Installing a Diesel Cabin Heater Cabin Heater Heat Shield Installed Although Westsail provided a tiled area for a cabin heater behind and above the main salon seating on the main bulkhead, I felt that in order to get proper draft and to keep the heat near our feet, I should mount a heater lower in the cabin.  The natural place place to install it was just to starboard of the original tiled area, along the centerline.  By locating a heater there, I can enclose the original tiled area for use with a day tank and additional storage.  I'll tile above the stainless steel heat shields.  There will be vent holes in the bulkhead behind the bulkhead heat shield to direct some heat into the head area.  During this process it was found that the doorway and the cabinetry are not square with each other, so some fudging will be required in the tiled area. Cabin Heater Installation Concept