Staff Pick: This is one of the news stories our staff is reading this week.

For most sailors, winter is the end of the boating season. They put the boat into storage and go back to routine life on land for some time. But, for liveaboards, winter doesn’t mean that they will stop sailing or live on their boat. Living aboard your boat has many advantages and also disadvantages, as most things in life. The most important thing about living aboard is that you live closer to nature, avoid routine life, and learn to live independently. So, as for heating systems, boats can have a variety of them. For example, diesel heaters in the main cabin are piped into the fuel system. Or, central air conditioning with a compressor and air handler.

What is the Best Ways to Heat a Liveaboard Sailboat? In this article, I’m going to give you some information about these systems and finally come to the conclusion for which one is the best. Follow me!

Useful Information about Boat Heating Systems

Winter sailing is still a challenge for most sailors due to the more extreme weather conditions, which necessitate more preparation. Fortunately, there are many types of boat cabin heaters available that can make winter sailing more enjoyable by keeping the interior of the sailboat warm and comfortable.

As aforementioned, there are many ways that you can use order to warm the interior of your boat. These are engine heaters, electric heaters, hydronic systems, heating stoves, forced-air systems to reverse-cycle air condition systems. As you see there are numerous choices and for every budget. It’s important to note that these systems work in a different way but their function is the same. Meaning that they can use fuel or other forms of energy so as to create heat that will be therefore spread in the boat.

There are sailboats that use diesel heaters or electric heaters. Some vessels have “core” air conditioning. This means that the compressor and air handler are hidden and cold air is forced into ducts in the boat. These systems typically run on “raw water”. You can easily spot these vessels by the steady stream of water discharged overboard when their air conditioners are turned on. But, for this kind of system, you have to regularly clean the raw water filter of debris that will get from the outside water.

Others want to choose the more budget option and choose to buy a portable electric floor heater. These can work fine as well and can be stashed away in a locker when not needed. Others go for the simple option of buying a wood-burning fireplace. But, some of these cheap systems can cause problems when used in the boat and you have to be very cautious in order to avoid any unexpected incident. Let’s now see the most common heating systems for boats!

Read more.