Fixing a Hot Water Tank Leak

[Karen Ellis]

After much scrabbling about behind the rear bulkhead and under our aft birth, we finally discovered the source of the leak in our freshwater system. There's a pinhole in our hot water tank.Anybody aware of a product and/or method out there we could use to fix it? It's an aluminum tank.Thanks!

 

[Ron H]

JB Weld

Try JB Weld. It's a two part epoxy that contains fine particles of steel. I've used it to repair fuel tanks & even an engine block. Worth a try.

 

[Nick C]

If you decide to buy a new one

The water heater on my C28 leaked badly when I flushed out the water tanks this spring. Since it is 7 years old, I decided to replace it entirely rather than try to repair it. I shopped around; sailnet (on the internet) had the best price I could find at about $172 for the galvanized case, rear heat exchanger plumbed model (same as Catalina installed). Only downside is you wait 3-4 weeks for it to be shipped from the manufacturer (BoatUS and West Marine ship this way also, but maybe a bit quicker). I can't wait until mine arives and I get to turn myself into a pretzel swapping it out. Good luck!

 

[Andy]

Tips and Problems

KarenI have a 90 C28 and replaced the heater last summer because of a leak. Check the archives of this site for many comments regarding how to get the thing out and back in again. let me know if you can't find anything and I'll retell the whole story.AndyTrue Love #34

 

[RDS]

leak

My check valve to the HWH was leaking, before I found that I thought the HWH was leaking. Check all connections.