We had the first one installed in our Sabre 42 (hull #4) in 1989. When Sabre hooked it up, they tried to use the two fan speeds. When we first used it, it wasn't really cold (I was trying it out)...the glow plug stopped working.

It was right before the Annapolis Boat Show. Sabre said they really didn't know much the units yet; however, they said that the owner of the US eastcoast distributor was going to be at the boat show. They said he would stop by the boat on Saturday morning before the show and "look at it" -- then they would arrange to correct the situation.

Just after about 8:00 AM I get a call on my mobile, a guy introducing himself as Mike Bowden and asks if he can stop by the boat. Down he comes a few minutes later in a sport coat, slacks, and tie (dressed to man their booth at the Boatshow.)

He looks at the control panel and said that he "told them" not to hook-up the standard contol switch to allow the low fan speed. The control hadn't been provided for a marine setting (it was the truck model that they used for boats at the time). Mike asked me if I had a couple of wrenches and a screwdriver? The next thing I know, he's taken his jacket, shirt, tie, and shoes off. He climbs into our stern lazzarette with a spare glo plug that I had been provided with. He replaces it in the unit. Checks the functions out and climbs out of the lazzarette. He appoligized for the inconvenience, said they'd send me a replacement spare glo-plug. Then he washed his hands, got his shirt, tie, shoes, and jacket back on and went-off to the show.

Mike still owns Ocean Options over two decades later. He hasn't changed a bit, except he has a lot more people working for him.

Anyway...The Espar's we've had get a bunch of use in the Fall season and a fair bit of use in the Winter and Spring. We've had very few issues with them.

If you don't have the metering pump, duct work (to allow for good flow), and exhaust vent, then you will have some issues. The metering pump -- which is a simple device is essential because the pump doesn't have a return. The simple paper filters on the fuel supply are easy to replace (though we've never found them to be gunked-up) every few years. We keep our cover on the stern exhaust discharge when we are in periods of warm weather sailing. I have a ciruit breaker switch to disable the unit so someone can't inadvertantly turn on the heater without the exhaust connected. Our return air is for the inside of the boat, not directly from the locker or the "outside" air to save energy. Both of our heads, all three of the sleeping cabins, and the salon are served by one unit. The heat comes in low and really takes the edge off. We have run the unit in the "summer" in main and offshore. It's much more comfortable than a reverse cycle AC unit for heating because the heat comes in low.