I didn't mean to keep you in suspense.......
I was waiting to take some photos to include with the update, but, I can add those later. This install went quite well. Basically, as with most jobs, there were several phases to the project - Fuel supply, Power and Thermostat wiring, Ducting (fresh air/combustion air/hot air for heating/exhaust), and finally, the install of the unit itself.
Finding a place to install the unit is probably the biggest challenge and I chose an area at the top of the hull, inside the starboard cockpit locker. I bonded 2 pieces of epoxy-soaked, solid mahogany approx 1"x2.5"x14" to the inside of the hull, about 2" and 8" below the deck/hull joint. I used 3M 5200 for this task. The L-shaped aluminum Espar mounting bracket was firmly screwed onto the mahagony rails. This location positions the heating unit up and out of the way of most things that would be stored in that locker, but, gives good access to the heater for service and/or troubleshooting. All the other phases of the install are dependent on the heater placement and this location also offers good access for ducts, wiring, and fuel. We decided that we would mount the thermostat unit on the forward side of the nav station bulkhead, by the dinette. I am installing a new electrical panel at the head of the quarter berth, so routing 10 guage 12v supply wiring through that area enabled me to follow the same run with the thermostat control cable.
Perhaps the scariest moment was preparing to drill the 2" diameter hole through the hull for the combustion exhaust pipe thru-hull. I positioned it about 4" below the deck/hull joint and approximately 3 feet forward of the transom on the starboard side. It went great! I had an existing large hole in the "helm seat" portion of the aft (steering) cockpit that the old Benmar autopilot control head occupied. It made a great fresh air intake when covered with an appropriate splashproof grill! BTW, I hate (underline "hate") putting (new) holes in my boat! A P/O had installed a Wallas forced air furnace in the hanging locker across from the head, so fortunately, many of the large holes already existed for heating ducts that would be hidden in the settee bases and under the stove and v-berth. I had to add 3" duct outlets in the port-side quarter berth and the head. Installing the actually Espar unit itself was the easy part! 15 minutes, tighten a few hose clamps and 4 mounting nuts and washers was all it took.
Installing the fuse, activating the 12v power and flipping the thermostat switch to "on" produced the characteristic Espar whirring noise and within 5 minutes, the cabin was nice and toasty! What a satisfying installation. With the weather here hovering below freezing for the last couple of weeks, we have really appreciated what a wonderful addition the Espar has been. The relative humidity in the boat is much lower than it has been with electric heat only. When you open the hatch now after the boat has been sealed up for a while, you are greeted by a sweet-smelling, rush of warm air. Very nice!