Baller sagilbert Posted November 24, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 24, 2019 I recently purchased a 2009 S/N 196 that does not have a heater. I installed a heater on a previous boat, and it was pretty much a PITA to install. That said, is there a portable electric heater out there that might work reasonably well in a towboat environment? With the previous boat, we used the heater for, perhaps, 15 -18 days (total) each season. Thus, the inconvenience of having a small portable heater sitting in front of the driver would not be a big deal. We ski on a private ski lake (one boat out at a time). Thus, a portable heater should stay stable, with very little rock & roll. Thanks for any insights you may have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Lars Posted November 24, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 24, 2019 Anything plugged into an accessory circuit usually can't draw more than 10 Amps. Assuming 15V, you've got 150W or 511 BTU to work with. Hot water heaters are 20,000 to 40,000 BTU. An electric one would barely do anything. Installing my 40,000 btu heater was a nice winter project and I'm sure glad I have it on those few days a year I need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skihacker Posted November 24, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 24, 2019 Another option might be an aftermarket heated seat kit, no plumbing involved, just wiring and staples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted November 24, 2019 Baller_ Share Posted November 24, 2019 I think you would need some sort of 110/125 volt inverter to provide more than 12V DC accessory power to an electric heater substantial enough to make a difference. Probably something like a 2000 watt inverter to power a 1500 watt AC powered heater. Both components would need to be marine rated and the output amperage of the inverter would probably need to be about 15 amps. I'm guessing that the inverter component could be expensive. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted November 24, 2019 Baller_ Share Posted November 24, 2019 You might also need a couple of batteries and a high output alternator to provide the capacity needed to drive that inverter. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skihacker Posted November 24, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 24, 2019 Dorman makes 12 volt aftermarket automotive seat heater kits, they actually work quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller mmskiboat Posted November 24, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 24, 2019 Another option that would be to look at the heater jackets that they have for people that work outside. Probably much easier to just try and heat the person rather than the air around them. Here is one from Amazon - ORORO Men's Soft Shell Heated Jacket with Detachable Hood and Battery Pack for $150 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 @MISkier never convert to AC if you don't have to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted November 25, 2019 Baller_ Share Posted November 25, 2019 @BraceMaker, one reason why I installed the regular heater, heated seat, and hot water shower in my boat. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Rednucleus Posted November 25, 2019 Baller_ Share Posted November 25, 2019 @cougfan installed a nice heater in his Malibu last year (not a heatercraft) - but is a standard hot water system - but REALLY nice & toasty and well worth my friend's effort to install it for me!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller eyepeeler Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 ALWAYS have a hot water heater in a boat. No question about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller EFW Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 I'm dating myself but years ago Malibu had this interesting heater ( or scavenger ) that was basically a fan on the engine box that sucked the heat from under the cover and expelled it forward. Free heat. I thought it was a great idea but was discontinued. Someone had told me it was an issue involving the USCG or some regulatory agency over safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 @EFW I think they discontinued that system at the same time as the engine cover ashtray and cigarette lighter :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted November 25, 2019 Administrators Share Posted November 25, 2019 I love seat heaters but I flat out don't get how anybody uses the other heater system. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Become a Supporting Member or make a One-time Donation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skihacker Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 The malibu we traded last fall I had rigged the heater so that the driver could put ALL the heat at his or her feet through 2 three inch tubes, just sit down with a heavy dry towel from waist down and tuck the tubes in with your feet, so comfy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller EFW Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 @ALPJr You're kidding me right? But think of all the heat hours later when you open up the cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LOTW Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 When you ski early or late season the heater is a huge plus. My hands are often so numb that I can't feel the steering wheel on the drive home from the course, which is a 10-15 boat ride. Raynods Syndrom I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 @EFW great way to expose the boat crew to CO fumes. Leaky heater boxes on a Porsche did the same thing. If you want really good heat you need to take a line off the block through a coolant recirculation pump to a heater core. Most of these systems stink because they don't use a pump to circulate coolant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller cougfan Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 @Horton there is usually a switch on the dash that says “heater” with a low, medium and high setting. Turn it to the desired setting to get the amount of warm air you want. ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BobF Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 +1 for "Just go ahead and install the Heatercraft". It only takes a long afternoon, and after the first hole is cut, the pucker factor goes down significantly. Being able to stuff that heater tube up your shirt after a chilly set is well worth it imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 @Horton you need to configure your tubes and air dams correctly but heater makes a huge difference if you do. On my Response LX, if you wedge a fleece jacket or some towels or something between the driver and observer seat, you get a nice warm vortex of hot air even at 34 MPH from a single heat tube by the driver's feet. I also have a tube for passengers which works great if you combine it with a blanket. Outside of Florida, heater is a must-have IMO even moreso than seat heaters or a shower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller vtjc Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 I have a 08 196 I plan to install a heater in it this spring. I was pleasantly surprised to find wiring under the dash in my Limited for the heater. After adding a heater and hot/cold shower to my 99 MasterCraft SportStar I know the installs can be a pain. For my heater install, I plan to add a small electric pump to circulate hot water through the heater core, when the engine is off or idling. I probably won’t be adventurous enough to install a vent in front of the dash for a defroster. I have used seat heaters in ski boats as well, they don’t replace the hot air heaters for your feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 One other thing I do if it's real cold and I don't have a third pax in the boat is stuff the heat tube into my jacket, inside the towel I have wrapped around my waist, etc. Gets really toasty if you wear something like a heavy baggy fleece over your damp wetsuit, then stick the heat tube inside your jacket. Great way to keep the muscles and body nice and warm between sets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Orlando76 Posted November 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 25, 2019 Lawdy the bad advice given here.... I just can’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller powbmps Posted November 26, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 26, 2019 What could go wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ReallyGottaSki Posted November 26, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 26, 2019 Date nights in the boat go infinitely better with a heater, just sayin.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MDB1056 Posted November 26, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 26, 2019 Sorry to go against the grain here but I'd NOT install a heater at all. Invariably they leak which can lead to a variety of problems. Have never had one that didn't. Thrown them all away. Plenty of other ways to stay warm for the short time of a winter set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Bookm_dano Posted November 26, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 26, 2019 The heater is probably the best mod I've made to the boat since I've had it. Installed it in 1998 Sportstar in 2015 with no leaks yet. Did away with the 'Y' fitting after two years and plumbed the return into the circulation pump with a $50 12 volt boost pump. One outlet blows directly on driver's feet; the extension hose on the other outlet goes in wife's lap with beach towel over it. Makes the apres ski slow cruise way better. Tried a portable heating pad on driver's seat but couldn't really feel it through wet suit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Keith_Menard Posted November 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 27, 2019 Other than @powbmps you all are a bunch of amateurs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller vtjc Posted November 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 27, 2019 I am considering a Rinse Kit https://rinsekit.com/ as a way to have warm water in the boat. Will allow to that appendages after spring skiing in cold water, can move it to friends boats without showers as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller EFW Posted November 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 27, 2019 @BraceMaker No- these aren't air cooled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted November 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 27, 2019 @EFW correct however leaks around manifolds exhaust clamps etc can let CO leak. Air cooled Porsches pumped hot air from the exhaust header boxes into the cabin. Which is sort of my point you don't want that air pumped around the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted November 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 27, 2019 Was out on a chilly morning this morning here in AZ. The aforementioned heater works great. Second trick is to fill a cooler with the hottest water you can before heading out. Keep gloves in there with a small scoop or cup to dump into bindings, into wetsuits, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Rednucleus Posted November 27, 2019 Baller_ Share Posted November 27, 2019 And if you have a hot water shower in the boat you can fill the ice chest with that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swc5150 Posted November 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 27, 2019 @Horton I swear by heaters in boats. With fresh water cooling, they work great if you install the Y pipe Heatercraft makes. Take the pull out hose and place it under your towel, and you'll stay nice and toasty on a cold WI day. In tandem with seat heaters and your golden! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller sagilbert Posted November 27, 2019 Author Baller Share Posted November 27, 2019 Thanks for the various suggestions. I suppose putting a new fresh water heater in is the way to go, but I found the battery operated heater jacket and portable shower quite intriguing. Of course, the wood stove beside the driver would do a better job than all of those! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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