Simple correlationsh=C·qn for experimental results in nucleate pool boiling often exhibit a wide scatter in the constant and the exponent. Among the many parameters responsible, an effect from confining boundaries causing flow recirculation, cannot be excluded. Heat transfer experiments were performed in a cylindrical and rectangular vessel on finned tubes in a single and twin arrangement. The cylindrical vessel had a smaller fluid cross section area than the rectangular vessel. Although the tubes were identical in geometry (except for length) and surface roughness, they yielded clearly different results. The heat transfer coefficients in the cylindrical vessel were always larger than in the rectangular one.