I need to safely heat up my boat and melt all the snow that's inside it.

[oops!]

Re: I need to safely heat up my boat and melt all the snow that's inside it.

take the boat to a heated parking lot....if you cant....

take a blow dryer to your bilge drain/garboard plug......clear out the debris that caused the water to back up
tent the bottom of the boat........put your oil heater in there and forget about it for a while.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I need to safely heat up my boat and melt all the snow that's inside it.

jim you're right, but what I meant was, once it's frozen, the damage, if any, is done and it won't get worse as long as it stays frozen. But whether it's water or ice, it shouldn't be remaining in your bilge in the first place.

 

[444]

Re: I need to safely heat up my boat and melt all the snow that's inside it.

My first choice would be to find a local shop and talk to them and see if they will let you keep your boat in their garage overnight for a few bucks. Unfortunately, even sitting overnight indoors may not be long enough to melt all the ice out of there, depending on how much there is. The infrared heater is a decent idea, as is the submersable heater. I have a vented, diesel fired torpedoe heater that I would just park under the boat if I was in your position. Throw a tarp over the boat to try and keep the heat in somewhat. The heat will rise up and heat the boat from the bottom and thaw it that way.

FWIW I never even considered leaving my boat outside over winter. I rent indoor storage space from a guy. The $150 per winter he charges me is well worth it. I give him a few extra bucks and he lets me keep it at his indoor place during the summer and come and grab it when I want to use it. The peace of mind is worth a lot more $ than what he charges.

 

[rickryder]

Re: I need to safely heat up my boat and melt all the snow that's inside it.

Gutter heater,heat gun,halogen lights,electric heater all great ideas...

 

[joed]

Re: I need to safely heat up my boat and melt all the snow that's inside it.

If you have a place for the water to darin the hot water from the hose idea was the first thing I thought of.
Maybe one of those steam cleaning machines, I think they are called a shark.