Portable Heaters in Boats

  • jeff_huberty
    Inactive
    Posts: 4941
    November 22, 2011 at 11:19 am #1274647

    Just wondering if anyone uses portable heaters while out on open water?

    outdoor_guy
    Norway,Michigan (In DA UP)
    Posts: 165
    November 22, 2011 at 11:31 am #1011161

    I use a single head unit attached to a 1lb. cylinder.
    I carved up a piece of high density closed cell foam to
    lock it into a small storage/step area between the windshield walk through area. Also made a Lexan wind block for the area below the swinging portion of the windshield. Cozy on those late nights in the fall.

    nick
    Lakeville, MN
    Posts: 4977
    November 22, 2011 at 12:10 pm #1011167

    Fyi propane is heavier than air, so if you were to have a leak or something it will sit and pool in low spots inside your boat, a fair amount of caution should be used.

    grumpy
    Iowa, Clinton
    Posts: 489
    November 22, 2011 at 12:17 pm #1011168

    nope, I wouldn’t do it. Something about 20gal of gas and something for ignition (possible) just me

    tony_apisa
    E. Moline Illinois along the Rock River
    Posts: 1180
    November 22, 2011 at 12:40 pm #1011171

    I had a 7 gallon metal bucket that was line with fire brick and it had a grate on top. It doubled as a heater and grill. Nothing better than having grilled brats,hambuger and venison for lunch on a cold day on the river.

    85lund
    Menomonie, WI
    Posts: 2317
    November 22, 2011 at 1:07 pm #1011181

    Wont catch me with one. Hand warmers and the right clothing keeps me plenty warm. I wont take the risk of burning my boat, I know what it does to an ice shack

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    November 22, 2011 at 1:09 pm #1011182

    Least with an ice shack a person can get out quickly.

    I’ve seen a number of boats with heaters in them. They’ve all made me cringe. But they sure do feel good I’m sure!

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13294
    November 22, 2011 at 1:25 pm #1011187

    Cant say I have ever been out in weather where one was needed. Wear the right clothing and a heater will be one less thing to mess with and clutter up the boat. Some hand warmers or a thermos of coffee will sure help keep a guy warm to. Cold beverages have the opposite effect and can drop core temps almost instantly bringing on the chills.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    November 22, 2011 at 1:29 pm #1011188

    There have been a few days where I’ll run a sunflower heater on a 10lb tank. I set the tank in a milk carton container so it won’t tip over. Nice to warm up hands quickly after getting wet. Never had a problem, just be careful. Of course, turn it off when running from spot to spot!

    -J.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    November 22, 2011 at 1:37 pm #1011189

    I will run a sunflower some years on the opener. I trust myself in a boat, right next to a sunflower, more than I do a furnace in the basement when sleeping For anyone who hasn’t gotten freezing cold during fishing, then you are staying home or not catching any…

    jighead-two
    Cedar Falls, Iowa
    Posts: 642
    November 22, 2011 at 2:12 pm #1011201

    I’ve been tempted, but afraid of what COULD happen. I’m sticking with clothes and hand warmers. An exploding boat could really ruin the day, for many days.

    seeds
    SE WI
    Posts: 146
    November 22, 2011 at 2:26 pm #1011206

    I’ve been in boats with a sunflower-type heater. A milk crate seems to be the preferred storage for the bottle.

    I have an extra 20lb tank,a sunflower-type heater,a smaller (5lb?) bottle,and probably have plenty of room in my 17′ boat with a tiller motor – especially when I fish alone. I fish alone a lot,and my fishing is mostly during cold weather.

    I have a dangerous job. I icefish “thin” ice. I’m lucky to have survived my youth – drank too much,smoked too much,got into fights…been shot at once,handgun pointed my way on a couple more occasions…. Hand sliced once in a knife fight,head bonked with a piece of pipe…Once fell off a 5 story building…In other words,I’m not overly safety conscious.

    But I won’t have a heater in my boat.

    It ain’t MY safety I’m worried about. I finally have some nice stuff. I know that somewhere along the line I would burn those bibs that fit really nice but it’s too late in the season to buy another pair my size….If I burnt a rod it’d be a nice one…. Somewhere,the interior of the boat would get singed or melted… That jacket that’s just starting to get broke-in and comfortable? It’s rarely worn but often laying out where it’d get burned…

    I keep two bags containing gloves,hat,neck gaiter,and a dozen pair of cotton jersey gloves with the thumb and forefinger cut off. If one bag somehow gets wet I have the other…. I keep a pile of hothands in the boat – including a few of the bigger ones with a sticky side.

    Those bigger hothands have been a trip-saver numerous times. If I’m chilled,one’s stuck to my inner layer at chest level. If I’m really chilled,then another goes near my belly.

