I should mention a variant of option 2; a diesel-fired, forced-hot-water system. Same thing but instead of a fan and ducts, it uses a pump and baseboard radiators. This takes a bit more install effort, especially figuring out where the best locations for the baseboard heaters would be. On many boats there just isn't much linear baseboard space. But if you can make it work, it's probably the best option.

This variant also opens the possibility of using a combination of waste heat and diesel - furnace when stopped and capturing engine heat when underway.

This is almost always a bigger install/$$ effort though...

 

[Shrew]

My question would be....

Are you attempting to heat the cabin while you're underway? (bus heater)

OR while you're at anchor/mooring? (Diesel heater; Webasto, Dickinson, Eberspacher)

 

[jtdums]

We are on the loop currently and added a diesel heater prior to leaving. We have had multiple occasions to use it and it has worked wonderfully.

We have reverse cycle heat through the A/C and it can be used with generator, but the heat it puts out is pretty anemic compared the the diesel heater. Very happy with our decision.

 

[Bay Retriever]

I am curious about both Bus and Diesel Heat options and wonder if any of the Mainship 400 boats on the forum could chime in about the cost and difficulties of their installations.

 

[Shrew]

I don't know that you need to narrow it down to Mainship 400's. That's going to slice the pie pretty thin. It won't impact cost that much, unless you're comparing a 70 foot boat.

 

[Newtrawlerowner]

I totally understand your wanting to talk to a MS 400 owner. You want to know the what, where, how it was installed and how well it worked. I might suggest researching on Facebook as well. There are several loop and Mainship groups that may not be looking here. My only other advice is if you decide to go with a diesel heater, have someone that has installed one of those provide guidance, even if its not a MS 400.
We met a couple on the loop that had a MS430. The owner installed a diesel heater and really liked how well it worked. I gave it some thought but figuring out a place that didn't take up valuable storage space was my big concern.

 

[Onne]

I’m investigating adding some sort of engine heater to warm up the interior of my 2004
Mainship 400. I’ve read on this Forum a few of the descriptions of installs, both simple and complex. However, I’d really like to know what other Mainship 400 boats have installed and whether they’ve generally been happy with what they installed or whether they would’ve done anything differently. Right now, I’m looking to extend my boating season ( I’m in Deltaville, VA) and in the near future I’m planning on making extended cruises north and south during the early spring. Maybe even do the loop.

Here is what I did and it’s awesome!

Espar Heater Install

Watch as Onne van der Wal installs an Espar D2L 2KW 7500 BTU diesel heater in his 1986 Grand Banks 32 Snow Goose.

vimeo.com

 

[Bay Retriever]

My question would be....

Are you attempting to heat the cabin while you're underway? (bus heater)

OR while you're at anchor/mooring? (Diesel heater; Webasto, Dickinson,

 

[Bay Retriever]

Everyone says “bus heaters”! Can you name a few good manufacturers, particularly ones with good fans, and maybe a thermostatically controlled unit if there is such a thing.

 

[CaptTom]

Go to the Fisheries Supply (west coast) or Hamilton Marine (Northeast) web site. These companies sell to "real" boaters and commercial fishermen, so the quality and selection should be decent.

 

[luna]

These guys are an employee owned outfit that has been around since your dad bought that new 1965 Mustang.

Catalog

HOME

www.reddotcorp.com

I have found their stuff well made.

 

[Bay Retriever]

We are on the loop currently and added a diesel heater prior to leaving. We have had multiple occasions to use it and it has worked wonderfully.

We have reverse cycle heat through the A/C and it can be used with generator, but the heat it puts out is pretty anemic compared the the diesel heater. Very happy with our decision.

T

 

[Bay Retriever]

Sounds like a wonderful undertaking..the loop. Qs. Which diesel heater did you have installed and what size is your boat? How many vents did you install and is there anything different you do now that you’ve been using it awhile? Also, if you don’t mind..how much did it cost parts and labor?

 

[jtdums]

Sorry I can't find the receipt for the heater and various parts that I bought, but I bought the "best" of the cheap heaters after doing a lot of internet sluething and even joining the facebook groups on diesel heaters. Lots of smarter people than me doing deep dives into them. I upgraded some of the parts that came with the kit, but all in it was only a couple hundred dollars.

I did the install myself so can't help you on that end of pricing.

Our 36' trawler has a vent into the main salon and one into aft primary bedroom. I had to go back and add a dampener on the vent to the bedroom to help in balancing the heat distribution better through the boat.

We are now in Alabama on our loop and the temperatures are supposed to go into the low 20's over the next couple of days. We will be on anchor for that time doing the lower rivers before Mobile, AL. Going to be a real test, but I feel pretty confident.

 

[Bay Retriever]

Wondering where you installed the actual heater and where the air-intake is coming from? Been thinking it may be a good idea to keep the air intake outside of the engine room where the heater may also be installed. I am meeting with my tech tomorrow to discuss whether we install a diesel heater or go with the hydronic type, which is a bit cheaper, but does only puts out heat while the engine is turning.