Everything You Need to Know About Using a Marine Heater to Winterize Your Boat

Boating is a passionate hobby for many of us; we fish, we cruise lakes, and we enjoy the open water in a way that is both liberating and exhilarating. But when winter rolls around, many are forced to put up their wake boats and pontoons and winterize their vessels until spring. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could continue to enjoy your boat all year round? With a marine heater, you just might be able to! These heaters have been around for a while now, but still, there are many boaters that have not jumped on board. Or perhaps you’re new to the boating life and are scouting for your first one. Either way, here’s a good starting point for those looking to equip their boat with a reliable heater.


What is a Marine Heater and How Does it Work?


A marine heater is essentially a piece of equipment onboard your boat  that acts to keep the cabin warm and cozy. It should be constantly pumping heat throughout the boat in order to prevent parts from freezing over, and that includes you as well! When you break it down, it’s really not that different from a normal hot-water heater that you would find in your home, but here it operates by running hot water from the engine through to the heater core and distributing hot air via a fan and ventilation. There are also several different types of heaters to choose from, including the brand and fuel source, so it’s important to know which will suit your boat the best. Some run on propane, while others rely on diesel or kerosene, but many today use electricity heating with methods like hydronic, reverse cycle and heat coils to keep their vessels toasty. 


How Does a Marine Heater Come in Handy?


Having a heater on your boat is incredibly important for maintaining smooth travels. Firstly, it does what most would expect, and keeps you nice and toasty during those nightly voyages to observe the stars, chilly autumn days when the wind is relentlessly blowing, and especially in the winter when the sky decides to spit snowflakes at you. More than that, marine heaters help keep parts of your boat from becoming damp and can stop mold from forming in some cases. Additionally, and arguably the most important asset, is the fact that it works to keep the engine and other vital parts of the ship operational. Small bits of water can freeze and expand when it gets into places it shouldn’t, which leads to cracks and damages, but having a heater will keep temperatures warm enough to prevent that from happening.


Can Anyone Install a Marine Heater?


Having a heater isn’t much use to you or your boat if you aren’t capable of properly installing it. While just about anybody can technically learn how to install their own, it is often faster, safer, and more efficient to hire someone to do it for you, as there are plenty of professionals that are happy to install it for you, and for an affordable price too! However, if you choose to do it yourself, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with its components, tubing, and the tools necessary to get the job done. Many people install marine heaters for the winter only, but others opt to leave them installed permanently. This is largely due to the fact that they might be using their boat during the colder months of the year or perhaps they do want to hassle with installing, removing, and reinstalling it each year. Either way, it is mostly personal preference. 

Learn how to install a Marine Heater here. 

Stay Warm and Keep Cruising


If you don’t want to retire your vessel for the winter, installing a marine heater might just be your best bet. Whether you plan on fishing, sailing, or just taking a cruise along the water, they’re sure to keep you and your boat in working order. 


If you are currently in the market for a way to keep your boat heated, Xtreme Heaters has you covered. Reach out to us or give us a call at 1-877-360-HEAT (4328) today to learn more about how we can help you.
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