Dickinson Newport Solid Fuel Heater 00-NEWSF

A Practical Solid Fuel Heater Built for Smaller Boats

The Dickinson Newport Solid Fuel Heater is purpose-built for boaters who want a reliable, no-fuss source of supplementary warmth in a compact cabin. Sized for vessels in the 20 to 25 foot range, it mounts to a bulkhead and takes up minimal space while still delivering meaningful heat output. Whether you are extending your sailing season into cooler months or simply want to take the chill off a damp evening at anchor, the Newport provides steady, dry heat without the complexity of diesel or propane systems.

Constructed from marine-grade stainless steel, the Newport is built to handle the moisture-rich environment found aboard any boat. The stainless exterior requires minimal maintenance and can be cleaned with standard stainless steel cleaners or a non-abrasive scotch-brite pad when needed.

Fuel Flexibility: What the Newport Burns

One of the practical strengths of the Newport is its ability to burn a variety of solid fuels, giving you options depending on what is available. The combustion chamber is sized for small loads, and it is important not to overfill it, as too much fuel can generate excessive heat and damage the interior lining.

Approved fuel types and approximate maximum loads include:

• Softwood (pine, spruce, fir): up to 10 pieces, each approximately 1 inch x 1 inch x 5 inches, with a burn time of roughly 15 to 30 minutes
• Hardwood (oak, maple, beech): up to 10 pieces, each approximately 1 inch x 1 inch x 5 inches, with a burn time of roughly 25 to 45 minutes
• Charcoal briquettes: up to 12 standard briquettes, with a burn time of approximately 90 to 120 minutes
• Presto log slices: 1 to 2 slices at 1 inch thick
• Coal or peat: small handfuls as appropriate
• Note: engineered or manufactured firewood with an artificially elevated BTU rating should be avoided, as it can overheat the firebox

How the Newport Heater Works: Natural Draft Operation

The Newport is a natural draft appliance, meaning it relies on the chimney to create the airflow needed for combustion rather than a fan or blower. As heated air rises through the chimney flue, it draws fresh combustion air into the firebox from below. The taller and straighter the chimney run, the stronger the draft and the more efficiently the heater burns.

Three elements must be balanced for clean, efficient combustion: adequate draft through the chimney, a sufficient supply of fresh oxygen, and the right amount of fuel relative to the available air. A permanently open fresh air vent in the cabin is required whenever the heater is in operation. This vent must be at least 3 inches in diameter and must not be blocked or restricted.

A barometric damper is also recommended to help regulate draft and give you finer control over the fuel-to-air mixture. Dickinson offers compatible barometric damper assemblies separately (Part 16-001 and Part 16-010) for use with the 3-inch chimney system.

Chimney Requirements and Installation Overview

Proper chimney installation is critical to the safe and effective operation of the Newport. The heater requires 3-inch diameter chimney pipe, and the installation must meet the following guidelines:

• Chimney pipe diameter: 3 inches (7.5 cm)
• Minimum chimney height: 4 feet
• Maximum chimney height: 10 feet
• Recommended run: a straight 5 to 6 foot run with no elbows for best draft
• If elbows are necessary, use 45-degree elbows only and maintain a minimum of 12 inches of straight pipe from the top of the heater
• A through-deck fitting is required; the 3-inch exhaust pipe requires a 5-inch hole in the deck with a 1-inch air gap all around the chimney pipe
• The heater should be mounted as close to the floor as possible to maximise stack length and heat convection
• Safety clearance of 8 inches must be maintained on all sides; combustible materials within this zone must be protected with insulation, millboard, and a metal liner with a 0.5-inch standoff

Operating the Newport: Lighting and Damper Control

Getting the Newport going is a straightforward process. Before lighting, open the damper control on the front of the ash drawer by sliding the brass knob to the right, then close the sliding panel on the front door. Light the fuel using any standard fire lighter or starter, taking care not to overfill the combustion chamber.

Once the fuel has ignited, the sliding panel can be opened and the damper adjusted to extend the burn. Both the sliding door knob and the damper control become hot during operation, so hand protection should always be worn when making adjustments. When the fire has burned down, the ash drawer clip lock can be lifted to remove the tray for emptying.

The heater produces a dry heat that helps reduce moisture buildup inside the cabin, which is particularly useful during damp shoulder-season conditions.

Safety Considerations for Solid Fuel Heating Aboard

As with any combustion appliance aboard a vessel, safe operation requires attention to a few key points. The manufacturer's manual should be read in full before installation and use. Key safety requirements include:

• Never operate the heater unattended
• A permanently open fresh air vent must be present whenever the heater is running
• Do not attempt to burn oil or gas fuels in this heater
• Do not overfill the combustion chamber
• Install a CO alarm in the boat
• Do not operate the heater if you are experiencing downdrafts
• The heater body and exhaust pipe become very hot during operation - use hand protection when making any adjustments

Specifications

• Width: 7.88 inches
• Height: 14.7 inches
• Depth: 10 inches
• Weight: 15 lbs (7 kg)
• Firebox Interior Dimensions: 5 inches x 5.5 inches x 8 inches
• Heat Output (Low): 3,000 BTU (approx.)
• Heat Output (High): 8,000 BTU (approx.)
• Construction Material: Marine-grade stainless steel
• Mounting Style: Bulkhead mount
• Required Chimney Pipe Diameter: 3 inches (7.5 cm)
• Minimum Chimney Height: 4 feet
• Maximum Chimney Height: 10 feet
• Recommended Chimney Run: 5 to 6 feet straight, no elbows
• Minimum Straight Pipe from Top of Heater (if elbows used): 12 inches (28 cm)
• Safety Clearance (all sides): 8 inches
• Required Fresh Air Vent Diameter: Minimum 3 inches
• Deck Hole Required for Through-Deck Fitting: 5 inches (for 3-inch chimney pipe, with 1-inch air gap)
• Softwood Fuel Load (max): 10 pieces, each approx. 1 in. x 1 in. x 5 in.
• Softwood Approximate Burn Time: 15 to 30 minutes
• Hardwood Fuel Load (max): 10 pieces, each approx. 1 in. x 1 in. x 5 in.
• Hardwood Approximate Burn Time: 25 to 45 minutes
• Charcoal Briquette Fuel Load (max): 12 standard briquettes
• Charcoal Briquette Approximate Burn Time: 90 to 120 minutes
• Warranty: 1 year limited, original purchaser only

Key Features 

• Compact bulkhead-mount design: fits neatly in small cabins without taking up floor space, ideal for boats in the 20 to 25 foot range
• Versatile solid fuel compatibility: burns wood, charcoal briquettes, coal, peat, and presto log slices, so you can use what is available
• 3,000 to 8,000 BTU heat output: enough supplementary warmth to take the chill off a small cabin during cooler conditions
• Produces dry heat: helps reduce cabin moisture and dampness, useful during shoulder-season boating
• Removable ash drawer with clip lock: makes cleanup quick and easy without tools
• Built-in manual damper control: lets you adjust the burn rate and extend fuel burn times for more efficient heating
• Replaceable interior lining: extends the working life of the heater, protecting your investment over many seasons
• Marine-grade stainless steel construction: resists the corrosive effects of salt air and moisture in the marine environment
• Natural draft operation: no electricity or fuel lines required, keeping installation simple and reducing points of failure
• Barometric damper compatible: works with Dickinson's separately available barometric damper assemblies to improve draft control in variable wind conditions
• Comprehensive documentation included: English and French installation manuals, burn times reference guide, and product brochure available for download