Cockpit Heater

[Challenger604]

Hello fellow boaters. I am wanting to install a cockpit heater to our Chap 23 Surf. I know many surf boats have these installed under a seat with a hose you pull out and a small blower fan on the end. Has anyone installed these on theirs. I did see one that uses engine heat but that seems a tad involved. I haven't found an electrical one online but thought that would be the most straight forward way to do this.
Thoughts?

 

[Iggy]

You are better off coming off the engine. No different than a hot water heater found on most boats. Cut a hose and put the heater in line. This works great with a closed cooling system. On a open system, its going to run a little cooler.

The only electric ones run off of 120v. Which means, bigger house bank, at least a 2000w inverter and maybe a bigger Alt. With a 1500w heater, at 12v = 120amps.

 

[Denny]

Like Iggy said, make your own, I did. Being in the automotive trade, it was easy for me. I got 2 heater cores and a squirrel cage type fan and made a box to put them in. Added 2 water lines 1 going with a pump from the manifold and 1 returning to the exhaust. I mounted mine under my helm seat with 3 exhaust vents. With your inclosier up as a windbreak it is like riding in your car.