    I can stay warm until it’s so cold that fishing becomes a chore…Or too risky: I don’t like it when ice builds up on the hull (above the waterline) in any real amount.

    I’m sure it’s possible to be extremely carefull and have nothing go wrong ever. I just don’t think it’s possible for ME to be extremely carefull.

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13294
    November 22, 2011 at 2:27 pm #1011207

    So can you legally run a propane heater in your boat?

    For some reason Im thinking you can not. Cant remember if its the open flame or compressed gas that is the issue. I know there is a reason that the big boats have there grills mounted on the rail. Thinking it may have something more to do with the compressed gas than open flame.

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13294
    November 22, 2011 at 2:50 pm #1011214

    I believe it is a coast guard reg. Not sure if it is limited to boats for hire. Maybe i can get into the office tomorrow and get some time to look it up. Unless one of the other captains remembers this.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    November 22, 2011 at 4:07 pm #1011249

    I can tell you, both Hunters Launches have propane grills, right on the front of them… ON the boat. Yummy burgers !!!

    matt-p
    White Bear Lake, MN
    Posts: 643
    November 22, 2011 at 4:19 pm #1011260

    The only time I have used a heater in a boat is to melt the ice from reels, and guides.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    November 22, 2011 at 4:21 pm #1011263

    Quote:

    and guides.

    Mike W does look funny with icicles off the end of his nose, doesn’t he?

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13294
    November 22, 2011 at 4:59 pm #1011281

    Thanks Brian. Yes I was out Saturday night in the sleet, snow and wind. Thought it was nice out other than the wind hampering our ability to fish. Threw the Snosuit jacket in the boat just in case but never did get around to breaking it out or my winter boots. Did have to put on the brown jersey gloves a time or 2 after pulling up the anchor. Wet hands and wind do not mix.

    Getting the body acclimated to the colder weather I think also helps with staying warm in the boat. After saturday night I think Im good to go for the winter.

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13294
    November 22, 2011 at 5:02 pm #1011283

    i did do some looking on line and could not find regulations on propane or open flames in boats. Still think there is something out there. On the other hand even if there is its not being enforced or you would here of someone getting a ticket for it.

    jeff_huberty
    Inactive
    Posts: 4941
    November 22, 2011 at 5:26 pm #1011296

    My fishing partner had one out with us up on Mille lacs this year. I usally don’t have a problem in the cold weather.

    Although it did come in handy, because the linkage cable to the tiller motor was frozen and would it not shift.
    So we set the Mr Heater in front of the tiller and we were able to thaw it out.

    It also kept my partner warm enough that he was able to stay out fishing with me longer than usuall.

    I have to admit it felt comfortable having it run when he was cold.

    I was, and still am pretty apprehensive about having LP on board.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    November 22, 2011 at 5:35 pm #1011299

    So easy to throw overboard then just find another spot

    kidfish
    Posts: 237
    November 22, 2011 at 5:45 pm #1011306

    My fishing partners and I have used one of the small catalytic heaters for years. I believe they are called Coleman Black Cat heaters. They don’t heat up as much as a regular sunflower heater, but can be just the thing to dry your hands and gloves after handling fish. They are also safer as they do not put off the CO that the sunflowers do either.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    November 22, 2011 at 9:27 pm #1011364

    If they are burning propane (which the black cat does), they are giving off c02…now way around it.

    Wade Boardman
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 4453
    November 22, 2011 at 10:09 pm #1011375

    Quote:

    Cant say I have ever been out in weather where one was needed. Wear the right clothing and a heater will be one less thing to mess with and clutter up the boat. Some hand warmers or a thermos of coffee will sure help keep a guy warm to. Cold beverages have the opposite effect and can drop core temps almost instantly bringing on the chills.

    That’s fine for some guys, but let’s remember not all of us have great circulation and a heater can make or break a day. Raynaud’s Disease is a prime example.

    Yes I’ve ran a SportCat heater in my boat before with favorable results.

    Let’s not forget the duck boats with heaters and stoves running in them all morning long.

    sliderfishn
    Blaine, MN
    Posts: 5432
    November 22, 2011 at 10:29 pm #1011380

    I have done it numerous times. Turn it on to warm hands and then turn it off, repeat when needed.
    Never felt unsafe.

    Ron

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    November 22, 2011 at 11:10 pm #1011386

    There was years in my old boat, where I almost went through a 20 lb’er on opener… no kidding

    sliderfishn
    Blaine, MN
    Posts: 5432
    November 22, 2011 at 11:24 pm #1011389

    Quote:

    There was years in my old boat, where I almost went through a 20 lb’er on opener… no kidding

    I did not know that they use to measure in Lbs, I thought kegs were always gallons………

    Ron

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    November 23, 2011 at 12:06 am #1011399

    RED SOLO CUP !!!

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