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

[Robert E. Sloat]

David-My concern would be to have a flame generating furnace near to a 19 
gallon diesel fuel tank which sits in the same locker.  Also, there may be 
some Coast Guard regulations on placement of these devices near fuel tanks. 
They have strict rules on things like this.  The manufacturer should be able 
to answer location questions on furnace proximity to fuel tanks.

Bob Sloat
Savannah 894
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Swanson" <kswanson123 at comcast.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 10:48 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Forced Air Heater Duct Installation 
Recommendations,Anyone?


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