Do I really need a water heater?

R

RonG

New Member
Nov 14, 2011
178
Cape Cod
Boat Info
2014 210 CC
Engines
Yamaha 150 4 stroke
I have a leaking hot water heater and the dealer wants over $500 to replace. I will probably end up doing it myself later but have been thinking whether I really need one. I will be slipped at a marina and may take some trips over night here and there but if I need to shower I can always take one at the marina. What doyou guys think? How often do you really use hot water? I'm sure some of you go on extended overnights and it comes in handy then or you have a larger boat where it is more convenient but I am having a hard time thinking I will really use it that often. The Admiral may think different but am interested in what you think. Thanks

Ron
 
The water heater in my 290 developed a leak. I removed it and never missed it, for the reasons you stated.
 
We don't shower on the boat, but the wife does cook on the boat and we use the grill a lot. The Admiral would be upset if she had to do dishes with cold water.
 
I like washing my hands with hot water.....mostly heated by the 454. My wife also does dishes and likes hot water. I have not showered in the 270 yet but we boat all fresh water, Mike.
 
I must be on the hook more than you guys....I wouldn't want to be without it.
 
390x said:
I must be on the hook more than you guys....I wouldn't want to be without it.
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Yes, I use hot water a lot. I always take my showers on the boat. But if you don't use it now then you won't miss it later. But be prepared to replace it as if you ever want to trade up then the next owner may require there be one because the boat came with one...
 
People on my boat are always using the heated water when they use the transom shower. They all comment on how nice it is to rinse off with warm water...even in summer. Plus, as someone else mentioned...I like washing hands with warm water.
 
CV-23 said:
I like washing my hands with hot water.....mostly heated by the 454. My wife also does dishes and likes hot water. I have not showered in the 270 yet but we boat all fresh water, Mike.
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I can see washing hands and dishes in hot water but I honestly don't see us washing dishes either. What happened to plastic or paper?
 
Your going to be paying for a hot water heater either now or when you are selling the boat... Does anyone go swimming off the boat? Your in salt water, most people on our boat like to shower off when they come out for the day. I could not see giving up my hot water heater, we use it every day on the boat. In fact I am changing out my original hot water heater with a new stainless steel one this week in advance of any possible failure.
 
Some of you guys have the luxury of hot water at the transom and that is definitely worth it after swimming in salt water. I don't have that option on my boat. You're probably right though and I will be installing one soon. Pretty mixed responses though....
 
+3... We stay extended weekends on the boat... got to have the hot shower!
 
RonG said:
Some of you guys have the luxury of hot water at the transom and that is definitely worth it after swimming in salt water. I don't have that option on my boat. You're probably right though and I will be installing one soon. Pretty mixed responses though....
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Like others have said, you will be asked to put one in when you sell (or have that knocked off your selling price) so you are paying for it one way or the other. You might as well install it now and at least enjoy some use of it yourself rather than just buying it for the next owner. That goes for most repairs that you may want to put off.

Its easy to add hot water at the transom if you dont have it. I find it really useful when fishing so you can washyour hands easily and to spray off after a quick swim (even in fresh water).
 
The access to the heater in our boats is pretty easy - actually, very easy. If it was me, and I knew I wouldn't be using it, I would leave it out. You can always put it in later. If you put it in now, it's only going to give you one more thing to winterize. Plus, by the time you sell your boat, you may have to replace it again if it has been corroded (salt water running through the heat exchanger). In the end, what we do with our boats (I like having mine, by the way... although it really doesn't get used much) doesn't affect how you use yours. It's all about how YOU use it.
 
Larry said:
Your going to be paying for a hot water heater either now or when you are selling the boat... Does anyone go swimming off the boat? Your in salt water, most people on our boat like to shower off when they come out for the day. I could not see giving up my hot water heater, we use it every day on the boat. In fact I am changing out my original hot water heater with a new stainless steel one this week in advance of any possible failure.
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Wow Larry,
First a new fridge and now a new water heater!! You are the appliance king!! If I had your money I'd get 2!!! :smt043

To OP,
I use my water heater all of the time. We spend extended weekends at the beach and everyone showers at the end of each day. Also like the warm transom shower and hand washing as previously stated.
 
Opinions are like aholes, everybody has one. Some stink and some don't!
:grin:

RonG said:
Some of you guys have the luxury of hot water at the transom and that is definitely worth it after swimming in salt water. I don't have that option on my boat. You're probably right though and I will be installing one soon. Pretty mixed responses though....
Click to expand...
 
If it is a cost issue and you don't need it, wait and install a new one later on. I do recommend replacing it at some time to keep the boat original. with our full shower I would be shot without hot water! I like having it to since we spend many 3 & 4 day weekends on the hook.
 
RonG said:
I have a leaking hot water heater and the dealer wants over $500 to replace. I will probably end up doing it myself later but have been thinking whether I really need one. I will be slipped at a marina and may take some trips over night here and there but if I need to shower I can always take one at the marina. What doyou guys think? How often do you really use hot water? I'm sure some of you go on extended overnights and it comes in handy then or you have a larger boat where it is more convenient but I am having a hard time thinking I will really use it that often. The Admiral may think different but am interested in what you think. Thanks

Ron
Click to expand...

Ron,

Pretty much all of the major point have been made, but here's my opinion. As Dennis pointed out, a lot has to do how you use your boat. However, I think in most cases as a boating crew builds their sea legs the idea is to add comforts. So, the question is why are you thinking to take something away? You paid thousands of dollars to have your "floating summer house" with all the sleeping and living accommodations. Does it really make sense to start throwing important features out b/c of $500 expense? The way you described you're using your boat like most people. If you're continue being out on your boat more and more, taking trips and staying out the more you'll find the need for everything your boat is equipped with. You also mentioned one of the key points "...The Admiral may think different but...", you can stop right there and forget about "buts...". If you like boating and want your crew to develop the same feeling, then you'll have to provide comfort, which cost most of us tons of money.

Now back to the HWH, on your boat it's one of the easiest installations. It'll take maximum couple of hours and the new SS HWH is about $300. I did it on my 240DA and it was a piece of cake swap. The easiest HWH swap I ever encountered. Take your time, shop around, get new unit and do the install.

As others have said, you take it out, you'll loose either way. IMO, you can loose more. For example, you install one now and you'll pay $300. You use it and enjoy the hot water every day. You throw it out, you will piss of the admiral, you will wish you had it on multiple occasions. If you continue postponing and now it's time to sell, you most likely be in the rush and the seller will request full $500 for professional installation.

That pretty much sums it up.
 
My dealer wanted over $500 just for the water heater too. I looked online and found the exact replacement Attwood but got it in stainless steel for $300 shipped to my door. We don;t use it often but I wanted to keep the boat as new.
 
My wife would not go out if I removed the WH! We use it alot. Just need a bigger fresh tank now...lol
 
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