installing a fireplace on my Pacific Seacraft 37

[c@ndy_crh]

about seven years ago, I snagged this Pacific Seacraft 37, and I'd always dreamed of putting a fireplace in it, but just couldn't figure out the logistics

Then last August, I blew out a disc in my back. Two months later, I'm laid up rehabbing on the starboard settee, and boom!

It hit me, I use the existing starboard dorade vent for the exhaust, mount the fireplace on the starboard bulkhead, and that's it.

No new holes in the deck, and if it didn't work out, I could easily put it back to a vent. Genius, right?

I loved the Dickinson Newport I had in my old boat, so I checked it out again.

But then, a Cubic Mini stove caught my eye since I saw it on other boats. Bought one, plus a stainless steel back shield. Big mistake.

It was a beautiful, well-built little stove, but it just wouldn't draw. More smoke filled the cabin than went out the chimney.

So, there I was, out $660 with a pretty, useless steel anchor on my bulkhead. I bit the bullet and grabbed the Newport from Defender (Fisheries was closer and had free shipping, but they were out).

I kept the SS shield and mounted the Newport right onto it. I even added a pipe heat shield and wrapped the upper pipe in Kevlar muffler wrap, so it's cool to the touch when running.

On deck, there's just a 22" pipe section that stores easily when we're underway. This setup is seriously amazing.

One small log burns for 45 minutes and cranks out so much heat, I'll be in shorts and a Tshirt all the time! haha

now, I'm thinking about adding a small fan where the bulkhead lamp is and building a wood storage box by shortening the cushions.

 

[beetrootieee]

That's one slick setup woah. I really love the way you repurposed the dorade!!! Nice to hear the Newport is doing ok too.

 

[Godofhunger]

Wow, that is some clever thinking and good job on figuring things out. I am wondering, how's the smell and smoke? I mean, I'm sure you're not sitting in a tick cloud of smoke, but I'd like to understand if the setup is foolproof to avoid breathing in the smoke

 

[CrestlineCruiser]

When I upgraded my old Dana 24 with a Sardine stove, I had one of those "aha" moments with a vintage vent I found. It took me a couple of attempts to nail the draft. The first try was a disaster, it smoked like a campfire stuck in a closet! But after I figured out the right flue height and added some baffling, it turned into a cozy dream.

 

[sh3rbet_]

about seven years ago, I snagged this Pacific Seacraft 37, and I'd always dreamed of putting a fireplace in it, but just couldn't figure out the logistics

Then last August, I blew out a disc in my back. Two months later, I'm laid up rehabbing on the starboard settee, and boom!

It hit me, I use the existing starboard dorade vent for the exhaust, mount the fireplace on the starboard bulkhead, and that's it.

No new holes in the deck, and if it didn't work out, I could easily put it back to a vent. Genius, right?

I loved the Dickinson Newport I had in my old boat, so I checked it out again.

But then, a Cubic Mini stove caught my eye since I saw it on other boats. Bought one, plus a stainless steel back shield. Big mistake.

It was a beautiful, well-built little stove, but it just wouldn't draw. More smoke filled the cabin than went out the chimney.

So, there I was, out $660 with a pretty, useless steel anchor on my bulkhead. I bit the bullet and grabbed the Newport from Defender (Fisheries was closer and had free shipping, but they were out).

I kept the SS shield and mounted the Newport right onto it. I even added a pipe heat shield and wrapped the upper pipe in Kevlar muffler wrap, so it's cool to the touch when running.

On deck, there's just a 22" pipe section that stores easily when we're underway. This setup is seriously amazing.

One small log burns for 45 minutes and cranks out so much heat, I'll be in shorts and a Tshirt all the time! haha

now, I'm thinking about adding a small fan where the bulkhead lamp is and building a wood storage box by shortening the cushions.

I think this is a game changer for heat distribution. You're on the right track with placing it near the lamp. T
he goal is to move the hot air that rises from the stove and circulate it throughout the cabin.
A low power, quiet 12V DC fan is what you need. A lot of sailors swear by brands like Caframo or Hella Marine. You could even use a small, low-amp computer fan and hide it for a clean look