Saber 28: Bulkhead heater

 Adding a heater to a sailboat can really lengthen the season for overnighting.  Without a heater it is mild weather only for overnight comfort.

The Saber is a small boat.  The difficulty is finding space to mount a unit.  On the plus side, because the interior volume of the cabin is small, a little heater can do the trick.

Looking at the commercially available stoves was off putting.  They can be compact but are expensive.

So after researching the options, I came up with the idea to make a "solid fuel"  heater with my welding abilities.  But for safety and convenience, the solid fuel turned into canned heat.

I found a type of chaffing fuel canned heat called XTremeHeat.  These cans are slightly oversize and are not jellied alcohol.  They are a liquid with a built in wick and put out significantly more heat than Sterno.

The heater will burn for 4 hours plus and warms the cabin comfortably in weather down to the low 40s.  In North Carolina this makes it possible to overnight comfortably all but a week or two a year.

I was happy to trade the heating limitations for the super safe form factor of this solution.

Here are photos:

The heater in action.  A crystal viewing glass allows for monitoring the flame.
The top will not boil water but will keep the pot nice and hot.  Notice the fan at right.  It circulates cabin air over the heater.

The flu exits the cabin on the side of the house to preserve limited deck space.

The brass key secures a tray holding the can. With a twist it tightens.