need a water heater

[richard smithe]

I recently purchased a 1978 hunter 30. The previous owners used it primarily as a day sailer. It has no water heater. My engine is a 12 h.p. yanmar with seawater cooling. Is it possible to install a hot water heater and utilize my engine for heating the water away from port. thanks for any suggestions

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Most water heaters availalble with heat exchanger

option. There's also a range of price/quality in water heaters. My choice would be a Raritan--for two reasons...I've had Raritans on two boats that were still in fine shape when I sold the boat...one was 11 years old, the last one was 20 years old. They have insulated glass inner tanks, which holds heat better than metal (which is a heat conductor)...they're exceptionally well insulated too, so if you're rarely away from the dock longer than overnight you may not need a heat exchanger...mine stayed hot for at least 24 hours. And unlike most water heaters, the newer Raritan water heaters have corrosion-proof polymer outer "shells." So while Raritan water heaters are a bit more expensive than some, they outlast anything else by decades. Available in 6, 12, and 20 gallon sizes...all with heat exchanger option.

 

[David Foster]

Solar System

My wife and I used the plastic bag solar heated shower on our June cruise. We liked it enough that I will be rigging a good solution to suspend it above the cockpit.There is enough well heated water for both of us to shower when at anchor.At the same time, most of the marinas and yacht clubs on Lake Erie have excellent facilities, so shore showers are also available when we are not anchored or moored.DavidLady Lillie

 

[Ian McGain]

Just did this on 79 Hunter 30

I just finished this task on the my 79 Hunter 30. I had to rip-out existing water heater which was rusted and leaking. I purchased square 6 gal size but soon found out you can not attach to the YSM12 which has no fitting for this function. I bolted new unit in the lazerette but first had to take the insulation jacket off to move it from the quater berth over the engine to place on the floor of the starboard lazerette since out of the jacket was 12" and the opening was 11". after setting on floor, replaced jacket with insualtion and bolted down. This took several weeked to fingure out. I tried to locate in the stern behind quarter berth but it would not fit. I can only heat at dockside but the hot water lasts the weekend.Send me an e at imcgain@griffinmail.com if you need to hear the long version.Good luck