I need to replace the 6 gallon hot water heater in my 1983 H31. OEM was a 6 gallon round Raritan. The Raritan units are a bit pricey! What about replacing with the "Force 10" units sold by Marine West. They have 3 - 6 gallon units. Two are 120V 12.5 Amps and one is 240V 6.25 Amps. I assume I would want to pick the 120V 12.5A Stainless Steel Casing and who or what application would utilize the 240V 6.25 Amp unit? Do these force 10 units fit from the top or do you have to go in from below the sink? Anybody on this forum ever replace using a Force 10 unit? Thanks, Greg W.
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Later models had Seward 6 gal
Greg: The later model H'31 were equipped with 6 gal. Seward heaters. They make a couple of different models with the connection in different location for your mounting convienence. http://marineengineparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page200.html
Greg: The later model H'31 were equipped with 6 gal. Seward heaters. They make a couple of different models with the connection in different location for your mounting convienence. http://marineengineparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page200.html
warranty
Ck out the warranty. Some require you have a galvantic isolator. I put the Raritan in mine. Dennis
Ck out the warranty. Some require you have a galvantic isolator. I put the Raritan in mine. Dennis
Replaced a Seward with a Force 10 on my 34
Mainly because when the Seward (6 Gallons) failed after 3 years I was able to pick up the Force 10 on sale for $100 less than the Seward at the end of the season last year. Same shape and almost the same size as the Seward so no space problem for me. Had to reroute the plumbing for cold and hot water since everything was on the front of the unit. If you are going to do that, I would suggest you install a manifold to bypass cold water entry and hot water exit for emergency or for easy winterizing. Much to my surprise, the Force 10 came not only with the pressure valve, but also with a high temperature safety valve. Unit has worked flawlessly throughout the summer getting a lot of usage since I spent 85 consecutive days on the boat, cruising Eastern Canada. Since 110V is mostly used in North America, I would presume 240V units are probably made for other parts of the world. Simple for the manufacturer as everything else is the same. Good luck.
Mainly because when the Seward (6 Gallons) failed after 3 years I was able to pick up the Force 10 on sale for $100 less than the Seward at the end of the season last year. Same shape and almost the same size as the Seward so no space problem for me. Had to reroute the plumbing for cold and hot water since everything was on the front of the unit. If you are going to do that, I would suggest you install a manifold to bypass cold water entry and hot water exit for emergency or for easy winterizing. Much to my surprise, the Force 10 came not only with the pressure valve, but also with a high temperature safety valve. Unit has worked flawlessly throughout the summer getting a lot of usage since I spent 85 consecutive days on the boat, cruising Eastern Canada. Since 110V is mostly used in North America, I would presume 240V units are probably made for other parts of the world. Simple for the manufacturer as everything else is the same. Good luck.
Relaced mine this summer...
and you must remove the bulkhead panel in back of the storage area under the galley sink. A little re-engineering is necessary since the connections on the newer tank models have been reconfigured.
and you must remove the bulkhead panel in back of the storage area under the galley sink. A little re-engineering is necessary since the connections on the newer tank models have been reconfigured.
just replaced this weekend
I just went through the process, I replaced the original Seaward with a Force 10 on my 35.5. The force 10 was about 3/8" higher and just fit under the seat. The hose connection was also about 2" higher for 1 connection and I managed to stretch the the hose to make it fit. I was convinced the Force 10 unit was a better product and was fortunate the fittings worked as it saved a huge amount of work. So the advice is find a suitable heater with the hose fittings in the exact location to avoid having to replumb. Note both Force 10 and Seaward make heaters with a front or rear exit on the heat exchanger hoses - if you go that way be sure you get the correct one. I have found Defender Marine offers great prices and service - I paid $300 plus shipping. I also took the opportunity to flush the engine before I drained the coolant. Good luck, Don
I just went through the process, I replaced the original Seaward with a Force 10 on my 35.5. The force 10 was about 3/8" higher and just fit under the seat. The hose connection was also about 2" higher for 1 connection and I managed to stretch the the hose to make it fit. I was convinced the Force 10 unit was a better product and was fortunate the fittings worked as it saved a huge amount of work. So the advice is find a suitable heater with the hose fittings in the exact location to avoid having to replumb. Note both Force 10 and Seaward make heaters with a front or rear exit on the heat exchanger hoses - if you go that way be sure you get the correct one. I have found Defender Marine offers great prices and service - I paid $300 plus shipping. I also took the opportunity to flush the engine before I drained the coolant. Good luck, Don
Same boat...
Hi Greg, I have a 1984 Hunter 31 that also came with the round water heator. I haven't found a direct replacement yet. I found out the hard way that the plumbing is "Quest" tubing that is being phased out and I can't find replacement tube and fittings for it, so I have been looking for an exact replacement so that I don't have to replace all the plumbing also. I am possibly thinking about an instant hot water maker to save the weight, space and cost of a hot water heator. I won't have the option of heating water with the deisel/heat exchanger, but that doesn't really matter to me now. For now, I have taken the old original round hot water heater and 18 gal diesel tank out through the back of the sink cabinet. I had to also remove the sink to have enough clearance. I have capped off the hot water side with a galvanized cap and thread tape. Works fine. I'm still looking for an exact replacement for the round water heator also, but I've installed my batteries where the hot water heator was and that seems to work really nice. With that heavy 18 gal diesel tank out of the stern,the batteries mounted farther forward and the hot water tank gone, the stern is up and I can actually hear the water running out of the exhaust. Has anyone found an exact replacement for the round water heator? Or, does anyone have experience with the instant hot water heators?
Hi Greg, I have a 1984 Hunter 31 that also came with the round water heator. I haven't found a direct replacement yet. I found out the hard way that the plumbing is "Quest" tubing that is being phased out and I can't find replacement tube and fittings for it, so I have been looking for an exact replacement so that I don't have to replace all the plumbing also. I am possibly thinking about an instant hot water maker to save the weight, space and cost of a hot water heator. I won't have the option of heating water with the deisel/heat exchanger, but that doesn't really matter to me now. For now, I have taken the old original round hot water heater and 18 gal diesel tank out through the back of the sink cabinet. I had to also remove the sink to have enough clearance. I have capped off the hot water side with a galvanized cap and thread tape. Works fine. I'm still looking for an exact replacement for the round water heator also, but I've installed my batteries where the hot water heator was and that seems to work really nice. With that heavy 18 gal diesel tank out of the stern,the batteries mounted farther forward and the hot water tank gone, the stern is up and I can actually hear the water running out of the exhaust. Has anyone found an exact replacement for the round water heator? Or, does anyone have experience with the instant hot water heators?
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