Anyone use one of these portable Buddy propane heaters?

[wasabi]

I am considering one of these portable Buddy or Big Buddy propane heaters made by Mr. Heater. It would be used in my boat in such a manner that it won't tip over. My question for anybody that uses one is how far away can one sit and still feel the warmth of the unit? I suspect I would not want to be any closer than 4' but no further away than say 6' given experience with somewhat similar designed propane heaters.

[Illinoisgiller]

I use one of these in my ice fishing shanty.
I would question the safety of having open flame in a boat due to possibility of gas fumes. You wouldn't see the flame in the daylight but there is a light rolling flame from time to time across the ceramic.
This heater has a neat safety feature. If only slightly bumped, it will shut down. Also if a puff of breeze hits it it will shut down.
Works great inside a ice shack.
If you could feel the heat 4' away in an open boat I would be shocked. I can put a pair of damp gloves within an inch of the guard grill on the front for a short time in the ice shack. ole Mike

[FroggerZack]

Maybe a foot or two max from you to feel the warmth. I had one in my boat yesterday and had problems with wind blowing out the pilot light which shuts down the unit. Where it really came in nice was cleaning fish! Set that bad boy behind you on high and it will keep you nice and toasty!

[supergooser]

my friend has one in his duckboat and it will freeze you to death. i use a mr. heater on a 20lb. tank. you have to be careful but it will keep you warm.

[poppop]

I got one I used in a small, small camper during hunting season a couple of years back...it was all it could do to keep the camper warm. I definately would not buy another one myself. I doubt it would keep you warm on a boat at all unless you are enclosed.

[gabowman]

I bought a new one off Ebay a year or so ago and wasnt pleased at all. All I wanted it for was to warm my hands but as already mentioned a small breeze would blow out the flame, even on high setting. I even tried blocking off the breeze with aluminum foil but that didnt help out much either. Since then, I've bought one of those golf cat heaters made by coleman. It doesnt have a blower on it, just heats a grid and is flameless (wind cannot blow it out) and have been very pleased. I just set it between my feet and light it up.

[rieve]

i have one and use it in the boat to keep my hands warm but if the wind is blowing it will blow it out. If the wind blows it out it is probably time to leave any way.

[gabowman]

I bought a new one off Ebay a year or so ago and wasnt pleased at all. All I wanted it for was to warm my hands but as already mentioned a small breeze would blow out the flame, even on high setting. I even tried blocking off the breeze with aluminum foil but that didnt help out much either. Since then, I've bought one of those golf cat heaters made by coleman. It doesnt have a blower on it, just heats a grid and is flameless (wind cannot blow it out) and have been very pleased. I just set it between my feet and light it up.

Here's the one I am using now. Is a good hand warmer heater.

[wasabi]

Thanks, guys. I can now see how it would not do good in an open boat like I have. I might give that golf unit another look.

[beagle man]

nice post wasabi, I also was thinking of such a heater, now I think not. you can always count on good advice on here. later man