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[Craig Weis]

We snow camped in BoyScouts and pulled our 'dog sled' of supplies for the weekend Klondike Boy Scouts Rally. What fun.

I had no idea that this post would have such long legs. I'm finished with it. Pick the battles you can win.
skip.

[newt]

Interesting discussion. I am up in the PNW right next to Canada today, and it rains all day with the temp in the 40's.  At dock I recommend an  electric heater. I have a diesel gas heater for on the hook. But it is one of those designed for sailboats with forced air combusion outside of the cabin, then fresh air  from another vent in pushed buy with a fan and heats the cabin. Even the candle lanterns- do not go to sleep with any combusion going on in your boat. After the last discussion I do not want to go into the physiology, but we as physicians have a really hard time saving your hind if your full of CO. So before you slip into your warm sleeping bag (as I will do tonight) TURN OFF EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT ELECTRIC!! Its worth it to wake up every morning with a clear head.

[Steve Ullrich]

I won't have any problem heating my 16 for the next five months... It is easy, just heat the machine shed and the 16 will be perfect!

Hi David, heating my 16 when it's snowing will never be a problem. You are a true sailor!!

Frank

[brackish]

Going out for an overnight this coming week.  Expected overnight low 39F.  Planned heat method, storm candle until bedtime then 20 degree sleeping bags.  Morning chill off will be butane stove perking the coffee with me wide awake. 

More important to me is property protection heat when she's by herself at the marina.  Probably get something like this for that:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/245832/377%20710/?icid=RR_7867518

Kind of like hanging a light bulb in the pump house, southern freeze protection. 

Frank

[nies]

FRANK, BE SURE AND GIVE US A FULL REPORT ON YOUR ADVENTURE...........PHIL

[brackish]

Will do Phil, however, I don't expect much to report.  This is a shakedown overnighter, first time on this SV.  Just going up the lake a ways, enjoy the foliage and maybe check out the Eagle roosts.  Admiral may or may not go, she has the annual church ladies club bazaar next weekend, might be too involved in the prep.  Mainly to check systems for extended cruises.  Mid week this time of year, should have the lake to myself, which is sad if you think about it.

Frank

[newt]

I have seen those pancakes on other boats Frank. They seem to work well and don't use up too much electricity. I got a little electric space heater from Walmart. Don't recommend it yet, but will till you how it does after one season.

[Steve Ullrich]

Has anyone used one of these?

http://www.summitcampinggear.com/coprpocahewi.html

http://www.summitcampinggear.com/cosppocahe.html

[Steve Ullrich]

I thought it looked like it might safely do the job.  They have a couple of smaller models that also looked like they would be plenty big enough for a C-16...  I bookmarked the web site, just in case I ever get serious about spending a night on my 16.  No immediate plans though, I really like my nice warm queen size bed right where I am.

Steve,

This is what we use!  Works great!

David

[mrb]

Just remember it will still produce the bad stuff and use plenty of ventilation.

safe sleeping

[Steve Ullrich]

May be worth the read. I found it interesting.  It seems O2 levels vs CO levels are the real concern with catalytic heaters.  Looks like you need to keep fresh air coming in and wouldn't want to use these things in a closed 16 cabin over night without fresh air coming in...  Seems best not to trust them too much and go to sleep with them on.

http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA05/os/CO03.pdf

[nies]

GOOD INFO STEVE, EVEN IF PARTS WERE A LITTLE TO TECH. FOR ME. I WOULD NEVER GO TO SLEEP WITH ANY HEATER, EXCEPT ELECTRIC. GOOD NEWS ABOUT A CANDLE IS IF "O" IS LOW THE CANDLE GOES OUT. ON THE LIGHT SIDE YOU COULD TAKE A CANARY WITH YOU, OF COURSE YOU WOULD BE DEAD ALSO ,SO WOULDNT WORK. PLEASE NEVER GO TO SLEEP WITH HEATERS RUNNING, NOT ONLY NOT A GOOD IDEA BUT A DEADLY ONE...........PHIL

[newt]

We seem to go back and forth on this thread. A candle, as well as a catalytic heater, will use up the oxygen to such a low level that you would die before they go out. Nies has it right. CO will kill you even if you have enough oxygen in the boat, because hemoglobin attachs to the CO 60 times faster than it attaches to Oxygen and then does not release, suffocating your body .
Having seen people die of CO, lets just say I do not want you to do so. So just don't use a heater when you are sleeping, and if you find yourself getting sleepy- get out!

[Bob23]

Good advice, all.
Men: If I could stay warm sleeping outside in a sleeping bag in minus 20 degrees with no external heaters, we can all do ok in our boats in anything above zero. And I doubt we'd be out in temperatures that cold. So, forget the heaters...invest in a good quality bag and wool socks, hat, and underwear, and sweaters, and you'll be warm as toast. I've been working outside for 30 years; I have my combination of clothes down to a science. Of course it helps that I don't mind or feel the cold like most people. It comes in handy when I have a greenhorn working who is freezing. "Aw...poor baby...momma didn't dress you right?" We are soooo mean! I love it.
   Seriously, I've learned a lot reading this thread especially not to take CO poisoning lightly. I really didn't know all that much about the details so I'm greatful to you all.
   I thought of doing something with foam insulation in the boat, just in case I end up living in it. Yep, the kind of foam insulation you get at Home Depot. Great stuff. One could almost build a cubicle out of it and stay toasty. One cold winter, we had to encase our air compressor in a foam box and put a light bulb in it. It wouldn't run in the cold.
Bob23

[newt]

Bob my other boat (a valiant) has foam in the chain locker (great for dampening the noise) and below the berths.  I think it works good if you can get enough of it in to make a difference. Sorry about my over zealousness, it comes from seeing too many deaths ( with a few from CO)