Hi Mark,
There are a few other options to the wood-burning, solid-fuel type of heater. The most popular alternatives are propane and deisel. The former is very clean and efficient, but it produces a whole lot of condensation; I used to use a portable propane heater before the installation of the Dickinson; it was like getting rained on inside the cabin, and rather than damp clothes drying out, they got damper. Propane is also highly volatile if not installed correctly. Deisel, from what I understand (I have no first-hand experience with it), is efficient, dry, and relatively clean. I have heard that it smells a bit, like, well... deisel. Also, unless you install a gravity-feed tank, you will need a pump to transfer the fuel from your regular fuel tank to the heater, which is a battery drain. I went with solid-fuel for efficiency's sake. It has two basic drawbacks: it's not easily regulated and it's dirty. However, fuel is universally available (the stove also burns peat, coal, pellets, charcoal, just about anything that'll burn) and not explosive, and it does not require battery power to operate it. Furthermore, there's nothing, and I mean nothing, like sitting by a fragrant (try burning apple wood!), crackling fire and sipping some hot tea after a good winter sail. It's like going back in time. Nevertheless, any heater you install will likely be a welcome comfort, and, most importantly, you will extend your sailing season. I've been sailing all year long for a while now. It's only possible with a heater. With the propane heater I had, it was a kind of "roughing it" enterprise. To be frank, it was miserable, but I least I got to sail. With the wood-burner, it's civilized and enjoyable. Whatever you do, I recommend you get a "dry" heat.
