Access to water heater ( C 320)

[john6206]

I spent a little more than 24 hours on my boat trying to do projects and got remarkably little done.
I have a bunch of questions, I might make several post to try to keep them focused.

The hot water STINKS!

Reading in the sanitation thread, the wisdom seems to be that the anode has gone bad. Looking at the manual of the seaward 6 gallon water heater, I’m not sure there is an anode - BUT defender marine sells a replacement!

Either way, I thought draining the tank and filling it with fresh water might be a good start. I can’t get a hose on the drain, there just isn’t enough geometry.

About the time I had to leave - I think I figured it out.

Is the secret to remove the drawers from the kitchen cabinet, and then remove the 1/4 plywood “wall” between the drawers and the undersink?

I hope that was clear, my wife couldn’t understand what I was talking about.

by the way.

the ”mirror on a stick” tool, and the stub screwdrivers that I’ve had for decades but rarely used, have suddenly become essential!

 

[Foswick]

I spent a little more than 24 hours on my boat trying to do projects and got remarkably little done.

That is just about every 24 hours, for me.

I can't offer anything in the way of useful advice for your boat. I will just say that, when you figure it out, you can come work on my heater. It is original equipment (1975) and nearly impossible to get to. I am dreading the day it eventually gives out.

Hopefully my comisery is some comfort.

 

[JoeWhite]

John. I had to replace my 6-gallon water heater.
Visit Water Heater Replacement | Sail La Vie
It may help you. Mine is C36.
View the album for complete installation images.

 

[john6206]

@Foswick it’s amazing how unproductive boat project time is!

 

[Allan12210]

I have learned there is no 5 minute job. Also, every job takes all the available time. If you have a day it will take that long. If you have a weekend the same job will take that. Or a week.

Regarding access to the drain, after taking out the drawers, can you get a hole saw on a drill motor in there to make a nice round hole for access? I had to do that for access to my raw water valve by cutting a hole under the aft settee. That made the task of shutting the through hull so much easier as I didn't have to stretch over a hot engine or unload all the stuff we stored on the berth. Raw Water Shut Off Access Port -- At Last

 

[john6206]

@Allan12210
yikes! I hope not. That water heater got in there somehow.

I did get 4 small projects done in my 22 hours on the boat. Didn’t get either of the MAIN projects done. Should have stayed an extra day - big storm was coming in and I decided I’d rather be home.

Storm turned out to be a little wind and rain.

 

[Stu Jackson]

The hot water STINKS!

Fresh Water System Recommissioning 101 - Peggie Hall's "Cocktail" Rotten Egg Odor hot water "rotten egg" odor

 

[john6206]

Fresh Water System Recommissioning 101 - Peggie Hall's "Cocktail" Rotten Egg Odor hot water "rotten egg" odor

yup.

Eagerly awaiting delivery of Peggy’s book, because this boat seems to have all the odors.

 

[john2]

i say rip it all out, every hose. clean and/or replace filters , connections pump. get a new boiler as wel. it's old and dirty inside.
use only good stuf! what Peggy says.

I did, and glad now the boat has no more smells

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I've thought of replacing my heater but it has been functioning well so I have left it alone for now. As shown in the photos, the front frame comes completely out very easily to give you full access to the heater. However, the sink drain may interfere to some extent. I replaced my sink last spring and modified the drain location. It was a little tricky but with new hoses and a simplified drain (single basin) it has worked out very well. I am planning to replace the heat exchanger hoses this winter so I will have it apart again. I've never heard of an anode for this tank. If there is one, that's news to me.

BTW, do you find the double basin configuration as useless as I have? You can't fit a regular plate in either basin. Best improvement (according to Sue) was putting in a new sink. The stainless looked like junk anyway.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I've never heard of an anode for this tank. If there is one, that's news to me.

Looks like it is optional if the freshwater system in your area is prone to causing corrosion (tap water with a concentration of dissolved salt). Defender's description says that it replaces the drain plug if you choose to install it. I don't know why corrosion or a depleted anode would lead to smell. The smell is probably related to some other malady, I think.

The tank itself is aluminum (the outer jacket may be galvanized steel, stainless steel or epoxy-coated aluminum). I'm pretty sure that Catalina installed the galvanized option. Corrosion on the outer jacket (if any) doesn't matter. You would notice corrosion inside the tank if you find white powder-like material in the water. I don't like aluminum tanks for potable water for that reason and prefer a stainless tank. But the stainless tank makers are more expensive, for sure. I will replace mine eventually, but I'll have to admit that there is nothing wrong with my 26 year-old Seaward tank so far!

 

[Tally Ho]

New sink looks nice Scott.

I like the double bowl sink on my O’Day 322, but the bowls are a bit small. I wish I could find like a 60/40 sink with one bigger and one smaller bowl. But the space is probably not big enough. So your single bowl sink may be the best option. I put a new faucet in Tally Ho this year with a pull-out head.

What sort of faucet are you using on your remodel?

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I chose this because it matches the sink & looks like it is fixed, but the handle does pull out & has 2 spray settings.

 

[Tally Ho]

looks nice (and functional).


Greg