Potential Issues With Bypassing Hot Water Heater

M

maxse

Member
Apr 16, 2017
108
New York, NY
Boat Info
260 Sundancer 2007
Engines
Single Mercury Stern Drive 300HP Bravo III
Has anyone done this that has no use for the hot water heater? Mine is bad and I have no use for hot water aside from someone accidentally turning on hot vs cold. I would like to connect the water tank inlet/outlet together to essentially turn all the hot water outlets to cold outlets.

Is there any reason not to do this? Maybe potential winterizing issues?
 
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Why not fix your hot water heater? You will pay for the cost of this repair when you sell the boat and likely sell it for less than it would otherwise bring in a competitive market. Buyers tend to look at boats that have not received obviously needed repair work as boats that have been neglected in other less visible ways. So you should fix it and if you want a bypass, do that as well. Two reasons for this. One, water heaters do offer utility if you want to be able to do a good job of washing your hands, etc. And two, your boat will sell for a better price if you take care of it properly.
 
sbw1 said:
View attachment 73718 Why not fix your hot water heater? You will pay for the cost of this repair when you sell the boat and likely sell it for less than it would otherwise bring in a competitive market. Buyers tend to look at boats that have not received obviously needed repair work as boats that have been neglected in other less visible ways. So you should fix it and if you want a bypass, do that as well. Two reasons for this. One, water heaters do offer utility if you want to be able to do a good job of washing your hands, etc. And two, your boat will sell for a better price if you take care of it properly.
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Agreed but if I am not using it it's just another thing to worry about. The smell coming from my old one was horrendous with black particles coming from the lines. I will most likely replace at some point most likely before next season but for now need something that will be functional and to avoid the smell of the hot water.
 
maxse said:
Agreed but if I am not using it it's just another thing to worry about. The smell coming from my old one was horrendous with black particles coming from the lines. I will most likely replace at some point most likely before next season but for now need something that will be functional and to avoid the smell of the hot water.
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You should give your system a bleach treatment including the HWH, flush things out good even if you're not going to use it.
 
I set up a bypass for winterization purposes. No reason why it can’t be permanent. I did it so I didn’t have to fill the HW tank with antifreeze.

You might want to just open the drain valve after you make the bypass. The smell and black particles could be from a bad heating element. They can made a terrible sulfur smell when they go. It might be a replaceable part.
 
Creekwood said:
$350 at West Marine. Less than a tank of fuel.
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Agreed but it’s much easier to replace on land where I can drive the new tank right up to the boat. I will go with the bypass for now then replace in the spring.
 
If it's not leaking and it heats water I would just do a good cleaning and keep it in service.

Might even clean it like some do their AC units. 5 gal bucket, sump pump and 2 section of hoses one connected to the inlet and one to the outlet. Route everything to the bucket with a bleach solution and turn on the sump pump to start circulation. Leave it go for a number of minutes...... and flush with clean water when finished.
 
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