My Catalina 30, 1983 vintage, has what appears to be the original 6 gallon HW. heater. It's an Atwood which I believe is a Seaward. I have felt the hoses from the engine going to and from the heater-hot. I have vented the water side through the pet cock and the relief valve. The heater does not leak. Engine temp sits at 180F. I run the engine for 30 minutes plus. The bypass valve is closed, still no hot water. I am ready to replace the heater. Which brand is the best out there?
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Seaward & Atwood are different brands
John: I believe that Atwood and Seaward are different mfg. You will find that Atwood is a large mfg for the RV industry. I think you will find that the Seaward is used as an OEM solution in many boats. Practical Sailor had a review of water heaters several years ago. The main thing that you should look at is what is going to fit in your given space. Then how much work there is to change out the plumbing if you change heaters.
John: I believe that Atwood and Seaward are different mfg. You will find that Atwood is a large mfg for the RV industry. I think you will find that the Seaward is used as an OEM solution in many boats. Practical Sailor had a review of water heaters several years ago. The main thing that you should look at is what is going to fit in your given space. Then how much work there is to change out the plumbing if you change heaters.
Force ten
I replaced my Atwood 6 gallon water heater this spring. The previous owners didn't drain it the winter of '02 and the tank split open like a ripe mellon. I replaced it with a Force 10 from Sailnet and I did not have to alter any hoses or fittings. It also fit in the same space. Just make sure that you order one with the heat exchanger on the same side as your old one. Don't rely on the pictures in the cataloge because they are all of the same water heater regardless of which side the heat exchanger is on.
I replaced my Atwood 6 gallon water heater this spring. The previous owners didn't drain it the winter of '02 and the tank split open like a ripe mellon. I replaced it with a Force 10 from Sailnet and I did not have to alter any hoses or fittings. It also fit in the same space. Just make sure that you order one with the heat exchanger on the same side as your old one. Don't rely on the pictures in the cataloge because they are all of the same water heater regardless of which side the heat exchanger is on.
If it an't broke
If the heater does not leak, you probably don't need to replace it. A hot water heater is a very simple device. The engine heat exchanger is a simple tube with in a tube. The electrical is an element with 2 bi-metal switches. The engine heat exchanger on this water heater is a double wall heat exchanger and was not very efficient. It takes a long time to heat up the water. How long did you run the engine? If you are not heating by the engine, here is a list of possible problems and solutions; 1. No circulation - Blocked hoses, old heater hose breaks down over time and can cause restrictions that will stop the circulation of water. 2. The heat exchanger in the hot water heater can build up slag and restrict flow. Flush the engine or remove the hoses and clean the heat exchanger with a 10% solution of muriatic acid. 3. There is an air lock in the hot water heater heat exchanger. The hot water heater being installed above the fill for the engine usually causes this. Solution is to lower the hot water heater or install a fill tank inline and above the hot water heater. If the hot water heater does not heat on electric check the following; Element, check to see if the element is burned out. This can be done with an ohmmeter. Replace if burned out. If the element is good, check the two bi-metal switches. The parts for these heaters should be available from your local marine store or hardware store. Take the parts with you to find a suitable replacement. Do not go up in watts in the element, it is ok to go down. It will just take longer to heat up the water. The switches are 2-different temperatures. One is set at 120 degrees for normal operation and the other is set at 200 degrees for high limit. Good luck.
If the heater does not leak, you probably don't need to replace it. A hot water heater is a very simple device. The engine heat exchanger is a simple tube with in a tube. The electrical is an element with 2 bi-metal switches. The engine heat exchanger on this water heater is a double wall heat exchanger and was not very efficient. It takes a long time to heat up the water. How long did you run the engine? If you are not heating by the engine, here is a list of possible problems and solutions; 1. No circulation - Blocked hoses, old heater hose breaks down over time and can cause restrictions that will stop the circulation of water. 2. The heat exchanger in the hot water heater can build up slag and restrict flow. Flush the engine or remove the hoses and clean the heat exchanger with a 10% solution of muriatic acid. 3. There is an air lock in the hot water heater heat exchanger. The hot water heater being installed above the fill for the engine usually causes this. Solution is to lower the hot water heater or install a fill tank inline and above the hot water heater. If the hot water heater does not heat on electric check the following; Element, check to see if the element is burned out. This can be done with an ohmmeter. Replace if burned out. If the element is good, check the two bi-metal switches. The parts for these heaters should be available from your local marine store or hardware store. Take the parts with you to find a suitable replacement. Do not go up in watts in the element, it is ok to go down. It will just take longer to heat up the water. The switches are 2-different temperatures. One is set at 120 degrees for normal operation and the other is set at 200 degrees for high limit. Good luck.
Hey John, you know, if you
moved to the Caribbean, you wouldn't need it. There you go,,,why spend all that money on a new water heater, when you can have a sunset salt water bath every night?
moved to the Caribbean, you wouldn't need it. There you go,,,why spend all that money on a new water heater, when you can have a sunset salt water bath every night?
Thanks to all. Based on all the great advice I am going to remove the Atwood hot water heater from the boat and temporarily bypass the two inputs and outputs. Then bring the heater home to see if it is worth fixing. If I see it's shot I will problaly order whatever fits which may be a Force 10. I also called Atwood and while they still make my model both engine water and domestic water are now on the same end of the heater which will mean I would probably have to modify the hoses. Thanks again.
size the replacement
John what ever replacement you pick make sure it will fit through the locker hatch !!.
John what ever replacement you pick make sure it will fit through the locker hatch !!.
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