Water Heater Crapped Out! Need quick fix.

[Boatingfool]

Filled the water tank and the very next morning it was empty (normally a tank full lasts four days with four people aboard). Took a look in the bilge and it looks like the water heater is leaking from the bottom/middle.

So I need a water heater which you'd think would be no big deal to replace.

We'll Sea Ray decided to mount three a/c units infront of and on top of the water heater! Worse, the water heater is wedged between the port diesel and the side of the boat such that you'd have to pull everything out alongside the diesel, around the front of the diesel, and then back between the diesels to get out of the boat.

Needless to say, its a major undertaking, yet I have plans the next several weekends straight.

So, in the mean time, I figure I can disconnect the water lines going to the heater. I found in the West Marine catalog a temporary unit that "instantly" warms water: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...RL=true&storeNum=11&subdeptNum=27&classNum=28

Has anyone tried one of these Elecric Instantaneous Water Heaters? Would it heat well enough to take a shower?

Thanks,

 

[jrirvine1]

That product is referred to as a “point of use” hot water source, typically adequate for one location and to supply hot water around 110 degrees for washing, shaving or making a hot drink. It is not designed for taking a shower and would not be able to provide hot water to your entire boat.

If you are considering a quick fix, for one shower, you might try something like this that you could use permanently, even after you install the new tank.
http://www.insinkerator.com/product/product.php?id=41&template=hwd#

 

[Asureyez]

I'm liking the idea in general. Small light weight and no extra water being tanked as to weight.

The CONS: 29 AMPS, thats 3,500 watt draw. That can be half you ships power under generator load.

Bet you experience a huge power sag every time this puppy kicks on!

Can the heating element in your WH be replaced and just call it a fix instead of a MOD.

There a large MFG of these type units her ein Miami "Titan" and they have a lot of sizes. Maybe there is an alternative. I know time is an issue.

 

[tobnpr]

Unfortunately, I think you're mostly SOL.
An "instant hot" isn't going to provide multiple source points for hot water. Even if you only wanted to hook it up to a single shower, you've got the much larger issue of getting power to it.

Only suggestion I have is to see if there might be an alternate location in the ER where you could temporarily (or permanently?) mount a new HW heater. It would then be a simple matter to extend the two water lines and the power to the new location.

Replacing the element will not stop the tank from leaking...