Water heater replacement on Hunter 31

[Brett B]

I am looking at replacing my water heater. Others have done this and had to disassemble the cabinet where the sink is located because the heater will not fit out through the locker hatch in the cockpit.There have been many times that I have had to slip down through that hatch to do maintenance on the items in that space (fuel tank, Primary fuel filter, Ice box battery, battery charger, and water pump.As I thought about this I considered that although I fit through that opening currently there may come a time when I am either too large or not physically capable of slithering down that opening.So I was thinking of cutting an access hatch between the quarter berth and the starboard locker where all the equipment is located. It would require moving the battery charger and re-routing the fuel lines. I really think that this would give me good access to the space and as an extra benefit it would allow me to replace the water heater without disassembling the cabinet.So, what do you all think?

 

[Steve Dion]

Fits through the open under the sink.

I would not cut that area out. If we get too large, maybe it is time to hire the skinny guys to do the work! There is an access panel between the sink and the waterheater. Just remove the panel, disassemble the sink area and remove the heater.

 

[Brett B]

I am the skinny guy, currently

Steve, does any of the cabinet facing have to be removed, or is it just the back panel, sink, drain hose, and shelve?If that is all then it is not too bad. I just did not want to have to remove the cabinet facing.I could probably determine this my self, but I have been really busy building a deck so I have not had much time to get to the boat.Thanks, for your response.

 

[Bob]

new element and thermostat

Does your heater need replacing or does it need a new element?I put a new element and thermostat in my stainless water heater.It was an Atwood heaterAtwood Mobil ProductsRockford Ill.Model EHM6-SMPhone # 815-877-5700

 

[Steve Dion]

Just the panel.

Brett:I think you will find it is just the panel. I would assume that the fuel tank would pass thru there too.I have a fellow replace mine and he did not charge very much. That cabinet would be almost impossible to remove without major surgery.

 

[Chris W.]

Try the Panel

Brett, mine has hinges on the panel in question, although I have not folded it down since I have owned the boat I can see where it would be nice. I would agree with others that to take apart the cabinets to get the water heater out would be more work than I would care to dive into. Personally I just disconnected the hot water heater when it finally gave up the ghost. By the way, your boat looks good from the highway; we just got ours in and stepped the mast down there in Lake City last Saturday. If your ever up on the north end of the lake we are between Greens and Fredrick’s point

 

[Brett B]

Chris, nice to hear from another on the lake

We suffered from, the "Hunters are not good boats" syndrome before we bought this boat. We were looking at Catalina's and even an old Tarten. Hooper suggested we take a look at this boat and what we found is that it really serves our needs well. We are not crossing any oceans and in reality we are not even out of the marina that often. It really serves as a floating cabin that day sails.Sure there are other boats that are built "better" but what I have noticed is those other owners seem to have the same repair issues I have had. The boat make an excellent platform for our family of four (plus a couple of friends for the kids) to sail swim and hang out.We really love Lake City and the marina is well run. We have never had a problem with the staff or services in the 20 or so years we have been there. If I could find a job in the area I would move there in a heart-beat.Good sailing, we'll try to take some action pictures of you and your boat if we should pass each other on the lake.