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malbert73 · 12-09-2009, 06:06

So on our recent week long sailing trip-- sigh-- my wife's first shower was cool, not nice and hot as usual. I started the engine again and ran for 15 min- usually enough for several showers- and it still was cool. Worse yet, some air pockets seemed to be coming through the hot water.

Sure enough- the tank is leaking. It appears ancient, so will need to be replaced.

I have looked in Defender and West, and it appears there is a wide variance of prices and brands. The proces vary from low 200s for a Seaward or Kuuma tank to higher for Raritan and Isotherm. I probably will install only a 6-10 gallon tank.

Any advice or rationalization for difference in prices, especially for part-time (non liveaboard) use?

**Christian Van H** · 12-09-2009, 07:47

Best Marine Electric Water Heater?

**barnakiel** · 12-09-2009, 10:48

Isotherm started leaking and became irreparable ... And man it was expensive. Avoid.

b.

**forsailbyowner** · 12-09-2009, 11:04

Since were on the subject, and something else to consider. I bought a new water heater for $200 from NOS at boatyard. Upon looking over saw it has substantially smaller heat transfer tube than the rest of the cooling system lines. Wondering if I install am I going to have problem keeping engine cool due to restricted flow. Coolant line is 1.125" line in water heater is .75". Perkins 4.108 lowline. Original installation had water heater inline between ex manifold and heat exchanger taking full coolant flow.

**Christian Van H** · 12-09-2009, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Isotherm started leaking and became irreparable ... And man it was expensive. Avoid.

b.

I have NEVER heard anyone diss Isotherm before. How old was this unit, and did you contact the manufacturer?

HobieFan · 12-09-2009, 13:33

I have a propane water heater in my new boat. The previous owner installed it because he hated running the diesel to get a shower.

It can take a small separate propane tank tucked beside the holding tank, or can probably be spliced into the main propane lines. It hangs on the wall in the head. Sure, it's a little unsightly, but it has a plastic cover and a heat dial right on the unit and it offers "on demand" hot water without a tank and without using diesel.

Worth a thought. No advice on a "real" unit though. Good luck!

Here a photo of the unit.

IMGP0108 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

**witzgall** · 12-09-2009, 14:41

There is a reseller on eBay selling Webasto water heaters for very good prices. I just ordered one to replace our original equipment heater, that is engine heat-only. It is a 30 litre model, with 110v, engine heat and a second loop if we ever decide to install a Webasto or Espar hydronic system.

If you are patient, I'll post me impressions when it arrives.

Chris

limmer · 12-09-2009, 16:08

force 10, cheap and the company seems to be doing ok, so I believe they will be around if or when I have problems with it. but so far it has given me no trouble for 4 years.

CarlF · 12-09-2009, 16:50

I'm have a Superstor and have been happy. I chose it because the company's primary business is high efficiency water heaters and boilers (mostly for houses and commercial use). I'm hoping that they really care about quality and haven't outsourced it to China. I'm really saddened at the many "trusted" marine equipment names who's products suddenly become unreliable because they outsource manufacturing to low labor cost countries like China. A friend recently told me of a stainless hot water heater tank that failed in less than a year because it was welded with mild steel rods.

One other factor to consider is the amount of insulation. My Superstor is so well insulated that I can have a hot shower in the morning when the engine was last run the previous noon time. No engine noise to spoil the morning anchorage!

Carl

**s/v Jedi** · 12-09-2009, 21:59

Isotherm and Superstor seem to be the best options around. I had/have both and prefer the Isotherm 40 liter. It has a stainless tank and stainless outer casing.

ciao!
Nick.

Sailormann · 12-09-2009, 22:16

I put an Isotherm unit in our boat this spring. It works but it is not as fast as the Atlantic that it replaced. It holds the heat fairly well.

**s/v Jedi** · 12-09-2009, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailormann

I put an Isotherm unit in our boat this spring. It works but it is not as fast as the Atlantic that it replaced. It holds the heat fairly well.

Do you mean using the electric element or the heat exchanger?

I think the element is only 1kW (drawing 8A out of 120V here). The Superstor I had was a 1200W element.

My 40 liter Isotherm takes 15-20 minutes on electric and 5 minutes on heat exchanger (fed by genset coolant) to produce hot water.

ciao!
Nick.