What is the most relaible water heater?

Sep 24, 2016
37
Hunter 33 Kingston
My kumma water heater leaks. Want to replace it once, so I am looking for the best water heater.
Heard a lot of good things about Raritan and Torrid, which is better- more reliable?
Can you recommend one that is better then both?
Thanks
 
Oct 22, 2014
20,992
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Bobby. I chose the Quick Windlass # BXS2512SL BX Series Water Heaters, 6.5 Gal. Square (13.0"H x 13.0"W x 18.9"L)
BA439400-5B9F-4A56-BC0C-23E21E9679BA.jpeg
Fits the space I have and keeps the water hot over night. Well insulated.
 
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Likes: Rick D
Aug 13, 2012
533
Catalina 270 Ottawa
Look at Isotemp (especially, the Isotherm SPA models). Not the cheapest, but very good quality.
 
Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
Hell my cheap Hunter OEM water heater is 17 years old, is it really worth spending a lot of sole searching for a "good" one?
 

Rick

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Oct 5, 2004
1,095
Hunter 420 Passage San Diego
My Force 10 started leaking last year and finally got bad. I have had now 4 different water heaters over the years in a couple of different boats. They all get tired of hot anti freeze and a salt environment and none of them stood out as being "good". I went with the Kumma. Bang for the buck. If I get 5 to 8 years out of it.... thats a win in my book. And the (if or when) replacement will take about 30 minutes to swap. Might be the exception to "buy once...cry once"
 
Sep 24, 2018
2,549
O'Day 25 Chicago
Since most of us aren't good at welding exotic materials perhaps this might be a good application for brazing?
 

Blitz

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Jul 10, 2007
672
Seidelmann 34 Atlantic Highlands, NJ
I like my Raritan, still on second one for the life of the boat (34 seasons) but like others said it also depends on what fits your boat as well and if you change the anodes.
Used in both the AC power heating and heat exchanger hearing mode.
 

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,131
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
I have had five water heaters in the last 30 years. You can do the math. All failed at the coolant line and tank interface (heat exchanger). When this one goes, I was going to replace it with a Torrid Cube after a lot of research, but I notice they don't have a six gallon anymore, however, the 10 might fit. The Quick looks good but the website is scrambled so I'll have to get information later. Good luck!