Propane heaters in boats

[Lundman 1700]

I've seen lots of guys with the portable, Mr. Heater type, propane heaters in their boats for those cold spring and fall fishing trips but I am wondering how safe they are around all the vinyl and plastic parts of the boat's interior. Any horror stories anyone is willing to share?
The reason I'm asking is because I just purchased one and am thinking of using a plastic milk crate to keep the 20 pound propane tank in to give it more stability. Anyone have any better suggestions or safety tips?

[Hook'em]

I had one of those propane heaters that you put on top of a 2 gallon or 5 gallon propane tank. But that thing got too heavy and just in the way of fishing. So I bought one of those Mr. Heater for $89. It uses those 1 lb bottles. I bring two bottles with me and it'll last me all day without any problem. I bought an adapter to refill the 1 lb bottle from the 20 lb tanks and that helps save cost on buying those little guys.

I put the heater on the vinyl floor of my 1950 Lund walk through. Just put it right between the two console's. Fit's like a glove there. Doesn't get the plastic hot or the floor even warm. But it puts out enough heat to take the chill out of the air.

Hope that helps.

[Flame thrower]

I sit mine on my portable gas tank
If you crack your vapor valve you will
be nice and toasty in a short while:+

[JCarp]

This is my 2nd yr using a 5/10/15,000 btu sunflower with a 20 lb tank in a milk crate. Works fine. It's either in the back or next to the single console.

[Currentbreak]

Lundman the heaters work great in the boat. I did not like the idea of the 20# pig rolling around the boat, so I used a 2'x 2' Pc. of
3/4" plywood with 3 eye bolts & tee nuts placed in triangle around the pc. I then used the hvy bungy cords to strap it down.You can not tip it over if you bump in to it. I just keep it on the board all the time. I also used about a 10" pc of I think 8" round furnace pipe
with a tabbed take off adapter riveted on it, and this all riveted to
the cone of the heater. The grate from yhe heater fits in side the pipe
This keeps the flame away and acts like a radiator. You can also take
one of the little flint starters for a colman lantern, and mtd it on the cone back by the flame.
Two other ways we use to get heat in the boat, are take a lantern, or single burner stove and put them in a 5 gal metal bucket. Put the bucket just under the seat behind,or in front of you.

stay warm, catch more fish

[MudflatsJack]

I use a heater and I have a tiller. I'm carful do to fuel vapors when I'm on the stern side.

[xnodakkid]

I agree with HOOK'em. I bought a MR. HEATER Portable Buddy last year and it works great for the boat. It fit between the console of my 1800 Fisherman Lund. The rear clearance is O" and can be set directly against the side of the boat and it does not effect the floor even on the hightest setting. It is also very stable even when the boat is running, However, it may be hard to keep it lit when you are running. Good Luck.

[Chris]

Hook,..I thought with the new propane tanks now those adaptors didn't work,..untrue? Where did you get yours?