Drift boat Heater

fishhog4u · 01-12-2009, 10:14 PM

Looking for some pictures hopefully that show the mounting of the heater up front on my DB. I have a mr header dual burner that I was considering using, or should I get a single burner set-up.

Planning on sticking the tank behind the rowers seat in a milkcrate. You know lo tech

Thanks in advance.

weekender · 01-13-2009, 08:42 AM

I dont have any photos of mine, but I've got some advice.

I used a single burner mr heater. Had a buddy weld me up a L shaped bracket that we riveted down under the front deck. Used a pair of stainless hose clamps to attach the heater to the bracket. I bought a 12' mr heater hose from Amazon.com and drilled a hole in the front deck. Bought a grommet to keep the aluminum from cutting the hose. Pulled my floors and ran the hose to the back of the boat exiting under the rowers seat on the port side. This way the two gallon tank sits on the opposite side of my boat than the anchor hangs. I dont use an milk crate, just a short bungy around the tank to the rowers seat.

The first time I mounted the heater I set it back about 10" so no one would melt their raingear or waders. The front deck simply got too hot. I moved it forward flush with the front deck and it works great now.

The boat is due for new coat-it on the bottom and when I roll it over for that, I'll probably add some fireproof insulation to underside of the top deck. I like to leave my leaders and bait up there and I worry about things cooking.

I will say, it's amazing how much of the chill that heater takes off. It is very suprising and I never run it hotter than low. It makes me wish I had the "oven style" front deck. Then the heater could be set back to the original position and we could warm food up in the oven. It would be the best of both worlds.

fishhog4u · 01-13-2009, 01:06 PM

Sounds about right there Weekender.

Thanks!!!

fishhog4u · 01-13-2009, 01:15 PM

Was kind of hoping you Willie guys could post up a pic or two of the forced air system.

River Ranger · 01-14-2009, 09:24 AM

IMHO, the forced air system is a waste. I have been in boats that have them and I could not feel it from the seats. The idea sounds good but just does not do much.

I will never own a drifter with a built in heater. I prefer the Mr heater as well. use it when needed, which is rare. Much less expensive and just as effective as a built in unit, IMHO.

Not to mention a built in unit uses precious storage.

RR.

fishhog4u · 01-15-2009, 08:29 AM

Was wondering that myself. That and I assume that there needs to be a battery stored somewhere which as you mentioned takes up space, and adds weight!

weekender · 01-21-2009, 06:23 AM

I love my built in. I'll have one in every DB I ever own. It's out of the way, the tanks in the back of the boat out of the way, and I never have to deal with it. I fire the thing up all the time this time of year. It takes the chill off and normally by around 10:00 we turn it off because it gets too warm. I checked my 2 gallon tank the other day and its about half full. That is after nine trips this winter.