calorifier, shower and holding tank

[mcav42]

I am considering fitting a calorifier and shower to my hunter 265. I am also thinking about fitting a holding tank for the heads. The boat is fitted with a Yanmar IGM10. Could anyone give me advice on any of these projects. Many thanks

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[ponapay]

My guess is that, from experience on my own boat, that a 27 foot boat won't have enough room for what you want.

A calorofier to be any value needs to hold 10 gallons, a holding tank should hold a minumum of about 25 gallons and a shower needs full headroom and good drainage.

In my Nic 38 there was barely space for the holding tank and it is rarely used (spend most time at sea, but was a required item for our cruising area). Our calorifier (pressurised system) was fitted under the chart table and the boat was fitted from new with a shower. It means not only the tanks but also lots of pipes - our heads looks like a nuclear power station with all its valves, diverters and pipes.

Sorry to be a damp squib. I don't know the Huinter 265 but have sailed a lot on a Channel 323 which would have only slightly less problem fitting all that (the one I was on had two of them from new - no holding tank).

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[HeadMistress]

There's a way...but you're not gonna be able to have all of the comforts of a 35' boat on a 26' boat...you'll have to accept some limitations.

A 6 gal calorifier with heat exchanger should be adequate for your needs--IF you learn how to conserve both your hot and cold water...it was for mine for years on a 35' boat (although I have to admit that 12 gallons was a lot nicer). Just be sure you buy a GOOD one that's very well insulated so that it will hold the water hot for at least a day.

The shower can be solved with a hand-held that connects to the head sink faucet...it can be mounted on the bulkhead above of the toilet, but with limited fresh water AND hot water, I advise using that option only for storing it...that you learn to shower by using only enough water to get wet...turn it off while you lather...back on to rinse off. Leaving it on as you would at home will run you out of both hot and cold water very quickly.

The holding tank can go under a settee or your v-berth, depending on where the head is located in your boat--forward in the cabin or aft.

I suggest you drop into the Hunter Owners Website at http://www.sailboatowners.com There are other H 265 owners there who will know where everything goes and how it has to be plumbed.


<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[heerenleed]

install a thermostatic tap

Used to shower exactly as you describe in my Nic 35 which had a 22 litres calorifier ( I think that's approx. 5 gallons). In order to save water do install a thermostatic tap. YOu loose so much water while adjusting the temperature. We did this on our actual boat and it's a great success.

<hr width=100% size=1>Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.heerenleed.tk>http://www.heerenleed.tk</A>

 

[snowleopard]

if your 1GM is raw water cooled you'll need to do some clever things to get the calorifier hot enough. i have a diagram of how to plumb it in, PM me your email address if you'd like a copy.

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[SlowlyButSurely]

Re: install a thermostatic tap

Same here. We have a 6 gallon calorifier. The hand-held shower head has a button on the handle to shut off the water so you don't have to mess about readjusting the taps when you want to switch it on and off. We get enough hot water for two people to shower, then it needs to heat up again for about 30 minutes. Works well. Not sure what a thermostatic tap is, but we haven't got one. Perhaps we should?

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[theia]

fitted calorifier etc to hunter channel 31. got everything from asap supplies. calorifier small enough to fit in hanging locker, converted yanmar 2gm 20 to fresh water cooling using a 'martec' system. calorifier also has an immersion heater which will heat full tank - 5-6 galls, in about 20 mins. like others, shower head only operates when depressing lever.
i don't know what the layout is of your boat but i got the calorifier in to the hanging locker by removing the diesel tank which gives more space than trying to put it through locker door.

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[LeonF]

I have one on my 26 ft Victoria 800... Came with the boat and is a rectangular model... can't remember the make....which sits in the starboard locker. It is worth it to have hot water on tap for washing up etc and the shower is exactly as everyone else describes. If you are used to showering every day at home the bliss of having a quick hose down and clean clothes in an achorage is not to be sniffed at. Go for it.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[Gunfleet]

I'm still puzzling about doing this. Can I ask how far your hanging locker is from the engine? In other words, how far do you think it is practicable to place the calorifier from the engine?

 

[bluestone]

I have a colorifier which is about 2m from the engine it would seem to be fine if it was further. The water pipework to the varous taps is quite long and the water can be very hot. That mus waste a fair bit. Some people have fitted a thermoscopic mixer at the outlet to the calorifier. These are used in commercial buildings to limit water temperature at taps for kids or the elderly. The advantage is that instead of emptying lots of very hot water from the calorifier into the pipework you mix it to a reasonable temperature with cold and so use less heat overall. I think the benefit is if you use lots of small amounts. If you use a lot for showering it should in theory be the same as mixing at the taps