| You may already own a boat and enjoy the relaxing | | | | own boat, Cygnus Vedrae, is sixty years old, wood, |
| lifestyle that boating allows. If this is the case you | | | | uninsulated and very easy to keep warm in winter. |
| probably know a number of boaters who either | | | | The main heating types. |
| live-aboard or spend their summers cruising for | | | | Standard gas fire. Some modern gas fires for boats |
| extended periods, sometimes months on end. When | | | | are outside vented. The older ones, of which there |
| you see other people enjoying the long term boating | | | | are still many, are not vented. This is the worst form |
| life it's normal to feel a little jealous and to think 'what | | | | of heating you could possibly have on a boat. Not |
| if...' | | | | only do they use a lot of gas, they also produce |
| In many ways living on a boat full time is very similar | | | | gallons of water which condenses everywhere, very |
| to extended cruising. The big differences include the | | | | uncomfortable when you're living on a boat. |
| fact that most extended cruisers will choose any | | | | Blown hot air. Many boats use this form of heating, |
| season but winter to go on their travels. For | | | | and burn either gas or diesel. The heat from the fuel |
| live-aboards, winter is a fact of life. It has to be dealt | | | | passes through a heat exchanger, the fumes are |
| with and prepared for. Another big difference that | | | | exhausted outside the boat leaving dry hot air inside. |
| affects full time live-aboards is that when they move | | | | Another benefit of this type of heating is that it can |
| away from a house and onto a boat, so much 'stuff' | | | | also heat your on board calorifier, giving you plenty |
| has to go. You have to make decisions regarding | | | | of hot water. Although this is a clean and |
| what you can take with you. Much will have to be | | | | comfortable heat, it is also quite expensive. Over |
| left behind. | | | | recent years the cost of these fossil fuels has |
| Something that should be considered before making | | | | rocketed. |
| the transition from house to boat, is your relationship | | | | Solid and multi-fuel stoves. Without a doubt these are |
| with anyone that you are intending to move with. On | | | | the most economical to run because it's never |
| a boat of a typical size, say around 40 feet and less, | | | | difficult to pick up free wood when you're afloat. |
| there is very little space for privacy. If your | | | | They also produce dry heat and can also used to |
| relationship with your partner is a little rocky in a | | | | provide hot water for central heating and masses of |
| house, it's unlikely to be improved in the confines of | | | | hot water for the galley and shower etc. Since there |
| a boat. If you are strong together before the move | | | | are no moving or electrical parts they are also |
| you stand a much better chance, and so does your | | | | extremely reliable.The downside of this type of |
| relationship. | | | | stove is that they do need to be cleaned out |
| I mentioned the dreaded word 'winter' earlier. It | | | | regularly and emptied. They are not as convenient as |
| doesn't have to be bad news. Most modern steel and | | | | hot air heating but over the course of a winter you |
| glass fibre boats are insulated from new. Living | | | | will save a small fortune in heating cost. They also |
| aboard an older steel or glass fibre that may be | | | | provide a focal point in the cabin. |
| uninsulated could well be uncomfortable, or very | | | | One last thing. Anything with the word 'marine' |
| expensive to keep warm. Older wooden boats are | | | | attached is generally more expensive. In many cases |
| less of a problem in this regard. Wood doesn't | | | | it's quite easy to safely adapt none marine products |
| transmit heat or cold as much as these other two | | | | for use aboard. |
| materials and so is much easier to keep warm. My | | | | |