How can I drain the hot water heater on H28.5

[Mark Waggoner]

For the last couple of winters, I've tried to be conservative on anti-freeze and have tried draining the hot water tank instead of pumping it full of anti-freeze. This has been a real pain. the drain valve of the hot water heater is so low that I can not fill more than a cup at a time, empty it, again and again. If I just let it drain, will all of the water make it to the bilge. I would not want water to freeze under the fuel tank, which is where the hot water tank would drain to. Has anyone found a better way. Thanks

 

[Kevin]

Tubing

I have a 28.5 and got some tubing at Home Depot that fits over the end of the drain valve. I run it thru the bulkhead wall in the head where the flush over board piping is and down to the drain for the shower. Instead of letting it go down the shower drain I place a mike jug at the end and collect the water. While I am doing other winterization jobs I collect and dump the water down the head sink one gallon at a time. The damn things drains so slow that it isn't too much of a problem to keep up with. Also I disconnext the inlet and exit from the hot water heater and join them togther to by pass the unit and flush the fresh water system for winterization, alot less antifreeze is required. This has worked ok for the pass four years.

 

[Dave]

draining hot water heater

I have a 91 28 with a similar problem.I found that I could take a regular garden hose and attach it to the water heater drain valve. I run the hose out the companionway and over the side of the boat, so the end of the hose is lower than the water heater. (I do this while the boat is in it's cradle, on land) When this is set up, I just open the water fill cap and the water syphons out the hose.

 

[Grailing Jones]

Hot Water Heater

I have a 1989 28.5. I sail in Wisconsin. I put anti-freeze in the system. I have never had a problem.