Water heater removal 1977 hunter 30

[riverbouy]

I need to replace my hot water heater but can't determine a method to remove it. I can disconnect it from the hoses and power but can't physically remove it through the upper stern hatch because the width of the hatch is 11 inches while the hot water heater is round and 14 inches in diameter.

Has anyone discovered the secrete path to remove the water heater? It seems as though the boat was built around it.

 

[duality]

its been a really long time, but i think i recall it as coming through the galley!


mike

 

[Steve Dion]

Have you tried removing the panel between the aft bunk and the lazarette?

 

[Dalliance]

Hunter moved things around a bit over the years the H30 was in production. Assuming it's in the same place as the one in my '82 H30; under the cockpit sole aft of the engine and forward of the fuel tank; then yes, they actually did build the boat around it. Someone posted a sales brochure photo of the factory assembly line a few years ago and the water heater was in place before they put deck on the hull.
To answer your question, I replaced mine a few years ago, and to get the old one out and the new one in, we had to cut out and then epoxy back in a section of the bottom of the starboard lazarette.

 

[riverbouy]

Thank you for the responses!! My water heater is located on the starboard Lazarette just behind a removable wall that partitions the galley from the lazarette. Very glad it is not stuck between the engine and fuel tank but is still located such that would have to cut the side of the lazarette out - just not sure if that could create structural problem for the cockpit. the other option is to rip out the galley which means removal of the sink, stove, "cooler", counter top, etc. in either case, it looks like a nasty job.

 

[Sailor_Jeff]

Who would design a boat like this? It sounds crazy.

 

[John T1594]

Water heater

Years ago I owned a 1980 H30. I installed my own 6 gal water heater in the starboard lazarette and it fit OK through the top opening. The lazarette was also open to the engine/battery and fuel tank space via a thin plywood panel. My boat had a removeable panel on the floor of the cockit just forward of the pedestal. If your boat has that panel, you may be able to slide your water heater sideways into the space and remove it from above. Good Luck!