I have an '87 Catalina 34'. I want to replace the original water heater (electric/heat exchanger). It is round and 14" x16". Apparantly it is no longer being made. A Seaward "square" 13"x13"x19" was suggested. Is there room? Has anyone replaced the old round one?? Input appreciated.
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Water heater advise
I replaced the round water heater on my C27. The square Seaward heaters are cheaper, but would not fit my very small space. It came down to the round ones I could locate - the Super Stor and Raritan. The Raritan has the engine coolant connectors on one side and the fresh water connectors on the other. This would have made installation very difficult. The Super Stor has the connectors closer together which made the installation pretty easy. Bottom line is make sure the water and electric connections match up to what you already have. I have been very pleased with the Super Stor. It holds hot water easily for over 12 hours. Practical Sailor rated it #1.
I replaced the round water heater on my C27. The square Seaward heaters are cheaper, but would not fit my very small space. It came down to the round ones I could locate - the Super Stor and Raritan. The Raritan has the engine coolant connectors on one side and the fresh water connectors on the other. This would have made installation very difficult. The Super Stor has the connectors closer together which made the installation pretty easy. Bottom line is make sure the water and electric connections match up to what you already have. I have been very pleased with the Super Stor. It holds hot water easily for over 12 hours. Practical Sailor rated it #1.
Water Heater....
My neighbor has a c34 and just replaced his water heater. He had the rectangular unit and replaced it with another rectangular unit. I have a c30 and replaced the old round unit with the rectangulr unit also. The biggest problem when replacing the heaters is to be sure you can get them thru the hatch or doorway. Mine is in the aft locker. I had to really struggle to get the old round one out and again pry the locker opening out an inch or so to get the new one back in. It is very tight but it will go in. Also, if you go from round to rectangular shape, you may have to build a new support stand for the heater as I had to. Good luck, Paul
My neighbor has a c34 and just replaced his water heater. He had the rectangular unit and replaced it with another rectangular unit. I have a c30 and replaced the old round unit with the rectangulr unit also. The biggest problem when replacing the heaters is to be sure you can get them thru the hatch or doorway. Mine is in the aft locker. I had to really struggle to get the old round one out and again pry the locker opening out an inch or so to get the new one back in. It is very tight but it will go in. Also, if you go from round to rectangular shape, you may have to build a new support stand for the heater as I had to. Good luck, Paul
Bob You'll need to remove the door & frame to do this. Check out the C34 website (www.c34.org) for much more detailed and complete information. Use the search engine on the C34 website to find more information. It can be done reasonably easily. The square heater is made by Seaward. Do NOT spend the $$$$ to buy the stainless model, galvanized is fine. Other heaters will require more replacement effort. With Seaward, a direct replaceent, you should have little difficulty. Your heater is a 6 gallon model. Be sure to check your existing plumbing connections to determine the best match for the plumbing connections that you have because Seaward makes two models with different hose conections.
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