www.svbeatrix.com — The website of the Sailing Vessel Beatrix, Kelly-Peterson 44 #276 (1980).
We didn't want to give up our locker across from the forward head, so KP44 Beatrix has installed a Wallas 40D Diesel Heater, available from Scan Marine in Seattle. It is a forced air, diesel-powered unit which is clean-burning, low in electrical consumption, and nicely variable in heat output. Fairly easy to install, too. The hard part was running the 3" flexible ducting to service four outlet vents: one in the forward cabin, two in the main cabin, and one in the aft cabin.
The heater works fine in heating the boat in Seattle winters. The two forward-most vents need have a booster fan to work most efficiently and that is on the list.
Specs are:
Heat output -4,000 to 14,000 BTU
Fuel consumption - 0.12-0.42 qt./hr
Current draw - 2.5 to 3.9 AMP
Dimensions - 5.5" D x 15-1/2" L x 12" H
Weight - 22lbs
They claim "low noise" and we found it acceptable during the day, but too loud for "quiet time". I installed some sound mufflers bought at a swap meet (available as part of the Ardic system) which eliminated the noise traveling down the duct, and paneling around the unit itself should reduce the noise to a whisper.
The ducting runs aft through the closet and forward through the wet locker to a vent under the nav station sole. The two forward-most vents are reached by ducting through the wet locker, against the hull at the nav station into the starboard settee and then to the locker forward of the settee. The vents are under that locker and under the forward cabin closet. It was a hard job with involving creative work with a hole saw and much loss of skin from the arms, but we are happy with the results.
The first photo below shows how the main heating unit is installed above the starboard fuel tank. It will be paneled in to reduce noise. Notice the rectangular aluminum fresh air intake to the right of the picture: this takes outside air from inside the cockpit coaming. Fresh air is also drawn from inside through the black tube at the right. The flexible exhaust duct at top runs through the cockpit coaming and out to a deck fitting.
The silver corrugated cartridges are the silencers. Another silencer is in the aft closet. A plywood panel will eventually seal off the hoses from view and damage. The 3" flex duct is surrounded by 1" Rubatex foam insulation.
Also visible in the last photo are the rerouted deck drains (white hoses), which now work thanks to the vertical drop.
Purchased from:
Scan Marine Equipment, Inc. 2144 Westlake Ave, N., Suite D.
Seattle, WA 98109 1-888-606-6665 (206) 285-3675 Fax (206) 285-9532
Disclaimer
The contents of this page are an example of a refitting job performed on a single vessel by its owner. Just because I put it here for your interest and information does not guarantee it will work on your boat, or work at all. Fair winds & smooth sailing. -- Jeff Stander
