While in Brisbane, Australia in 2014 we installed a Heatstrip patio heater and just love it. A key advantage of the Heatstrip is a nice, even warmth with no red glow. You can’t tell it’s on and it doesn’t change the lighting at night. Spitfire appreciates the heater too, and usually finds a spot underneath whenever it is on. In the photo above, we’re enjoying a chilly late-December sunset in Albermarle Sound, North Carolina.
And the Heatstrip apparently is built like a tank. It has run flawlessly for the past four years, surviving a salt-water drenching during our 69.1° Rollover and countless soakings during several north Atlantic gales. We may never use the two spares we purchased.
Below are details of the install. Click any image for a larger view, or click the position to view the location on a map. And a live map of our current route and most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps
 |
Heatstrip
Position: 153 2.32, -27 28.24
We biked out to Bunnings today to pickup a Heaststrip outdoor radiant heater. We missed the warmth of the propane heater we’d had on the previous boat and had been looking for a non-propane alternative. We’ve been interested in Australian-made low-profile Heatstrip model since first seeing one in Akaroa, NZ.
|
 |
Testing the heater
Position: 153 2.32, -27 28.24
Before purchasing the heater, we’d checked with the manufacturer for compatibility with our boat’s 60Hz power. They said it would run on 50 or 60Hz, but all the documentation that came with it indicated 50Hz only. We have no 240-volt outlets, so James temporarily wired it into the 240-volt system to test it. He used the leftover end of the extension cord we’d adapted for shore power, and ran an extension cord to the heater outside on the foredeck.
|
 |
Mounting the heater
Position: 153 2.32, -27 28.24
Working on the mounting location for the heater. One advantage of this unit is it radiates heat unidirectionally, and so can be mounted quite close to an overhead surface.
|
 |
Plugged in
Position: 153 2.32, -27 28.24
To power our new patio heater, we installed a 240-volt, 15-amp IP66 outdoor socket in the cockpit ceiling. The matching plug screws into the socket securely and is sealed against water intrusion.
|
 |
Junction box
Position: 153 2.32, -27 28.24
The white junction box at the right side of the service opening connects a 240-volt branch circuit with the patio heater and its controller.
|
 |
Junction box
Position: 153 2.32, -27 28.24
The patio heater branch circuit begins at this new junction box in the lazarette. It’s the final stage of the patio heater install, and we’re using it daily.
|
 |
Patio heater
Position: 153 2.32, -27 28.24
Enjoying the sunset in 60-degree weather under the new patio heater. The patio heater is completely amazing—we feel like we just nailed that one. A key advantage of the Heatstrip is a nice, even warmth with no red glow. You can’t tell it’s on and it doesn’t change the lighting at night.
|
|
Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map, with the complete log of our cruise.
On the map page, clicking on a camera or text icon will display a picture and/or log entry for that location, and clicking on the smaller icons along the route will display latitude, longitude and other navigation data for that location. And a live map of our current route and most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps. |
Love this story about your boat and the Heatstrip.
Can we publish a link to this blog?
Absolutely Dan. We love the heater, and even bought a spare since it is operating in a salt water heavy environment constantly hit by waves only feet above the water. But, the spare remains unused and we continue to enjoy the original. The Heatstrip is close to bullet proof and it’s always nice and toasty.
We are currently anchored in a Norwegian Fjord surrounded by waterfalls and we get to enjoy meals out on deck enjoying the incredible scenery relaxing under the Heatstrip. We love it.
I am going to have to get this installed on my unplanned yacht.
PS: I love, love, love your blog.
This is immediately going on my planned equipment list for the next boat!!!