Heater Install on a 26' Hewescraft

[Dan in Alaska]

Has anyone installed a diesel heater in their Hewescraft? I'm hoping to put an Espar in the boat this spring, and I'm curious where you installed your heater and where you put the heat ducts. Are you happy with your install, or would you do it differently next time?

 

[spoiled one]

Shoot forum member Mort a pm. I believe he installed an airtronic D4 in his 26 footer.

 

[Dan in Alaska]

Thanks, Pete!

 

[AKBoater]

Dan
My dad's got a pretty sweet set-up on his 22' Oceanpro. I'll try to get the details and post them for you.

 

[Dan in Alaska]

Awesome! Sounds good, 'boater.

I also plan to head up and take a closer peek at Pete's set-up. The dealership seems familiar with the Hewescraft layout, as well, so I'll pick their brain quite a bit. I like to do my homework before drilling a lot of holes.

 

[spoiled one]

Dan, you could mount yours along a gunnel I suspect. Here is where mine is mounted:

Come on up and take a peek.

 

[AKBoater]

My dad's is mounted in the same manner directly next to the front passenger seat.

 

[Dan in Alaska]

Yes, I have plenty of room under the gunnels. Your diesel tank appears to be below the floor. Is that correct?

Where does your exhaust vent, and where does your combustion air get drawn from?

 

[akdeweyj]

Has anyone installed a diesel heater in their Hewescraft? I'm hoping to put an Espar in the boat this spring, and I'm curious where you installed your heater and where you put the heat ducts. Are you happy with your install, or would you do it differently next time?

In my 22' SeaRunner the Wallas heater is mounted right below the window on the back wall of the cabin portside & the exhaust rises up to exit the cabin wall above the gunnel. We had to move the seat up about 3" to make it work, but it eliminates the possibility of the exhaust getting blown or sucked back into the cabin + it keeps the fuel tank & hose away from clumsy feet. There is no duct work on mine it just blows out into the cabin through its discharge grille.

 

[spoiled one]

Yes, I have plenty of room under the gunnels. Your diesel tank appears to be below the floor. Is that correct?

Where does your exhaust vent, and where does your combustion air get drawn from?

I have a below floor tank. I only use kerosene. It vents directly out the port side and combustion air is drawn from the cabin. I may change this, but it hasn't been a problem so far. I always keep a window cracked.

I have two vents. One goes to the birth and the other is vented to the copilot bench. It the cabin very well.

 

[Mort]

I put an Espar D4 in my 26' AK Searunner last summer. Installed in the head, diesel tank in there too. We don't use the head, but if we did, this would not interfere. Exhaust is vented out the port side well above waterline, combustion air comes from below the port gunwhale out on the fishing deck. The ticking of the pump is audible, but I'm planning to wrap it with some high-density foam to dull the sound. It took me a while to do the install, as I wanted to get it perfect, primarily to avoid heat damage from that exhaust. Very pleased with my installation. You are welcome to look, once we can get the door open - ice in the back of the boat. If you want more info, let me know. The other thing I have not completed is direct vent of some warm air onto the windshields. Haven't settled on how to get the air over to the driver side.

By the way, I have a new-in-box D2 kit for sale in the classifieds. I could give you the low-down on what other pieces you would need to install, now that I've done mine.

 

[Dan in Alaska]

Thanks, Mort. I'm headed to the Espar dealer again tomorrow to compare the specs between the D2 and D4. If the D2 will work for our boat, I'll give you a holler the one you have for sale.