www.iFourWinns.com

I'm storing my boat this winter in a storage unit that isn't heated. I have winterized the boat (correctly I hope) and would like a little extra insurance. The storage unit I'm using has electricity and I would like to use a small cheap heater for the bilge area. I've seen the expensive units ($300-$400) and didn't really want to spend that much money. Is there a safe/cheap small heater with a thermostat that I could use?

_________________
Derek
94 FourWinns Freedom 170
Blue Ridge Mtns. of NC

I may get blasted for this, by the Safety Nazis, but ........

I use a standard 120-volt space heater for the bilge, when the weather gets cold at night, until I get the engine winterized. We like to do late season boating and heating the bilge is the only way to do it once the nights start to drop to freezing.

I use the small 900/1500 watt ceramic space heaters that have a fan. They run $20 to $30 at the department stores. They have tip protection and over-temp protection.

I place the heater in an open spot, so it is not too close to anything and run it on the 900 watt setting with the thermostat turned to the lowest setting. Depending on the specific heater, this will keep the engine compartment at anywhere from 40 to 50 degrees. I also use a cheap remote digital thermostat kit with the sending unit in the bilge (on the other side, away from the heater) with the digital head unit in the house, so I can keep an eye on the temps.

BUT .......

Once I finally do the full winterizing, I don't run the heater anymore. If you have free electricity, though, you won't hurt anything if you do want to run a heater.

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

I have a Benaso BoatSafe BSAT 750 bilge heater in my 298 Vista but given the fact that you are out of the water and in a controlled environment without heat, I agree that a "tip protection ceramic heater" would be a wise choice as long as no gas vapors are present (in other words, I don't think I would put it in the bilge). Believe it or not, my Carver 406MY didn't have a bilge heater in it so I just ran the heat at 60 degrees during the winter with all the interior engine hatches open. I don't see how you would be doing anything different.

_________________

Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

I've even thought about a shop light with a 100 watt lightbulb in the bilge area. I just want to keep it a few degrees above freezing. I would keep it raised off the bottom and away from anything flammable. How much heat would a 100 watt bulb generate? Crazy idea or not?

_________________
Derek
94 FourWinns Freedom 170
Blue Ridge Mtns. of NC

If you put any value at all on the boat, just get the proper heater.

Light bulbs burn out where as a heater is designed to stay running.

Residential portable heaters don't usually default to turning themselves back on in the event of losing power.

And make sure you've insured the boat properly.

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Well since space heater was thrown out there, why not a small campfire in the bilge? Really get a bilge heater if worse comes to worse get a space heater for the storage building and not the bilge. Till the landlord finds out.

_________________

I have seen the 750 watt boatsafe for 375 bucks, free shipping, no tax... small price to pay considering the benefits.

Although remember - if the power goes it, it doesn't do any good.

_________________

2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Go to the pharmacy and get a small heating pad been using it for years no problems or worries.

Gregg

I just sold a boatsafe 750W that came with my 268 for $150 on eBay, seemed like a nice unit.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Isn't there an engine block heater that simply goes in a welsh plug hole in the block and plugs into 110V? I recall these being quite common in Canada for automobiles to stop the blocks freezing. Don't draw much current, and certainly safer than a fan heater!

_________________


Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

You make an excellent point. this would offer the ultimate protection because it would heat the block from the inside out and the block would become a large radiator that would then keep the bilge warm. I know that when I plug in my blockheater on the diesel tractor that the snow melts from the hood in about an hour! The other problem is that these things don't go off and on they stay on continuously (1500 W) so will suck some major juice. I wonder if you could wire them through a line voltage thermostat?

One of these would be something to consider for instances such as described by M3eater but not as a full on winterization treatment.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Glad we get to run all year down in Ft. Myers Florida - no winterizing

There are thermostatically controlled switches that could be used for the block heater to only turn on when the ambient temp. is below an adjustable set point. Unfortunately I can't remember where I've seen them in the past.

This would help limit electrical power useage for when you don't need it for ambient temps above freezing.

As noted though, once the heater is on, it stays on continuously, sucking up juice regardless of coolant/engine temp achieved.

_________________
Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

Does Al Gore know know that you Northerners are already talking about winterizing your boats prior to Labor Day? The last I heard from that asshole was that you all would never see snow again.

_________________

Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic