Keeping Warm on a Sailboat! Salvaged DIY Diesel Heater Install! (Sig Marine Dickinson) | A&J Sailing

Exploring far reaching fjords & remote anchorages of the Inside Passage charting a course North to Alaska (slowly), we're a Canadian Aussie duo documenting an adventure-based alternative life off-grid on a small 'no-frills' sailboat, Uintah. No refrigeration, no auto-pilot, hauling our anchor up by hand & adventuring off the beaten path with the purpose of living a more sustainable, self-sufficient life connected to nature
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00:00 Installing Sig Marine Dickinson Diesel Heater
02:12 Building the Enclosure / Heat Shielding
05:38 Installing the Day Tank & Running Fuel Lines
08:35 Fueling the Stove / Installing Electric Fuel Pump and Metering Device
13:53 Busting a Hole through the Cabin Top / Installing Flue and Exhaust Cap
18:18 How to Light Dickinson Diesel Stove / Steps for Igniting Stove
20:01 We're Sailing to Alaska!
[The End]
Ahoy! We're Allison & James 👋 a Canadian Aussie duo who left the conventional life behind to live an adventure-based alternative lifestyle here in the Pacific Northwest! Continually chasing our dreams of adventuring off the beaten path & living a more sustainable, self-sufficient life.
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[@christophermelo7889]

Free advice is never overpriced...but: (1) the day tank sight tube is the weak link in the tank fuel system. Best way to use those is to install a small petcock on the tank and open it when you want to check the level. That way tube failure (PVC is not great for fuel use) won't dump the tank in the bilge. (2) to keep that deck core dry it's best to coat the edge with some sort of epoxy. The pipe heat will draw lots of moisture up into that pocket and it will compromise the core through the edgegrain.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

A small petcock certainly would prevent the tank dumping it it he bilge, thanks for the suggestion!

[@brianpruitt9743]

Great work! Having heat is a game changer. I'm also wondering about how you're going to seal the vent cap to the deck to prevent water penetrating the plywood. Heat tolerant epoxy to the deck core edges sounds intriguing as mentioned in the above comment.

[@rickpetrinack1540]

Allison & James hi from Calgary. What a great project from so many of the components being used, reused modified and scrounged materials to a safe, dependable, great looking heater. Kudos to you.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Thanks so much Rick, cheers!!

[@Coyotehello]

Hi A&J, you probably know the trick by now but just in case: Make a sausage of news paper and prior to lighting up the stove light-up the sausage and keep it in the stove under the fluke then light up the diesel and the warm/hot fluke will draw the smoke until the entire stove is hot.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

I haven’t heard that trick yet! Lots about a couple of tablespoons of metho in the heater first to preheat the burn chamber, guess it probably doesn’t matter how you warm it but waiting for the diesel to get warm enough to start vaporizing is a cold man’s game!

[@robertgold2643]

Enjoy all that warmth! SEA to AK is on my bucket list 🙏

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Us as well! Hope you get to make the journey someday soon!

[@barberamcisaac1633]

So cozy. Nice job. Looks like a much bigger heater than ours. Should keep you guys toasty and dry

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Not as nice of an install as yours! Haha We’ve had to fiddle with it quite a bit. Finally using it to its fullest potential when James scrubbed the inside with a wire brush to unclog the air holes. Now it runs like a charm and pumps out so much heat! The creosote has burned off the glass on the inside and it’s so cozy and warm!

[@wayneneuhofel6744]

Nice install. Yes, you'll probably want to upgrade the sight glass/fill line, once it starts giving you problems anyway, and that will probably take awhile. Until then, you'll be nice & warm.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Thanks Wayne! Exactly, we should get a couple years out of the PVC sight tube before it starts to degrade. It's visible/nice and accessible so can change it out every couple of years as needed. Cheers to being cozy and warm!

[@tanyasoroka3314]

Great job. We also have a diesel heater and it's a game changer

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Love to hear it, thanks Tanya! Gosh this lifestyle really helps you to appreciate the basic things like warmth and water, cheers!

[@jeffreygrantsmith]

Did you epoxy the raw wood core? And Sikaflex too? :) Didn't see that part. Great episode!!! Your camera work and production values are awesome!

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Yes! James did that quickly between rain showers when I wasn't there and didn't film it but we didn't skip that step! Thanks so much! We're getting use to our new camera, but loving it!!

[@paulmartin9496]

Awesome guys!

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Thanks Paul, cheers!

[@svalannah]

To keep that core dry you should put some epoxy inside that hole in the event the bedding leaks. I always drill oversized fill the hole then drill the size I need the hole to be. I have a bit deferent diesel heater in Alannah but I get it going with alcohol.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

We’re into keeping that core fry for sure! Thanks, cheers!

[@haydenwatson7987]

Great Vid. The heat will be nice in the cold north-land. We use our hydronic heater all summer in the Salish Sea take off the morning chill and remove condensation. It was great to see that the deck was dry. I did not see or hear anything about sealing the new hole in the deck but must assume that you did something. I prefer to seal the cut edges with straight epoxy and use the drill-fill-drill technique for the bolt holes. I then seal the new fixture with Butyl tape. I am not sure if butyl works with the heat of the chimney so 4200 might be needed.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Thanks Hayden, unfortunately not every step makes it into the videos due to time or weather constraints. I’ve used butyl in hot exhaust applications before and it’s held up fine and was still malleable after many heat cycles. So far the diesel heater is doing an amazing job of keeping our boat warm and dry, such a difference being able to dry out our wet weather gear every day!

[@peterstace9006]

It's always great to have new projects for the next adventure. Alaska here we come. Great as always to see both of you. See you next time.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

We’re going North to Alaska! Stay tuned for more exciting projects!

[@allynonderdonk7577]

You do need one of those heaters where you are. I tried to get a small diesel heater from a company that Dickinson later bought and did away with that company's product. It was a super low to mid level output product. I guess Dickinson didn't want the competition out there.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

We do indeed! This stove is a Sig Marine, which Dickinson acquired!

[@basildraws]

We finally made it to the coast bought Aloha III. I took my first sail, which was also my first solo, from Sechelt (INside the inlet) to Ladysmith on Wed - two days ago. AlohaIII has a diesel heater as well and today we’ll be cleaning and testing it! Cozy.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Congratulations!! Sounds like the first (solo) sail went well! Very exciting stuff. Cheers to keeping cozy n warm at sea!

[@basildraws]

@@AllisonandJamesSailing it was awesome and terrifying all at once. Got some amazing current advice from Don at MacKenzie Marine for when and how to navigate “The Chuck” before heading up the inlet. That gave me a lot of confidence and with the chuck out of the way, the rest was pretty smooth. Didn’t get as much B roll as I would have liked because I was by my onesies, but otherwise it was great. Now the work begins for Mellisa and me to get her ready for our life! Thanks to you both for being a big part our inspiration.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

​@@basildraws We know that mix of emotions well! The currents, tides, rapids are definitely some of the most anxiety provoking when you're first starting out! Glad you found some solid advice to get you thru with piece of mind. Filming, even with two sets of hands is a tall order! awe, that's all super exciting you guys, were so stoked for you!!!

[@curtkuhns]

May God be with you always. -Curt

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Cheers curt!

[@khyvich]

On the hole for the flue I would have wallered out the plywood a half inch under the deck and and filled it with thickened epoxy. The same with the screws through the deck. Any penetration needs thickened epoxy to protect the substrata from rotting.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

We just removed our steering pedestal and can certainly attest to the carnage that a bolt run through plywood substrate can cause when it is no protection from water ingress!

[@khyvich]

@@AllisonandJamesSailing So if you are not familiar with the technique, it is fairly simple. Use a small hole say to drill out deck and substrata. Use a hoe saw double the width of the bolt or screw going through the deck. Fill it with thickened epoxy. When cured, drill the bolt hole and insert the bolt. Your plywood, balsa, foam or other substrata will not decompose from water ingress.

[@basildraws]

Wow, good job! You made a daunting project look easy! Congrats and can’t wait for the Alaska trip.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Thanks mate, it was definitely more daunting than this video makes you think! Don't be fooled! Gah the balance of entertaining folks while watching paint dry! Looking forward to getting off the dock and getting out there!

[@davidbond1168]

007 again.....forgot to ask if you ever installed that anchor bow roller?? If not....I say....do it before Alaska.....you will not regret it! (and save me from cringing every time I see you bending over to haul the chain over the sìde!) LOL

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

The bow roller project is #7 or 8 on the priority list and at the moment we are already super strapped for time, especially with James currently working full time at the hospital. His leave starts begining of May and if we want to get off the dock before June we might have you cringing again this season! You know what they say, gotta go when you can not when your ready. Cheers David!

[@stephenburnage7687]

Put a Dickinson (propane) stove in my boat ten years ago and it still looks as good as new. Good choice!

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Love to hear it, we’re stoked on it!

[@carlylawrie8963]

New camera quality is crazy !!! Can’t wait to see your adventures to Alaska

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Awe, thanks for noticing! Can't wait to share the journey with you and visit you up North!!💙

[@bobschick2943]

Thanks for the project video! Loved the haul out video too.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Thanks Bob, happy to hear it! Few more project vids in the lineup before we cast off! And they’re projects that will radically alter how we live and sail on the boat, stoked!

[@MrHogadog]

Great job you guys! Looking good- Alaska sounds awesome!

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Good to hear from you! Thanks so much!

[@jeffmayart]

Great video guys... looking forward to hearing how much fuel / $ used to keep it comfortable...

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Thank you for watching! Ah yes, we'll be sure to do a follow up with how it's all working out :)

[@F1ComputerServicesWestKelowna]

You guys are so chill , , , well you were. How did you seal the flue to the deckhead?

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Now we're chillen while we warm up! Sickaflex!

[@SailSmileReDo]

congrats on your new project done! Just my 2 cents - I've got pretty much the same boat, Pearson 323. And the biggest difference for me was the hull and inside cabin top thermal insulation (affordable 1/2 inch foam mats from Walmart). One more thing - I use BBQ refillable lighter to ignite the diesel. Way more convenient, doesn't burn your fingers and no burnt paper inside the chamber. But hey, it's just me ))) Thanks for your videos, You guys doing a great job of showing the rest of the world our beautiful British Columbia! Hope to see You on the water one day)

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Cheers mate! Thank you for the tip about a BBQ lighter, that certainly will make for easier lighting of the stove, if you see us out there come by and say g’day!

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Affirmative. We've got those foam mats in the shopping cart, coming our way! Absolutely, lighters work. Burning paper was nice for the demo tho hey?! haha Thanks so much, love to hear that. We hope to catch you out there one day soon, cheers!

[@SailSmileReDo]

@@AllisonandJamesSailing there are no dumb things in life, in my humble opinion, just lessons to learn. By the way, You guys doing a great job with your videos. I find your episodes of high quality. Keep them coming ;-) Don't be afraid to make a mistake. And another thing I'm considering for my diesel stove is the fan distributing the heat through the boat. You know these not requiring power? They are quite pricey but I was thinking to give some of cheap Chinese nockouts a try. What's that latest app called? MooMoo or something like that? They had a few proposals recently

[@jameswiles970]

I think you need copper tubing instead of rubber hose diesel will swell an come apart

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

There’s a run of copper where the line has potential for chaff. All of our fuel lines on Uintah are marine grade rubber fuel hose and we are yet to have any issues with them.

[@stephenburnage7687]

To drill stainless steel you need plenty of cooling (water and/or oil) and a very slow drill speed. If in doubt, stop frequently to let the drill bit cool. Of course, the type of drill bit (such as cobalt) helps but that is secondary to the points mentioned.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Thanks Stephen! It’s always a learning journey when working with new materials!

[@patcosgrove3077]

you will love it my tank is on the cabin roof lazy man install but keeps my cat 30 more then warm enought

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

It's whatever works sometimes, right?! We're stoked! Glad you're keeping warm and cozy as well!

[@canyonhaverfield2201]

Nice share thank you...about heater flu..galvanized or steel?

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

The flu is stainless steel :)

[@couttsw]

I realize not everyone likes to look at another persons sailing channel, however Juho has a similar diesel heater in his yacht and is planning on sailing the northwest passage to Greenland later this year, they most recently have been in Prudhoe, Alaska. The top of his chimney uses a H styled stack that reduces backdrafts down the stack as well as preventing the ingress of water, take a look at his last video as well as his installation of the diesel heater and especially the lighting technique he uses. www.youtube.com/@AlluringArctic

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

One of our fave channels! He’s a good few steps ahead of where we are in our sailing journey, but we have similar goals (Greenland is the dream, not in this boat) and have really enjoyed following along! We’ve been chatting about switching to a H styled cap - the one we have came with the stove - because we’ve noticed the backdraft already and we’re still in a sheltered marina. Haven’t watched his latest, will check it out when we have a minute, cheers mate!

[@AEK-pb2wd]

Great job! Is your boat insulated? If not, do you plan on doing any sort of insulation?

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Cheers! Our boat isn’t insulated, we have plans to put some form of insulation on the glass liner to reduce condensation :)

[@Marianthenylons]

woooowww! CONGRATS! what is the name of this diesel stove?? sorry for my poor english... i really like how it works... i can made it.

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Cheers! The heater is a Sig-Marine, they have since been purchased by Dickinson.

[@davidbond1168]

Hi again from Cat 30 007.....well done video! We installed a Dickinson Newport propane unit several years ago and love it for its ambiance and warmth in our Gulf Islands climate ......but I don't think it would cut it in off season Alaska....I think you made a good choice! Our propane unit has a double walled flue to provide combustion air and vent moisture....something I thought pretty important for our small cabin volume. What are your thoughts on oxygen consumption and moisture production from your new unit? Have you considered, or do you have a co/co2 monitor? Outside air supply? Cheers 007

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Hey 007, we looked at the propane units but ultimately decided on going with diesel. Diesel burns dry and doesn’t produce moisture as a by product of combustion. We really wanted a heat source which would help to reduce overall moisture content of the boat and help it to dry out. Overall we’re not too concerned with the accumulation of C02 in the boat, the heater draws air from 1” above the cabin sole and our dager boards have vents cut into them for ventilation. Typically we keep our forward hatch cracked open as well for airflow when we’re on the boat, she’s not exactly airtight. As far as detectors are concerned we do have plans for installing a sniffer below our propane range, it’s just not a install that will likely make the cut in a video as we’re pretty time poor currently trying to get everything ready so we can cast the lines :) Thanks for watching 007!

[@Constantine-yp1dl]

Hi, I really enjoyed this video and many others you have posted. I wanted to get your opinion as to why so many of the 30 - 35 foot live-abords seem to have galley frigs that appear to be defunct. Is it that difficult or costly to make a these frigs functional. You guys did such an amazing job with your galley. What is the deal with the top loading frig?

[@AllisonandJamesSailing]

Hi! We’re not really sure, 12v refrigeration can be costly and historically has been not the most efficient, although it’s gotten quite good in the last 10-15 yrs. Top loading prevents the cold air from ‘falling out’ of the fridge every time you open it resulting in a more energy efficient fridge. Hope that helps to answer your questions! Thanks for watching!