[C320-list] Forced Air Heater Duct Installation Recommendations, Anyone?

[David Swanson]

Okay all of your C320 List Server fans, I have a question that I hope I could find some Catalina C320-specific advice on:

I am researching installation of forced air diesel heaters to install on our C320 Mk II (Hull No. 1107).  I am planning on installing a Wallas 30D or 40D forced air furnace.  I have learned that the biggest complexity of forced air heater installation is routing and installing the 3-inch diameter forced air duct.  

I am planning on installing the furnace in the STBD cockpit locker (to help offset a slight PORT list) and plumbing the fuel feed directly from the existing fuel tank.  Fortunately, the North America Wallas distributor is Scan Marine in Seattle (where I live), so I am sure I can obtain general installation advice from them.  Due to the economy (or lack thereof), they are offering the boat show discount year 'round for those who ask.  

I have researched all Google forums, our C320 forum, and the other accessible Catalina forums, and only found a couple of posts in the C36 forum that describes heater duct installation on the C36.  However, what I am after is any C320-specifc advice on how and where to route heater duct on my boat.  

So my questions are:

1.  Has anyone installed a forced air heater system in their C320?  What brand and model did you install?  Are you happy with it?

2.  Has anyone installed heater duct running from the stern lockers to the forward V-berth cabin on a C320?  How about you warm weather owners?  AC duct installations?   If so, how and where did you route the duct?  Port side, starboard side, high or low?  I would imagine AC duct should be high and heater duct should be low.  However, space availability will dictate this I suspect?

3.  I thought that I read somewhere that C320's come with heat or cooling ductwork pre-installed at the factory.  Is this true or just a myth that I am dreaming up?  Perhaps, this is just wishful thinking on my part to a avoid a pain-in-the neck owner installation?

4.  Any and all advice would be much appreciated.  

I will be installing this heater this winter this off-season, so i have lots of time to complete the tasks before spring sailing starts up in March.  If I get it installed around the holidays, perhaps I'll take the family on a President's Day Weekend Cruise in a warm heated boat!

Thanks for your input, experience, and advice.

Dave Swanson
S/V Emily Ann
2007 C320 MK II, No 1107
Mukilteo, WA