The Admiral Wants Heat

[Russ]

Progress is slow. Jury duty this week. Also, I’m slow-rolling on purpose to let the design marinate in my head. I’m hoping to only build it once.

Smart to let it "marinate". I find time is my best editor.

Looks good so far. Can't wait to see the complete project.

[Jimmyt]

A bit of progress. Crawling toward a test fit on the hatch opening to see if I can see over/around it from the helm.

I’ve got some router work and sanding/shaping to do before it’s ready for finishing.

Also, I’ve got to work out the tank mount. I may have to source another tank before I’m happy with the look.

[Russ]

Very interesting. So are you keeping the fuel as part of the kit? It's a diesel heater correct?

[Jimmyt]

Yes. The plan is to just drop it on the hatch and plug in the power.

[Jimmyt]

Well, finally got it together enough to toss it on the boat. I leveled the waterline and took measurements on where I need to position the upper section. The aft end has to go down 1-1/4” with the forward supports basically staying at the current height. Visibility from the helm is minimally impacted - much less than I was expecting after seeing it from the side.

The only “gotcha” is, someone moved the anchor hatch about 4” aft while I wasn’t looking! I had to laugh at myself for that one. I should know better. So, anybody that wants to give me a dig; have at it - I’ve got it coming.

Anyway, it looks like it’s going to be fine - albeit a bit different looking. Won’t matter, though. I’ll be the only one on the water when it’s cold (besides the fishermen - who don’t really care).

[Russ]

Wow, that looks really cool installed. Nice work.

Anchor hatch... eh...I'm assuming you can move the heater top back a bit for that.

[Jimmyt]

Anchor hatch... eh...I'm assuming you can move the heater top back a bit for that.

Nope. Going to have to trim a little off of the front. Not too bad of a hit. Good practice.

[Russ]

Anchor hatch... eh...I'm assuming you can move the heater top back a bit for that.

Nope. Going to have to trim a little off of the front. Not too bad of a hit. Good practice.

Well, I wish I could I've never done something like that.

Still looks cool. I like the shape. So how are you going to finish it? Put some racing stripes to match the Mac raccoon stripes.

[Jimmyt]

Current plan is penetrating epoxy, some fiberglass, then white and black paint to match the boat.

[Jimmyt]

Well, the changes are made after the initial test fit. Gave it a nose job (removed a couple of inches), to clear the anchor locker and adjusted the heater deck angle to be parallel to the water line.

Thanks to Russ for putting the idea in my head to slide the machine deck back. I couldn’t move it much as I already cut the air transfer opening, but was able to cheat 1/2” more by sliding it aft. That allowed me to reuse my original nose piece, after slight modification.

Now, on to the inside piece and figuring out how to lock it in place.

[Jimmyt]

Been working on it quite a bit, but not much visible progress. I’ve completed the skeleton of the interior piece. It serves as the clamping mechanism to hold the top part in the hatch opening, and will trim out the interior.

The skeleton will have fleece stretched over it and then, the fleece will be saturated with polyester resin. After it hardens, I’ll skim it with filler and paint it.

The diffuser is mounted to the upper (outside) part, and I’m currently thinking of using the slots on either side for return air.

[Russ]

That's looking nice and professional. Reminds me of those AC units on top of RVs.

I have a feeling you are going to be nice and toasty in there.