Do I really need a water heater?

There is a big difference from showering in a smaller cruiser or a large Dancer or Bridge boat. My 290 had a shower if you wanted to hunch over the toilet and drench the entire bathroom. I just strolled 500 feet up to the marina clubhouse with full showering facilities.
The water from the spigots was never "cold". Most of us use our boat in the Summer when the ambient temps are high, hence the freshwater from the tank is at least tepid.
I think the answer to the question is.....do what suits you best, for your style of boating. If you really miss the water heater after a month or so then put another one in.
 
We don't use ours for showering but we do use it for washing dishes and such. I'm sure we could do that with cold water... well mildly warm water since it does tend to heat up from simply sitting in the holding tank. So I guess if I was faced with the same issue, if I couldn't replace it myself on the cheap, I might not do it myself. Although I'd think that if I were to sell the boat the next owner may want one, so I'd have to do a CBA at that point.
 
Floating condos don't need a WH, just a quick stroll up the dock to the facilities and your set. If you use your boat like it was intended, cruising on overnight trips and anchoring out, (because that is where the enjoyment in boating is located) then definitely you will need one. I use my at the dock as well, I guess I'm too lazy to walk up the ramp. Of course, I use my boat as intended, otherwise I would just by a condo overlooking the water, this would be a whole lot cheaper!
 
I just replaced mine. We do live at the dock and do shower at the marina. The admiral is not going to walk up to bathrooms each time to wash dishes hence the need for hot water. Also the admiral will use it to just wash her hair at the dock rather than again trucking up the ramp. Plus our boat is much cleaner than the bathrooms after all the rack boaters use the facilities.
 
If I spend 12 hrs on the lake boating, anchoring, swimming, listening to some music, socializing, and then return to the dock for some frosty adult beverages, cap it off with a shower in the marina clubhouse, am I not using my boat as intended?
 
What boat? Your Zodiac? :grin:
 
We rarely use our hot water but I would replace the HWH if it rotted out. If we're at a marina we use their facilities, away or on the hook the lake is our bathtub. Showering in the 280DA is a hassle and we don't do it. We also don't wash dishes on the boat, disposable is what we do. Some areas we boat allow no gray water discharge anyway.
 
We use ours all the time. It is really nice for washing dishes, hands and whatever else.
 
I didn't replace mine when it died. If I squeeze in the head on my 240, I have to go back out to change my mind! I wouldn't even think about taking a shower in there!
 
Woody said:
We rarely use our hot water but I would replace the HWH if it rotted out. If we're at a marina we use their facilities, away or on the hook the lake is our bathtub. Showering in the 280DA is a hassle and we don't do it. We also don't wash dishes on the boat, disposable is what we do. Some areas we boat allow no gray water discharge anyway.
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We aren't very big people so I think showering in the 280 is pretty convenient. I don't have a problem with the whole bathroom getting wet as it stays real clean due to towel drying after the showers. The only problem is how hot and steamy it gets in there!
 
You have a boat without a generator... If you keep the rig that uses the engine water to heat your water, you won't need a HWH... But, I am the kind of person who gets annoyed if something does not work, even if I don't used it... Check out MasterFabs site, he replaced his HWH with a round one that might be less expensive... It looks like this one that only cost $157.00
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Not to start anything, but what's the point of a boat with beds, and a kitchen if you always stay at the dock at night? A pontoon boat will get me out on the water and back, and a hell of a lot cheaper than a Ray.
 
I like the comfort of a bed, kitchen, dinette table. etc. while out from the dock. I could maybe take a nap in the bed, cook up some food in the kitchen for lunch or dinner, and occasionally, if in the mood, stay all night on the hook.
I do not like to run the gennie all night while sleeping, nor do I like to sleep in a 85 degree cabin with a 12v fan whining away. So most of the time I head to the dock for the evening and plug into the electric (I am paying for) and run the A/C.
It's also nice in the morning not to dinghy the dog to shore for a pee. It's all about choices people.
I will wait till I'm in my 80s for the canboat.
 
floriduramax1 said:
We aren't very big people so I think showering in the 280 is pretty convenient. I don't have a problem with the whole bathroom getting wet as it stays real clean due to towel drying after the showers. The only problem is how hot and steamy it gets in there!
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We are big people and still shower in the 280.. and you are correct it kinda of gets hot but just open the door while you are drying out the head to keep it nice and clean !!
 
I would be very, very leery of sticking a non Marine rated hot water heater in my bilge. Actually, I know I wouldn't.


Hey Quint, how goes your boat search? Wish you the best of luck finding your next boat.
 
Hey Quint, how goes your boat search? Wish you the best of luck finding your next boat.[/QUOTE]

We had vibration on the starboard side at sea trial. They sent the prop to be scanned and are checking engine alignment today. Hope to sea trial Saturday. If it does not go well, I am looking at a 1992 350 Express Bridge and a 1998 330 DA as my next targets.
 
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