Planning on going for a fishing trip or sailing across the ocean this winter? Well, your cabin would definitely need some warming up. Not to worry! Here is our guide to buying the best boat heater for winter. These boat heaters are used to keep the insides of your boats warm, cozy, and largely unaffected by the harsh winter conditions of the open sea.

Having the best boat heater will not only help you comfortably enjoy the winter weather but will also let you extend the sailing season by cruising farther up north. It might not be easy to pick a boat heater out of all the options available. That is why we have compiled a list of the best boat heaters for winter and included in-depth reviews so you can pick one that suits your needs. First, let’s start with understanding the functionality of boat heaters.

How Do Boat Heaters Work?

There are different kinds of boat heaters that run on different kinds of fuels. The most recent ones consume diesel for combustion and use the power supply to run their fans and circulate hot air through the cabins.

The other types of fuel include LPG-propane or butane for combustion. These are considered more environment-friendly because they consume less energy. However, this type of boat heaters can use up a lot of gas in a short amount of time. Thus, before setting up sail, if you are using a gas-consuming boat heater, you need to ensure that you have a sufficient amount of cylinders available.

Basically, these boat heaters run on a remote diesel burner which produces hot, fresh air inside and circulates it by the help of a powerful fan through insulated ducting. Technology sure has come a very long way since the coal-fired stoves of the Titanic era!

There are also the simplest of them all but they only work if you have a reliable power source like a power outlet at the marina or a boat generator when out and about. Of course, I am talking about electric boat heaters. These are the easiest to set up, operate and the truth is that they are very effective in warming up your boat.

Also, most boats are easy to heat because spaces are small and they are made of fiberglass which provides excellent insulation against the cold weather.

Well, without any more musing, here is our list of the five best boat heaters for you to use on your next boating trip:

Best Boat Heaters for Winter

Dickinson Marine Newport Propane Fireplace – Best Overall Boat Heater

If you are looking for the best boat heater out there then look no further than the Dickinson Marine Newport P9000 Propane Fireplace. This is a solution for people who sail/boat a lot during the winter and are looking for something permanent and serious. This boat operates with propane but the combustion process is completely isolated from the inside of the boat. It also has a built-in blower that provides good heat circulation throughout the boat; however, the blower requires additional power but it is not necessary for the heater to operate. This is a great heater but you do need to have it permanently installed and have holes drilled on your boat for the chimney.

If you looking to keep your boat warm and cozy during the winter seasons and for that fireplace ambiance to set the mood but you are not afraid of drilling holes in your boat, then you should definitely go with this boat heater.

Note: You will also need a propane hose (make sure to buy one long enough for where you plan to place your propane tank), 11″ WC regulator and fittings are needed and sold separately

Mr. Heater Big Buddy Propane – Best Portable Boat Heater

Mr. Heater Big Buddy Propane Heater is ideal for boat spaces up to 450 square feet. It is safe for indoor and outdoor use, clean-burning, and nearly 100% efficient. It will automatically shuts-off if tipped over so it is perfect to use in sailboats that tipping over is common. Also, this heater has a built-in fan that increases its heating capacity. It fun operates with batteries so make sure you have some to make sure the unit is fully operational and operates at maximum efficiency. The fun increases the efficiency of the heater but is not necessary for operation. Also, a great feature of this boat portable heater is that you can use it with both a 1-lb propane bottle and a 20 or 30 lb propane tank.

Caframo Limited True North – Best Electric Heater For Boats

The Caframo Limited True North electric heater comes with a built-in adjustable thermostat that keeps will keep your boat cabin warm even on very cold nights. Great to use if you have a reliable power supply like a boat generator or you are docked in the marina and connected with their power outlet. This electric boat space heater comes with 5 power settings including steady heat to high output for maximum air circulation. Also, the heater shuts off when it reaches the desired temperature.

Eberspacher Espar Airtronic 12V Boat Heater

This air heater comes in four different sizes which can effectively warm the interior of boats ranging from 13ft to 62ft. Each size of heater is suitable for a different size of boat.

The Airtronic Air Heater uses a flexible duct system to blow the warm air inside the cabin. This heater can be controlled through a thermostat. It also contains a vent that can be opened or closed to let more or less hot air pass through. Because the exhaust of this heater is situated above the waterline, it will work even if the boat is heeling. It is easily one of the best boat heaters available and one of the oldest brands in this industry. Not to forget, it is very reliable and steamed (pun intended!) as well. That being said, it is also priced above all the other boat heaters.

You can get it here.

Webasto Air Top

Webasto is a brand that frequently rivals Wallas and Eberspacher in the boat-heater industry. These boat heaters are produced in Germany. The products range from 2kW to 5.5kW in heat output. The Webasto Air Top initially consumes a lot of energy to ignite, but then consumption levels drop dramatically.

It provides a lot of control options such as fast heating, standard heating, eco mode, and ventilation. Webasto also maintains that its products do not require annual servicing. The frequency of servicing depends largely on the cleanliness of fuel rather than how much the heater has been used.

You can get it here.

Wallas Boat Heater

Wallas is a brand from Finland and is considered to be best suited for northern boating conditions. These air heaters come in different output options ranging from 2kW to 4kW. They are said to be suitable for boats up to 50ft in size.

These heaters take up as much energy to start as the other brands mentioned above (Webasto and Airtronic). However, its sustaining power consumption is relatively lower as compared to the others. This is because Wallas fans need much less electricity to work. There is very little noise and combustion so the air and fuel are said to be precisely controlled when using this boat heater.

Its control options are elegant. The default mode uses a thermostat control with fast heating followed by steady temperature control. It can be changed to dryer mode, manual override, and ventilation only mode.

You can find it here

Planar Boat Heater

Planar is one of the trusted, upcoming names in the boat-heater market. These heaters are targeted towards the BC boats. Their diesel air heaters function in the same way as Airtronic’s or Wallas’. Since it is a newer brand as compared to the other two, it is also lesser in price. Planar first produced air heaters for trucks which gave them a loyal following in Canada. Now, they have started venturing into the boat heater industry as well and are considered reliable.

The company has introduced a new rotatory controller for using its options as well as made a remote-controlling app so the heater can be handled through a smartphone. Their products come in different sizes and different heat output choices.

You can find it here

You can also browse through other products within the diesel boat-heaters category to find out the one that is best suitable for your boat’s size and built.

Best Boat Heater For Winter – Conclusion

That was our list of the best heaters for boats. You can use any of these to keep your cabin warm and cozy while you enjoy the winter up north! We hope you find one that is most appropriate for your boat’s size and built and fits your budget. All in all, these are the best brands in the industry. However, whichever boat heater you choose, please make sure that you have sufficient fuel (diesel or any other gas) to cover the entirety of your trip. In fact, keep some extra. You never know when the water may turn its tide against you. It is always a good idea to be well prepared, especially for a cruising trip! While you’re there, you can catch a fish or two outside and then enjoy in your warm cabin!