12v Heater

[mf01]

Has anyone ever put a 12v heater in their boat? I know it sounds trashy, but I would only use for few weeks a year. Also, I understand it couldn't get wet. I just don't want to spend $400+ for a system I would hardly use. Here's a cheap one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORTA...spagenameZWDVW

[DanielC]

RE: 12v Heater

150 Watts is not much heat in an open air environment.

[todda]

RE: 12v Heater

If you only need to use it for a short period of time (assuming your temps aren't getting too awfully low) you might consider a magnetic block heater. I bought one at NAPA, and it worked great for the few nights that it dipped into freezing temps. I think it was 300W, and it radiated quite a bit of heat. I kept a temp guage in my engine case just out of curiosity, and it never dipped below 38 deg, when the outside temps were in the 20's overnight. I still would drain my exhaust manifolds (more out of paranoia) and it is easy and quick enough to do, for those in-between days when we weren't getting out every day due to weather/temps.

[mf01]

RE: 12v Heater

I was actually thinking about using one on the lake to keep the passenger(s) warm. Last winter was the coldest I've seen here (got into the lower 30's). I have a thermometer in my garage and it didn't get below 50. I'll pull the block plugs, but probably nothing more.