Post by smileypete on Aug 7, 2016 22:03:13 GMT
Seems to me all the major brands have their fans and detractors - squirrels, boatmans, wenlocks, cheap ebay jobs.
Though problems may well be largely down to installation and use - cracked top plates, blocked stove baffle plates, excess smoke and chimney blocking.
Also in general it's best not to spec a size beyond what the boat really needs, same as for the webasto/eberspacher type diesel heaters
I know it's counter-intuitive but stoves with double walled flues tend to be more efficient. With single skin there is less draw and you seem to end up with more airflow going up the chimney. At the gliding club we had an old woodburner with a long single skinned flue up to the ceiling (that part of the clubhouse is double-height). It was never very warm. Then we replaced it with a new stove of similar output but with a double skinned flue. The new stove is much warmer and uses less wood.
so I'd say that especially in a boat with limited flue length, a double skinned flue would likely give a better result.
For a boat install, from an advice and liability POV it's easiest to recommend double skin if the stove mfr calls for it, any safety issues are then squarely down to the user.
But a competent user who can take full responsibility for their actions may eg. fit a single skin flue and remove any baffle plate from inside the stove.
Bit like Smartgauge vs voltmeter and ammeter, or charging calcium non VRLA batts above the supplier recommended voltages.