Installing a water heater

[Tim Haibach]

I have seen several Catalina 27's with 6 gal square or round water heaters installed. My question is how this is done. I don't see how even by removing the alternator that these water heaters can squeeze past without removing the entire engine, or cutting through a bulkhead. Please share your experience with installations and things to be aware of/consider prior to having this done. Thanks.

 

[Don]

Water heater

My 86 model has a factory installed water heater. The bulkhead under the sink was cut out. The panel with the engine access door extends all the way over to where the galley makes the "L" turn. It is still a tight fit. If you look at some interior photos of later model C27's on Yachtworld, you will see how the factory did it.

 

[Jeff]

Electric only

a simpler installation would be to put an electric only (no engine connection)one in the cockpit locker (the water heater is pretty small). This works for overnighters because you can heat the water prior to departure from shorepower and it stays hot through the next day. If you have a generator then you're golden, it only takes about 20 minutes to get 6 gals of water from stone cold to steamy. Uses about 1.5kw.