Access to water heater ( C 320)

Feb 19, 2008
441
Catalina 320 Tawas Bay Yacht Club
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!
 
Apr 25, 2024
656
Fuji 32 Bellingham
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.
 
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Jan 22, 2008
1,670
Hunter 34 Alameda CA
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
 
Feb 19, 2008
441
Catalina 320 Tawas Bay Yacht Club
@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.
 
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