Reason #4,368 why I dont trust nor believe in engine room heaters as a substitute for proper winterizing in the cold geographical areas. I Had a call yesterday that a clients engine room heat in their Rinker was not working when they went down to do a periodic check on their boat. After investigating that ALL outlets on the starboard side were out, I found Heater was plugged into a GFI outlet and had to go find the one that had the pushbutton (Usually in the head). First thing, if it's a gas boat outlets are not allowed and will be a failure of a survey. Diesels are allowed tho. Dont know when the GFI breaker popped. She thanked me for resetting and showing her where it was located and sent me on my way. Just dont trust em… but we only do what the client asks. Remember. You are trusting anywhere from 30-60k of iron and an upcoming season to enjoy with a 300.00 heater that requires power. It's your decision....
Lee
I like to drain all water from my 427s and use engin room heaters for double protection.Tight squeez!
I agree, heat isn't really a substitute for winterization. Only reason I would heat instead of winterizing would be if I were planning to use the boat during the winter. And then I'd plan to keep the entire boat heated in some form and I'd want block heaters on the engines and generator (they wouldn't need to be very high wattage as they can run 24/7, heating up quickly isn't a requirement).
Remote temperature and power monitoring would be a good idea as well, that way any issues can be noticed and dealt with before anything gets damaged.
Come on down South guys - saves you lots of work doing winterizing stuff!
I’ve never heard or read that 120 volt outlets are not permitted on gas powered boats… all three of my Commanders have outlets…
There's no prohibition on outlets on board, but because of ignition protection requirements, outlets in a gas engine room or fuel tank space would be a problem unless you used extremely expensive explosion proof outlets and plugs. I don't know of any other outlet setup that would meet ignition protection requirements.
Outside of the engine room and fuel tank space, outlets are no problem.
Guys, You will find out the next time you have a survey performed. (ask me how I know) They are not allowed in engine spaces unless the engines are diesel. Anything installed in the engine space must be hardwired to ABYC Specs and not plugged in.
Ok, that makes more sense. My 38 does have an outlet on the back wall of the engine room, where the battery charger is plugged in. Guess I better fix that!
Jim easy fix!! Where the outlet is take out the outlet and add a simple plastic junction box and hardwire the two together and close. Do not use wire nuts but butt connectors. Wire nuts are outlawed anywhere on the boat. Be sure that outlet is on a breaker on the panel too.
Yup. Except my boat is a 67 and does not have breakers, it has the old glass fuses… at least on the 12 volt side. Not sure where the 120 controls are, haven’t found them yet.
Look under Galley sink. Probably old style household fuses. Tyats where the 120 stuff usually is on a 31.
Yep, but I took out the glass fuses, and replaced with a BlueSeas breaker box with six circuits👍. Four took care of existing stuff, and added two 20amp circuits for AC and new water heater. Will probably have to do some ‘load mgt’ if I want to use all circuits on my 30 amp system. Decided to go with 9000 btu ac/heater - having new pfyfertex exterior covers made for windows- should help with sun/ heat. Thanks for all of the suggestions.
The yacht Club where I keep my boat does not allow heaters on boats in winter storage. We can wet store 40 boats. We install 102 bubblers for the winter to keep the docks from freezing, which allows open water for boats. I have winterized several boats over the years and never felt the need to add a heater for the winter.
If you look on line for an answer to the question of a 110 outlet in a gas engine room, you will get mixed and somewhat confusing answers. I asked my son, a recent graduate of IYRS in Newport R.I. He is ABYC certified in marine electrical systems among other certs. His answer was clear and short, No.
Mine’s a 38 but now that you mention it, I think I have seen a box under the sink, next to the oven.
Charles, how difficult was the Blue Seas conversion? I must have fifteen fuses in the 12 volt panel, most not labeled.
James - it was challenge, but I’ve done a lot of electrical work on other boats, so completed it in one day, by the book ie ABYC
The reason I drain all water from my motors especially is I was a lineman and line foreman over 30 years and anything can happen you wouldn’t even think of besides a weather event to cause power to go out for unknown amount of time for repairs and marinas are not a priority just something to think about.