Best diesel-fired boat heater for aluminum cabin boats? Not looking for stove/oven, just some heat...

Dan, how did you like the Fusion Ipod deck?

I want to upgrade electronics too...thinking of going Garmin this time and ditching the Raymarine. Is the touchscreen stuff worth a go?

I'm thinking hard about a getting a cabin welded on my 19' Pacific, and then going with a heater, music, etc.

We did the Espar D4, and it does work. Think we might need to insulate our roof a bit, but the heater does a good job of knocking the cold off. Installation isn't as bad as it seems once you start drilling holes.

Can't really comment on the others except to say that we've heard a few bitches about wallas and webasto and just avoided them. Plus, there is an Espar dealer in town now....

The fusion is on its second boat, and still going strong...

I'm pretty happy with my raymarine. I had it dialed into those kings this summer while handtrolling. Honestly couldn't' ask for anything better on my little boat.

It's nice to be out of the elements when boating around. As much of a PITA our boat canvas can be, it's definitely nice to hide behind.

I've been pretty happy with our Raymarine over the past 5yrs, but now it has some quirks and idiosyncracies that drive me a little nuts.

Think it's easier to buy new than sort things out with 'customer service', and updates only seem to add another layer of 'WTF is wrong now?'

Think Bill and I should look into the espar heaters for both boats, maybe D4 and D2. Obviously after this many years without a heater, it's not necessary, but it would make life easier on overnight and multi-day winter trips.

I understand that next year drop bows will be all the rage.

Yeah, a buddy of mine has an old beat up landing scow I've had my eye on for years. Trouble is he wants like $25k (maybe even more!) for what's essentially a $15k ride.

If it had Yamaha power, I could probably talk myself into $20k on it, but I think it's got a Nissan or something hanging off the back.

Grin...

too funny, I seem to remember a conversation about said boat not to long ago. I figure you'd of offered him 20k for it and told him to keep the nissan.......grin

shh...he might be reading this...grin.