How We Stayed Warm Living on a Boat in Winter (UK Liveaboard Life) ❄️
- ericaoliviasilva24
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 26
Before our first winter on the boat, I had visions of being permanently cold.
You know the kind — multiple jumpers, cold hands, condensation everywhere, and just generally questioning all your life choices.
But honestly… we’ve been warmer on the boat than we ever were in our old cottage.
That place had “character” (aka you could feel the wind through the windows). This boat, on the other hand, is basically airtight — and once we figured out how to manage the heat properly, it’s actually been really comfortable.
🔥 Diesel heater (our main heat source)
The absolute biggest game-changer has been our diesel heater. Unlike a small space heater that just warms one corner, this system ducts heat throughout the entire boat. Once it’s running, the air feels dry and "crisp" rather than that damp, heavy chill you often expect on the water.
It’s not the most glamorous piece of kit, but it’s the heart of our winter setup. We use the 12V 5KW-8KW Diesel Air Heater—it’s been incredibly reliable and manages to keep the saloon at a toasty 20°C even when the frost is thick on the deck.
Budget Option: 12V 5KW-8KW Diesel Air Heater
Premium Option: Eberspächer Link
Heated blanket (unexpected MVP)
We also have a heated blanket on the couch — and honestly, it might be my favourite thing onboard in winter.
Sometimes you don’t want to heat the whole space, you just want to be warm right now.
This is the heated blanket we use — it’s ridiculously cosy.
💧 Dehumidifiers (secret weapon)
One thing I didn’t fully appreciate before was how important moisture control is.
Our dehumidifiers don’t just deal with condensation — they actually kick out a surprising amount of heat too, which makes everything feel drier and warmer.
It changes the whole feel of the boat.
We use a small dehumidifier like this one — makes a huge difference in winter.
Moisture control makes a huge difference to how warm a boat feels overall.
The reality
That’s not to say it’s always perfect.
You’re still very aware you’re on a boat in winter. There are cold mornings, and you do think about heat more than you would in a house. But it’s nowhere near as uncomfortable as I expected. Heating and electricity are definitely things you become more aware of living aboard: Cost of Living on a Sailboat in the UK
What actually keeps you warm on a boat
It’s not one thing — it’s a combination of:
Proper heating (diesel heater)
Managing moisture (dehumidifier)
Small comforts (heated blanket)
Get those right, and it’s actually a really nice place to be.
Final thought
If anything, this winter has made the boat feel even more like home.
Snow on deck, wrapped up inside, everything warm and contained — it’s a different kind of cosy, but I think I prefer it.
What we use to stay warm onboard:
Diesel heater: 12V 5KW-8KW Diesel Air Heater
Heated blanket: heated blanket
Dehumidifier: this one
If you’re preparing for winter boat life:
(Some of these are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
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