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Quick question...marina's & engine room heathers?

Anyone ever been in a marina where UL engine room heaters were banned by the marina? I ask for ours said for the 1st time in their 59 year history that heater's this winter would be disallowed from being used & blamed it on their insurance company. Seems odd that this happens 3 months after an older Chris Craft caught fire in her slip & burned some of the rafters on the covered slip. If it's his insurance company saying "no heaters that are designed for engine rooms" and only heat the area 5 degrees (from a low of 45 ti a high of 50) does anyone think it's worth arguing this case with the insurance company and marina owner? Oh...and in closing there are 6 of us in a 90+ boat marina who have used them the past three years and used them on newer boats with better electrical systems than the older boats.

Update:

ADDED NOTE: hard to spell "heaters" when one is p.o.'ed as I was when typing the question. Geez!

$500 for the heater & now we're looking at possibly giving the marina over $1200 to have her winterized by mechanics who have ruined engines every year thru their oversight that somehow is the owners fault. Yep...said the owner's fault. That's why we went to the heater. Guess it'll be time to roll up the sleeves, get dirty & winterize myself this year and then next spring look for a new marina...that allows heaters or maybe just move south.

Thanks for the answers & hello again to all. Been awhile due to medical conditions but they're just about over. Thanks again.

Update 2:

UPDATE: marina owner admits that it was due to the fire this summer that did not involve the use of a heater. He is though giving thought to his decision as three other marinas on the river allow the use of the heaters. A decision will be made shortly...in other words he stands to lose more $$$ than he would make from his best customers should they decide to move to a marina that does allow the use of the heaters. Thanks to all who responded with great comments on this matter. I truly do appreciate your time and thoughts. Have a great off season and a wonderful holiday season too!

Update 3:

IN CLOSING: just re-read the responses given and all say the same so picking a "winner" amongst great users of Answers would be difficult. How about we leave it to the other user's of the system to decide? Again my thanks to each of you!!!! Truly appreciate.

3 Answers

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  • 10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I would think that it's become an issue with your marina's insurance. However , I think it creates issues beyond UL approval. If they banned all heaters, and a fire results from a "illegal" heater, would they hold you and your insurance responsible, for all damages?

    I assume that if you are aboard, that you can use heaters to keep warm? Are they saying no heaters at anytime?

    In truth I've never liked engine room heaters, but i can see your reasoning.

    I would certainly let the marina management know your feelings and even send a letter signed by other slip holders. Perhaps, copying the insurance company. I don't think it will result in a change of heart, but you never know.

    Edit: I live-aboard so the heat loss from the cabin keeps my bilge above freezing. I was thinking, that if you use your Marineair at it's lowest heat setting and run a temporary duct (hose) to the bilge, and do so only when the weather is at or below freezing. Other than electrical cost, it would serve the same purpose. In fact I insulated the floor on my boat to cut down on my cabin heat lost, but the engine compartment is still staying above freezing in winter. (Baltimore Harbor) I do block off the vent hoses and I have fuel injected engines so no fumes when just sitting. I keep my fuel tanks nearly dry during winter. That cuts down on E10 fuel problems. I can deal with a little condensation.

  • 10 years ago

    That sounds difficult to argue, as if the Marina's insurance company has specifically excluded engine room heaters they may not have any room to move on it and still have any cover at all - regardless of your private insurance. I think we all know how good insurance companies are at finding exceptions and exclusions when it's time to make a claim - ignoring this one would be a free goal as far as they are concerned so sadly you are probably stuck with it.

    We are very lucky where I am (Australia), gets cold enough from time to time down south, but a couple of incandescent light bulbs in batten fittings, or infra-red heat lamps pointed at the critical bits seems to be sufficient. Bit rough if they mean normal comfort heating on a live aboard though - if this Marina allows living aboard that is.

  • mark t
    Lv 7
    10 years ago

    Hey Boatin. Well I do think it is the direct result of the marinas insurance co. They lucked out that the entire place did not go up in flames and now want to lower the risk. You could try to argue it but I doubt you would win. I used to put them in boats at work and the biggest problem was power failure in the bad winter. Having the heater gives a false sense of security when it gets cold. So even though we left many of the boats in we winterized them evey time we used them. Have a good winter!

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