Cabin Heating System

[toddster]

An old thread, but this is a project I've been considering. It would be nice to keep the cabin warm during long deliveries and harbor-hopping. Although I'm more likely to cobble up something with junkyard parts. Why throw away "free" heat when it's available?

(I do have a Force 10 Propane heater in the cabin. Also, the standpipe exhaust is right under the helmsman's seat and makes a nice warm spot when motoring long distances.)

To keep the cabin warm while under way, I may need to come up with a more convenient hatch arrangement than the drop boards. I've spent some winter weekends on boats with engine-heaters and the cabin never got very warm due to the traffic in and out through the companionway.

I wonder if one needs to worry about creating back-pressure on the Oberdorfer pump, what with the water heater (already installed), heater core, and all associated hoses? Especially if one of them goes all the way up to the V-berth.