Propane Heaters

[bigtrout]

Do any of you out there use Propane heaters on your boat when you are anchored? I saw some at the store it looks like a good idea bad idea. Thanks

[CAGEY]

Hello bigtrout. Yes i use a propane heater all the time. I have used it for about 10 years and only burnt the sleeve off of two coats and one shirt. I have been lucky and never burned my boat up. If you want my opinion go the catalytic heater route. They may not produce as much heat but they are far safer. The kind i used to use was the round one with the grill work that you could even make coffee on but it was blistering hot and i will never use it in a boat again.They make a little square catalytic heater for golf carts that do a nice job and they dont take up much room and they are not very expensive. Maybe you will get some more ideas from other board members. Hope this helps you decide. Cagey.

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

They are very nice, especially if fishing from a covered boat/sled. Really helps to thaw out if you are fishing from an uncovered boat. Above all means, keep rods, jackets, etc. away from the flame.

Can we say en fuego?

[WheresMyBobber]

I carry a propane heater in the boat when it's cold or I have passengers that I think will want it. They're nice to have, but you have to be very careful.

So far I've caught my rain pants on fire while I was wearing them (do you smell something burning?), burned a hole in the arm of a brand new down jacket, burned my fishing line in half, and had a plastic garbage bag fly onto it and instantly burn and melt.

But - I've also used it to cook myself something hot to eat on cold rainy mornings.

My opinion - they're a good thing, but you've got to really watch things closely.


[This message has been edited by WheresMyBobber (edited 03-16-2001).]

If you attach a bigger tank, or otherwise
for that matter, place the entire unit
INSIDE something square and tie it in
good. Will not tip over as easy, easier
to transport etc. I have mine inside a
plastic square basket (like bulk milk
comes in) and it has not tipped over in the
with boat wakes, etc. for example.

Saved my old butt and the day, many times.

Someone told me that recent rulings says
they are perhaps "illegal" in a boat, but
so far no authorities have said anything
to me about it. Perhaps the above helped
with the safety aspect. Don't sleep with
it on or sit inside a drop curtain without
real good airflow though.

Rick

[RJ]

bigtrout I too have used propane for a number of years without any problems but I get chastised every year by a friend who lives and guides the lower rogue,he keeps telling me to get rid of that damn thing and go get a kerosene heater (been there too) can't stand the smell of those things, but what I do know is that I respect the potential for disaster I ALWAYS check the fitting for leaks after a refill and my heater goes in box made to fit a 5 gallon canister so there is no way it can tip over during travel and damage or create a bad situation.RJ

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http://www.fishhawk1.homestead.com

[Bait O' Eggs]

I have had a few propane boat heaters. I have been thru 2 of the round sunflower type that can be tipped vertical for heating or turned flat for cooking. They are nice and can be hooked to a 16 oz bottle or a short hose to a 5 gallon tank. The problem I had with these is the wire mesh at the center of the unit rust out pretty fast. I like to cook clams in the bay when playing and when they pop open and spill their salt water on the cooker it is only a matter of time before it rust out.

I just got a new one which has a ceramic back in it. I am told as long as I dont break the ceramic it will last basically forever. This unit does not lay flat for cooking and is hooked to a 5 gallon bottle of gas. It is a heating machine at 16000btu.

Cannot stress being careful enough. They are a fire danger (both boat and clothing) and flesh burning danger. Melts fishing line like it doesnt exist.

[DK]

boe didn't have to buy a new one you can buy replacement screens fairly cheep, just drill the rivits, they give you nut and bolts to replace the rivits or re revit them back on. watch out for the cermaic if you get it hot and cold water hits it kiss it good bye, i know you said it doesn't turn up for cooking, but watch out for rain water, keep warm dk

[WaterDog]

Got me a Mr Heater and a short hose so I can cook on it. Nothing like cooking Eggs and Bacon on the river. And yeah you better be careful. Wife and kids like the heat too.

[Killertraylor]

I can't get my wife to go with me without the heater. I use the bigger Mr. Heater when she goes - it's attached to a little 1.3 gallon propane tank that never tips over. It puts out lots of heat and will run over 10 hours on a tank. I also keep one of the smaller heaters on board that run off the smaller Coleman propane cylinders. Motion Marine makes a clever attachment for this style and I can mount it in different places on my boat which is nice. When we close the drop curtain on the hardtop the propane heater will make it incredibly cozy inside. I've had both of mine for several years with no problems with rusting through yet. I've seen several boats with built in Oil heaters in the cabin and stovepipes coming out the roof - they are real popular in Alaska and many of the Alaska gillnetters put them in their Oregon boats too. I'd love to have one of those but I'll bet they are spendy.

[Fish4Fun]

I have tried several diferent types of propane heaters. Like everybody has posted just be careful for leaks. The one I have now is the new Mr Heater "Portable Buddy" this one is approved for indoor use. NO SMELL is the biggest thing I like with this unit.

Fish 4 fun

[Spooled]

I have a Coleman catalytic style heater (I think it is called the Black Cat) that works fine. It will not burn jackets, rods etc. as there is no flame. It puts out enough heat for the people seated in the front of my drift boat. They are compact and cost about $50.00. According to the instructions it can be used indoors or in a tent.

