demand hot water system

Anybody using a propane on-demand hot water system? I've been told that some insurance companies will deny coverage if you have one.

[Talbot]

yes I have a Rinnai that I use for hot water/showers.

They are fine if your boat is upright and you have installed an adequate flue etc. They really dont like being tipped on their side and used, and they are not partial to freezing temperatures, so either have a warm boat or drain the hot water heater.

[Harriet]

We had a Wolter on demand hot water heater on our PDQ and were very pleased with it. I've forgotten the name of the company that Jerry Wolter sold to (I'm thinking Precision Temp?), but we found the customer service to be quite good. And I've never heard of an insurance company denying coverage for a boat with an on demand propane heater - but since our catamaran didn't heel, the propane may have been more of a non-issue.

In any case, I wouldn't hesitate to use one again.

[marc]

Harriet is correct about http://pecisiontemp.com/. I also have one on my catamaran, and it's virtually trouble free with no insurance problems.
I also had an on-demand propane HW heater on my last boat, a monohull, and had no trouble with heeling (ugh!), round trip to Bermuda. The brand escapes my mind, but most Niagara 35s came equipped with them.
Marc

[Jeff H]

My boat originally had a Palarmo (not sure of the spelling) which were very popular in the 1980's. These units did not have proper venting and make up air and so were very dangerous. As a result it was removed. If you decide to go the on-demand propane route, make sure that you follow all of the requirements for a carbon monoxide sniffer/ propane sniffer connected to an automatic cut off, and that the unit has intake as well as exhaust flues.

Jeff

[marc]

I knew as soon as I posted that I would remember the brand. Its Paloma.
Marc

[marc]

My Paloma was mounted high,and had a "Charley Noble" stack.
My Precicion Temp has a power venting system. but is mounted outsie the living area
marc