I just purchased a 1983 Catalina 30 and the previous owner had removed the hot water tank. My question is, does the hot water tank have any effect on the engine cooling system? If so, what would be an acceptable replacement brand, model, etc. I am not really sure why the guy removed it, other than it might have been broken and he didn't want to spend the money repairing it. Any help is appreciated.
hot water heater for a cat 30
- Thread starter primerate84
- Start date
- Status
Optional
Hi Prime. The HW heater is just for domestic HW. If they get left full of water over a freeze they crack, fail leak and must be replaced. They have an integral heat exchanger to the engine. This provides heat to the water. A second method of heat in the HW heater is when you are dockside and have and elecrical hook up they can run on 110 household current they are not needed to cool the engine as the main heat exchanger does that. The 6 gallons they hold is good for clean up but not much of a shower. The hot water is real nice for hand and face washing. It will make the sailing expirience nicer for the gals too. If you put one back in install a bypass for future winterizations.
Hi Prime. The HW heater is just for domestic HW. If they get left full of water over a freeze they crack, fail leak and must be replaced. They have an integral heat exchanger to the engine. This provides heat to the water. A second method of heat in the HW heater is when you are dockside and have and elecrical hook up they can run on 110 household current they are not needed to cool the engine as the main heat exchanger does that. The 6 gallons they hold is good for clean up but not much of a shower. The hot water is real nice for hand and face washing. It will make the sailing expirience nicer for the gals too. If you put one back in install a bypass for future winterizations.
Catalina uses Seaward heaters
they have either front or rear hot water hoses (from the engine) connections. Check out your particular setup before you buy one, make sure you get the right arrangement. They also come in galvanized or stainless steel. don't bother with the extra cost of SS. They don't affect the engine cooling, they only "borrow" from the hot water side as Dan mentioned.
they have either front or rear hot water hoses (from the engine) connections. Check out your particular setup before you buy one, make sure you get the right arrangement. They also come in galvanized or stainless steel. don't bother with the extra cost of SS. They don't affect the engine cooling, they only "borrow" from the hot water side as Dan mentioned.
Just pulled my water heater out today
Just pulled my water heater out of my 86 Catalina 27 today. It was a 6 gallon, round type heater that rusted and had a small leak. It was made by American Appliance, I think there are out of businees now. The round 6 gallon by "Super Stor" Looked like the old one and the best bet for replacement {in my case}. Properly installed it has no effect on engine running temperature. I haven't yet decided if I will replace mine either. My replacement tank would cost $500 bucks and to tell you the truth, here in Florida I spend more time keeping water cool than hot. Good luck with yours, Jack
Just pulled my water heater out of my 86 Catalina 27 today. It was a 6 gallon, round type heater that rusted and had a small leak. It was made by American Appliance, I think there are out of businees now. The round 6 gallon by "Super Stor" Looked like the old one and the best bet for replacement {in my case}. Properly installed it has no effect on engine running temperature. I haven't yet decided if I will replace mine either. My replacement tank would cost $500 bucks and to tell you the truth, here in Florida I spend more time keeping water cool than hot. Good luck with yours, Jack
Your engine should be FWC
On my Cat 30, the engine is a little Universal 11hp raw water cooled engine. That means no heat exchanger, and that means no hot water unless plugged into shore power. Make sure your engine has the heat exchanger so you can get what you want out of the heater.
On my Cat 30, the engine is a little Universal 11hp raw water cooled engine. That means no heat exchanger, and that means no hot water unless plugged into shore power. Make sure your engine has the heat exchanger so you can get what you want out of the heater.
Thanks for the information...
I think I'll wait on replacing now that I've read your posts. Since I do a lot of daysailing with an occasional week-end trip around the islands in Lake Erie, I haven't missed it yet. Thanks for your help.
I think I'll wait on replacing now that I've read your posts. Since I do a lot of daysailing with an occasional week-end trip around the islands in Lake Erie, I haven't missed it yet. Thanks for your help.
- Status