Replacing corroded Seaward 5200 series water heater (20 g.) with Kuuma 6 g. HWH - removal and installation questions

[Monheganlover]

I have to remove my rusted out and leaking original equipment 20 gallon Seaward 5000 series water heater from my 2002 Catalina 310. I want to replace it with a more realistically sized for our needs Kuuma 11811 HWH with all the connections on the front side which will enable it to be mounted facing to port as the Seaward was. I have searched the forum and found posts by those who performed the difficult task of removing the Seaward. I've posted the steps I think I should follow below and am looking for confirmation that I mostly have it right. I am also interested if anyone has installed a Kuuma unit on their 310 and have a few questions if they have.

Seaward Removal steps - do these make sense?

1. Drain all water from boat - water tank and lines into bilge. Open HWH drain plug and leave open overnight to drain out any water....current leak is pretty slow.
2. Unbolt tang on front of HWH (mounted facing port and accessible through two rear panel doors in stern bulkhead) of unit from L Bracket.
3. Remove all hoses and AC wires. Make sure shore power is off
4. Use connector with two barbs to plug heat-exchanger hoses into one another temporarily. Have bucket and towels for any antifreeze that runs out
5. Carefully, move all cables and wires as far out of the way as possible.
6. loosen/remove steering cable from steering post to create more room for removing HWH
7. Push unit from starboard rear lazarette opening over to port on the mounting shelf until tang on rear of unit is freed from slot it is inserted into on starboard side
8. Take a Sawzall with the appropriate metal cutting blade and, carefully, cut off mounting tang on front of HWH to create room to angle unit out of stern space and to fit through starboard stern panel door.
9. Note: It looks like PO expanded the hole were stern starboard panel is...if have trouble removing unit, cut it a little wider and then, later, fashion a wooden panel to cover the access hole.

Kuuma installation - questions

1. Does anyone have any experience with installing a Kuuma HWH on a Catalina 310? If so, any mounting tips? I've checked the dimensions and it will fit with room to spare where the Seaward was mounted. On the port side, I will probably have to use screws to secure the aft mounting bracket to the shelf.
2. Does anyone know if the hoses formerly connected to the Seaward 20 will fit the Kuuma or will I need some kind of adapters?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Stu Jackson]

I would seriously reconsider using the Kuuma, it is bottom of the pack in terms of quality. isotemp (isotherm? - I always confuse these), Seaward, then Kuuma. I'd get a Seaward 6 gallon replacement, they come with front or rear connections, too.

 

[Monheganlover]

Thanks Stu. I just took your advice and ordered the Seaward 6 gallon. My old Seaward 20 gallon lasted 21 years so I guess that was pretty good. Tnks! I do dread taking the old one out faced withvAnnapolis area labor rates of $110 to $140/hour guess I can stand the frustration

 

[JRT]

Wouldn't replacing with same model and size be easier? Unfortunately remove and replace.

 

[Monheganlover]

I really think the 20 gallon one is overkill

 

[Tom J]

Just to clarify, on step 4, you mentioned heat exchanger hoses, but I think you meant hot water heater hoses. They can easily be bypassed at the engine. I had a formed hose zip tied at the engine connections, so the heater hoses could be quickly bypassed in the event of a leak at the heater.

 

[Tom J]

To avoid antifreeze in the bilge, connect a liquid transfer pump (available at auto supply stores) to one of the hot water heater hoses at the engine, and suck the antifreeze into a container.