Hot Water Tank Options?

[sailprincess]

My new (but old!) sailboat has an ancient hot water heater that is really rusted badly at the bottom and can't be used (we think it was not a marine hot water heater) Knowing nothing about hot water tanks, what do you recommend? What would a new hot water heater cost? Is it better to put a tankless hot water heater in? It's a diesel engine. Not sure if that has anything to do with it!

[Bohemian17]

Don't put the tankless syatem in . The 110volt don't work worth a damn and the 220 volt only work well at 30 amp min. I just posted some water heaters on the classified section . Good deal too.

[svmariane]

I hear you... Had the same problem.

I just installed an Isotherm "Basic 24", 6.4 gal water heater.
Stainless Steel inside and out. Heats when engine is running or via my inverter.
Larger capacity models are available if desired.

This link is from West Marine for your reference. Shop around, though.

ISOTHERM Stainless-Steel Marine Water Heaters at West Marine

James

[westcoast]

If you have a Hydronic system onboard this is the best system,
Isotemp 40 ( 11gal). With dual heat exchanger.
110 (220) when on shore power, when engine is running heat from engine coolant and
When running your Espar hydronic heater you also heat your tank.
No valves to turn off and on just order the Isotemp tank with dual exchangers.
Installed my system last year and is great.

[Minggat]

One option is to do without, depending on your location, and/or your willingness to use a solar shower

Minggat has not had a water heater for years.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by sailprincess

My new (but old!) sailboat has an ancient hot water heater that is really rusted badly at the bottom and can't be used (we think it was not a marine hot water heater) Knowing nothing about hot water tanks, what do you recommend? What would a new hot water heater cost? Is it better to put a tankless hot water heater in? It's a diesel engine. Not sure if that has anything to do with it!

A "marine" unit might also be ignition protected and therefore OK for installation in the compartment with a gasoline engine... so yes, in a way, the info about your diesel could have something to do with the solution

-Chris

[Stumpkiller]

Last three boats have had Raritan electric heaters plumbed for engine heated exchange as well.

Though, as Minggat mentioned, we have two Solar Showers that do yeoman duty for bathing. Just as easy to forgore the heater underway and run a bit of water onto the coffee pot after meals to do dishes.

Someone is currently offering several unused Raritan water heaters at this moment here abouts on this forum.

[rw58ph]

I would buy what ever fits the space, the elecrreical and the connections. West Marine, Kuuma brand, is what I buy, $260.00 for 6 gallon an $330.00 for 11 gallon. both draw 12,4 amps, 120 volts AC. Both are stainless steel.

[lostsheep]

Why not a tankless on-demand propane heater? Ecotemp has several models available. The L5 is a portable unit, and with some ingenuity could serve as a permanent fixture. It only requires 20 psi to use it. At $149 USD it's a deal.

Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater | Eccotemp Tankless Water Heater | www.Eccotemp.com

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by lostsheep

Why not a tankless on-demand propane heater? Ecotemp has several models available. The L5 is a portable unit, and with some ingenuity could serve as a permanent fixture. It only requires 20 psi to use it. At $149 USD it's a deal.

Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater | Eccotemp Tankless Water Heater | www.Eccotemp.com

Not room sealed , dangerous on a boat ( dangerous to a point where they are banned in Europe )

Dave

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Not room sealed , dangerous on a boat ( dangerous to a point where they are banned in Europe )

Dave

and don't come close to ABYC standards

[HopCar]

I like the fact that Raritan water heaters are glass lined like home water heaters.
Some marine water heaters have aluminum tanks. I would avoid those. I don't think they last as long as Raritan's glass lined or stainless tanks.
Raritan Engineering | Water Heaters | 1700 Series

[lostsheep]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Not room sealed , dangerous on a boat ( dangerous to a point where they are banned in Europe )

Dave

I was thinking it could be hung on deck for a nice warm rinse.
Copy the CO danger in an enclosed area. Perhaps one of the other models, properly vented would work.

Guess you could always have the mate stand on deck and hold it and extend the hose below decks. Might cost a few Rum Jumbi's, tho', to placate the mate.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by lostsheep

Why not a tankless on-demand propane heater? Ecotemp has several models available. The L5 is a portable unit, and with some ingenuity could serve as a permanent fixture. It only requires 20 psi to use it. At $149 USD it's a deal.

Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater | Eccotemp Tankless Water Heater | www.Eccotemp.com

Ya...I know I will get hung for posting this but here goes. This is what I use. I made an exhaust manifold for it to vent it outside. The chimney occasionally gives me grief on a windy day. Generally works very well for $100. I use to have the small Paloma's. They worked very well for mw. I do understand the dangers.
P.S...The picture is before the vent stack pipe.

[zeehag]

over time i noticed that the MARINE water heaters, that stainless steel square box, will only last 5 years before corners begin to leak. we nearly lost a chris craft commander to that problem in mdr.
when i get a boat these days, first thing i do is remove the water heater and proceed sans hot water. wasnt easy to do in cold sd in winter, but with help from stovetop water heating and sun showers i got by for a few too many years...
this boat has no water heater as i removed it before i moved on board--it leaked and was a cause of rot and excessive cycling of bilge pumps...

here in tropical mexico, i really dont use hot water except from dock for dish washing and laundry---i use marina showers --- as of right now there ar e 3 different boats with living aboard souls occupying them, and marina is at less than 30 percent occupancy. it is summer. no one sails off pacific mexico in summer.
water from your tanks will be as warm as the air and surrounding 85-90 degree ocean... ....and your insurance wont allow your use of this awesome 5 star marina.....