Hot Water Heaters

[Jim & Dara]

Does anybody use them?

I've been seriously considering removing the one that came on our CD25 for the extra storage.

We have a solar shower if we need it and most of the marinas we have been to have hot showers.

Because they require shore power to heat up I'm tempted to just do without and stow the the dive gear.

Has anyone else removed theirs? If so any regrets?

[localboy]

We have used it. We'll heat it up at the dock prior to leaving and we still have warm enough water to shower that night. Long term plans call for a Honda generator for more use. I won't remove it; so far we seem to have enough storage.

Pat has removed his.

[JamesTXSD]

Pat Anderson took his out. Oh, and his Wallas. Apparently all that "heat stuff" was way over-rated. We do use our water heater when we're out cruising. We also use a solar shower when we're trying to conserve water.

That IS a good size compartment for the water heater. Frankly, a 2 1/2 gallon water heater would have been adequate for most use on the boat; placement under the sink/galley area would make more sense, as well. That was one of the suggestions I made to the factory folks a couple owners ago.

If you don't ever use yours and you need the storage space, go for it.

[Captains Cat]

I have plans to take ours out, we never use it. On the few occasions that call for a shower (usually in the heat of summer), the cool water in the tank feels just fine. Mine has never worked anyway, since we don't have occasion to "use" it, I haven't investigated why. Might require quite a bit of disassembly to remove it, on the TC, it's under the helm seat.

Cahrlie

[Dreamer]

We use our water heater every morning when on the boat. Shore power or 15 minutes on Honda 2000i generator power makes for a nice shower. A quick wipe down and the solar vent keeps the stall fresh.

Lots of us went for the TC or CD25 because of the shower/head option, I don't understand not using it. Extra storage space is not an issue with the TC. Different strokes I guess!

[El and Bill]

All a matter of individual choice. We use solar shower or marina shower. No problem, even when living aboard for years.

[thataway]

I tried to replace the under the seat with a instant 110 volt unit. The tank which I purchased at Home Depot, did not work, so I put the under the seat unit back in. There was a lot of storage space there.

We tend to use marina showers, or in Florida shower on the swim step or jump in the ocean....up in the PNW-we occasionally used the shower in the C D 25--but it was more cramped than in the TC 255, and the increased humidity was a problem...

There are some good 1 to 2 gallon water heaters, and I may replace the TC 255 tank with one--if I keep the boat. If I build a new one, it will not have a shower in the head, but shower on deck--and a one to 2 gallon 110 volt heater.

[Pacificcoast101]

We use our TC for scuba diving, so the hot shower comes in handy. Even in the summer, the water temperature is in the low 50s where we dive.

[bhamsnowbird]

We are thinking about removing our hot water heater, too. I'd like to know about any mechanical issues with this process. Also, has anyone reinstalled the hot water heater at a later date (we would probably do this if we ever sell the boat)? Any problems?

[seabeagle]

Although I don't use it on the boat, I have a Coleman Hot Water on Demand system which I take camping. It's rechargeable and uses 1 pound propane tanks to heat the water. It cooks the water so fast, it almost wastes it. We fill our solar shower with it. You can put any water through it but, we only only use our home filtered water. Take it when you need it, leave it when you don't.

[Jim & Dara]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm still undecided about what we will do although I'm now considering relocating the shower box next to the wash down in the cockpit. It would be nice after finishing a wetsuit dive in 45 - 55 degree water.

A shelf above the W H might be another good compromise.

[Edward Thieme]

I removed the one that came with my 25, it wasn't suppose to have one, and I wasn't charges for it, but it does take a lot of room and I don't need 6 gal. for a shower.
I replaced it with a GE 2.5g point of use water heater from Home Depot.
I change the heating element to a 2500w 240v element, which becomes a 625w element on 120v. This way I can use a Honda 1000w generator to power it. I could not find a low wattage 120v element.

Works fine. ED on "Rambler"

[kenny chaos]

I think seabeagle is talking about something like this?
I thought it would be great in the cockpit?
Anyone else use one?
It seems to take the solar thing one step further which the woman might enjoy a whole lot more?

http://www.zodi.com/Consumer/zodihottaptravelshower.html

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Kenny,

We have a Zodi water heater that we used on one of our sailboats. It does work, but is a bit more messing with stuff. We would generally heat water up with it (in the case it comes in); recirculate that water through the heater and it heats up faster. Worked good for shower or dish washing when there wasn't enough sun or time for a solar shower. It uses a propane canister and D-cell batteries. Self contained, with a few minutes to set up and take down.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[Swee Pea]