[Fishplay]

The new Coleman catalytic looks like an excellent option to me. They're indoor safe and put out less BTU's. The Mr. Heater is too hot HOT for me! They need more low heat settings. The only problem I see with the new ones is if adapted to bulk tank they require fab work on the stand.
Anyone using these yet have some input.

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FISH!........GET IN THE BOAT!!!!!

[HOGTIDE]

Heaters are a nice luxury, that often make it bearable enough to stick out a cold day of anchor fishing...like today. I use my propane heater frequently, but I have great respect for it. Check fittings all of the time and keep it in a square bucket with an extended plywood footing so it won't tip over. My present propane unit is made by Coleman and has an ignition button on the back. No more matches and no more singed hair on my hand...just press the button for a warm flame.

Saw three guys bail out of a driftboat on the lower Wilson one November morning. Their catalytic heater had a major flame(6'high) and had taken over the craft...kinda funny now to see the glowing boat drift down around the corner, as the sun rose....anyway...I guess it's funny now...for me, anyway.

[MetalHead]

I use a propane Mr. Heater on a 1.3 gallon tank in my boat in the winter duck hunting (my dog likes it). I also have a kerosun (kerosene) heater that I use when anchored or trolling (my wife likes it)it is large and very stable and goes out if tipped over. Years ago when I had a driftboat (before the first divorce) I had 2 Mr. Heaters mounted in it, 1 under the bow and 1 under the rowing seat and they both ran off a 5 gallon tank mounted in the back of the boat. I havent burnt up anything while duck hunting, anchored or trolling, but I melted a couple of pairs of rain pants to my legs in the drift boat. My expirience says the propane puts out alot more heat but the kerosun in alot safer.

[nwjetboat]

If you use bulk propane tank, like a 1.5 gal with the heater directly attached, use a tank holder. They are made of plastic, so no rust or rot, and cost about $9.00 at GI Joes. The tank fits snugly inside and will not tip over.

[Phunybonz]

Just a note on the legal issue. I recently went thru an on river inspection. I had my heater in a plastic crate as mentioned above. I passed the exam with the heater out in plain view. I am going to interpet this as being legal.

[dogfishboy]

We,ve got "three hairy beasts" (dogs) and need to make sure both tanks are secured to the railings and above dog level in the cockpit area. Heck... I even strap a 2gal. tank to the bench in front of me on my 12 ' er at anchor AND trolling. In the skiff, I try to keep it away from the gas tank.

[FishinMission]

This'll sound like a commercial for Coleman...but here goes. They also make a propane heater that kicks butt on all the rest. And usually they're less expensive too. I used to use the Mr. Heater's, but got tire of them blowing out in wind gusts. The Coleman won't blow out, and even comes with a push button igniter. I got mine at Home Depot last year on close-out for 28 bucks...I think they regularly sell for about $38. I will never buy anything other than the Coleman. Also they're designed so that you can actually touch the shield around the burner without burning yourself, but you still need to use caution. They really kick out the heat, and kick butt over all the others!! THe cheapie comes at 15,000 BTU's, but they also make more deluxe powerful models for more $$$$$. The 15,000 is fine...I'd go with that one. Satisfaction guaranteed!!!

[fishhead5]

This set up is for the front of drift boats. Parts needed are, propane heater, short piece of insulated stove pipe, 2 pieces of sheet metal, metal dryer flex pipe, variable speed bilge blower. Cut all the metal off around the propane heater. cut a slot in the piece of stove pipe and secure the heater in the stove pipe.(you need to leave room around the heater for air to get by) Then you need to attach the sheet metal on the back of the stove pipe, makeing a cone so you can hook the dryer flex pipe on to it, then attach the bilge blower on to the flex pipe. Take the other piece of sheet metal and do the same on the front of the stove pipe so you can attach a front to it for the heat to come out. This all attaches underneath the front of the boat. You will never have to set the above its lowest setting and the people up front will be toasty warm. No hot burners to burn stuff on. The only downfall is you have to let it cool down with the fan after you shut the heat off.

Fishhead5

[Eric]

Maybe you guys can help me out with a related question.

I am looking for the round, "sunflower" type heater that screws on to a propane tank that you can tilt down flat for cooking. They seem to be hard to come by anymore. I haven't seen where mr. heater or coleman offer these currently (and I have looked!) maybe I'm looking in the wrong places. Everything I'm seeing these days is the kind that are permanently upright.

I know mr. heater has the cheap little wire stand that you can flip. It uses a little disposable coleman bottle but that's not what I'm looking for. I want the kind you can screw on to a larger propane tank.

Anybody know who sells these and where?

Thanks in advance.

[Salmonator]

Eric, there is an adapter hose you can buy that connects the mr. heaters to a bulk tank. I have a 1.3 gallon tank that lasts 7 or 8 hours for less than two bucks worth of propane compared to 4 or 5 screw on canisters costing 6 to 10 bucks...

[BUGLEMAN]

Most places that sells propane stuff has an adapter that screws to a bulk tank and on the other end has the coleman bottle type fitting. I then use hose made up with the colman type fittings to connect to my mr heater or stove or what ever. It is a great system. For camping I have a distribution post that runs all the good stuff.

I plan on using a small 1 gal. tank for the drift boat to fuel a Mr heater and connecting with the above hose. --- Is mounting the Mr heater (type with the metal framing ) under my aluminum bow for the front seat a good idea? Would it be to hot? What do some of the sages think about my plan?