Visit our Popular Forums

MikeMak · 20-04-2009, 10:03

Does anyone have a suggestion for making hot water at anchor without running an engine or the generator? I am aware of "solar" showers, but I am looking for "plumbed" hot water.

Thanks for your help,

Mike

nautical62 · 20-04-2009, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMak

Does anyone have a suggestion for making hot water at anchor without running an engine or the generator? I am aware of "solar" showers, but I am looking for "plumbed" hot water.

Thanks for your help,

Mike

When I traveled in Turkey, many homes heated their water by running it through a black PVC grid on their roof. I see no reason a simlar system couldn't be used on a sailboat using a hard dodger or cabin top for example.

sabray · 20-04-2009, 10:33

could be a propane on demand hw heater might work for you. Also webasto, espar and others make a heater that could exchange heat into a marine hot water heater

Yachts66 · 20-04-2009, 11:02

We have a Webasco radiant heating system on board, when it's running we have unlimited hot water. When it's not turned on, there is a switch which gives us hot water without heating the boat. Pretty cool that. The energy source for this is diesel and it works well. We burn about one gallon per day to heat the boat and provide hot water.....unless it's very, very cold. That estimate is based on the companies projection, not actual use. As the diesel comes out of our main tanks it's impossible to tell for sure. I guess if I had very deep pockets and a lot of motivation I could install a mearuring device on the fuel line, but I don't, so I won't.

Regards,

TJ

Cheechako · 20-04-2009, 12:33

I'm thinking of putting in a small on-demand unit: Eccotemp L5. Check it out. It's got good reviews. $120. "not for inside use", but that's becuase it vents the burner through the top. If you use it near an opening or open the hatch in place it's in I would think it's OK. (Your propane stove vents 3 or 4 burners in the cabin, right?) I had a Paloma in the mid 80's that worked out pretty nice, it did kind of run hot and cold while showering though. These newer units dont seem to have any complaints about that. The Eccotemp comes with a regulator for a std. Propane tank and uses 1/2" pipe fittings. 14.5 tall x 11.5 wide x 4.5 deep.

Southern Star · 20-04-2009, 12:46

Cheechako, I am not familiar with the Eccotemp, but I have a similar system on my boat that works flawlessly.

Brad

Cheechako · 20-04-2009, 12:47

what kind do you have?

Southern Star · 20-04-2009, 13:27

Sorry Cheechako, the brand isn't coming to me at the moment, but they were used by various yacht builders in Europe, England and North America in the 80's and 90's. Apart from Solaris yachts (the builder of my current boat), I know the same model was used by Hinterhoeller on the Nonsuch and Niagara series of yachts. I believe that they were manufactured in Sweden.

Anyway, I'll check this weekend, but perhaps someone else can help with the name in the interim.

Brad