I'm planning to replace my rusted-out 6-gallon Raritan water heater in my ketch. Has anyone replaced theirs? What make and model do you recommend (or suggest avoiding)? I would like to drop in a higher-capacity tank, if possible, since I do a lot of kayaking and windsurfing in our chilly San Francisco waters and I'm looking forward to using my boat as the mother ship -- it would be great to have luxurious warmup shower afterwards.
Also, someone here is selling a Seaward S1200 unit that's never been installed. Trouble is, the heat exchanger ports are on the back side -- the F1200 has ports on the front -- (also, I'm not sure it will fit through the hatch, yet.) Anyone see any problem with mounting this with the heat exchanger fittings pointing at the engine and the water /electrical elements facing the hull, or vice versa? I'd obviously have to modify/extend some hoses and add a couple of elbows, but I can't see any obvious reason why that would cause a problem.
Thanks!
Sean
Sean,I have been thinking about replacing my water heater for many years,because it looks like hell.(rust on the outside case)It still works great,it is the original water heater on the boat the boat is a 1976 model.So when it stops working I will replace it with the same.(Raritan) Some food for though.Allen
My Raritan 6 gallon was removed from its perch in the starboard cockpit locker when the new engine and wiring was begun many months ago. Unfortunately, the fellow that took it all apart is not available to reinstall it and I'm not comfortable doing the plumbing and wiring myself without a bulletproof "recipe" of how to do it properly so that the engine can heat the water but also not "fool" the engine thermostat, etc. Can anyone show me exactly how I ought to do this? Not to create a new challenge to any of you who might help, but I'm really adverse to doing things "in the dark" and then wondering if I've created a new problem I'll later pay for in spades.
Thanks,
Mark
I think that when mine goes I will consider replacing with a propane fired instant hot water system. Smaller and no electric or engine driven heating.
Ron
Ron: I found this discussion on propane water heaters at Cruisers Forum. Propane might be a good solution at least while not underway.
I'm still hoping someone will read this and help me get squared away re-installing my Raritan, though.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f115/propane-water-heater-59198.html
I replaced my Raritan with a Super Stor from Defender about 6 years ago. It heats faster with the engine heat than the Raritan. I would guess the heat exchanger is less restrictive. It also holds the heat much better/longer. As a side note, I attached an indoor/outdoor thermometer sensor to the tank so I can monitor the temperature.
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|10172|319678&id=140413 (http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C51%7C10172%7C319678&id=140413)
I own an Eccotemp L5 on-demand water heater that I purchased for surfing/windsurfing trips -- it's really an amazing gadget for $150.
http://www.eccotemp.com/eccotemp-l5-portable-tankless-water-heater/
It generates and unlimited amount of scalding hot water, using a 12v washdown pump, and a standard propane bottle. It uses a "D" battery to fire an automatic piezoelectric igniter and to control the on-demand gas valve. I have it setup as a portable kit, with the pump mounted to the inside of the lid of a "tupperware" storage container. All the hoses and cables fit in the box. I take them out when I set up the shower, fill the storage container from a nearby available fresh water source, and flip the lid over so the pump is on top. The pump plugs into a cigarette lighter, the hose pulls water out of the container, and the heater hangs from a bar I poke into my truck's roof rack. Voila! Portable hot shower. Everyone loves this on cold, foggy surfing days. The best is using it to warm up you wetsuit BEFORE you get in the drink...and it's much warmer than peeing in your suit!
As much as I like this device for car camping and water sports, I have my doubts about using a propane heater in the boat. There are all the usual hazards associated with propane, and the heater itself needs to be hung somewhere well ventilated. A good amount of heat/exhaust comes out the top of the unit. Not sure where you could set this up neatly in a P365, although I have thought about bringing the unit along for after-windsurfing warmups in the cockpit, and simply hanging it off the stern rail, to avoid any gas leak hazard.
I expect there are on-demand units made for boats, that deal with the ventilation and propane-hazard concerns. However, I just don't think I want to risk another propane appliance on the boat as a permanent installation. (Currently, I have an alcohol stove to keep it utterly simple.)
On Journey we have both the on demand propane system and the standard Raritan system in the starboard locker. We like having "free" hot water while on the dock, or after and engine run, with the Raritan. We also like limitless hot water at any time with the On demand system. The On demand system is mounted under the ice box in the "trash" locker. There is a danger of explosion if you nudge the hot water faucet a bunch of times.
We've been cruising the Caribbean for the last 3 months and have truthfully used neither system more than a couple of times. Cold showers are good here and both water and propane are very precious commodities.