hot water systems

[rkane]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best hot water system to install on a 32 foot boat? It would be serving one sink and a shower. Also, does anyone have any comments about salt / freshwater water systems for extended cruising offshore cruising? I know it's possible to have saltwater showers but can you have ones that can convert fom one to the other and if so, does anyone have experience of them?

Thanks

 

[ccscott49]

Don't bother with hot saltwater, it will just clog the whole system. Fresh water, can be heated by the engine with a calorifier or an immersion heater, a gas water heater if you also cook with gas or even a hydronic diesel fired one. If you want to wash in salt water, jump over the side. then a quick rinse with fresh. For extended offshore cruising, (ocean cruising) forget showers until your nearer civilisation. It's not heating the water, it's carrying it. on a 32' boat. Wash your dishes in salt water by all means, washing clothes, forget it, unless you wash them in salt and then rinse in fresh, or they will never dry. One last thing, if you're cruising the med, buy a solar shower, they are brilliant! I have three for a crew of six, half a bag each even that is 10 litres per person.

 

[jimboaw]

Go with a gas instant system. One advantage is that when you shower you are always aware that you are useing precious gas so you hurry up and so use less water!

 

[vyv_cox]

There's a lot of merit in this suggestion if you really do mean "extended offshore cruising". Using a calorifier requires that the engine be driving the boat for a period of about half an hour per day. Unless you need to do this for battery charging, and have the diesel fuel supplies to do it, heating your water with gas might be a more efficient way.

Only problem is that modern requirements for avoiding CO air contamination have been quite hard on the traditional water heater. You will need to buy the latest type, with external exhaust venting, to avoid problems.

I fully agree with Colin about Solar showers - they are excellent and save getting the interior of the boat soaking wet. No pumping or any other complexities - just hang it in the cockpit and go.

 

[rkane]

any advice on makes of gas / diesel water heaters? I've had a look at the eberspachers - are there any others that people would recommend - particularly at the 'budget' (but not rubbish) end of the market!!

 

[ccscott49]

An instant gas water heater would bew your best bet, one designed for caravan/boat use, with a flue. I admit, I have a house type one, with a sealed flue, which I find OK for my size of boat. Mine has an electronic ignition, which saves having a pilot light, which consequently saves a bunch of gas and is safer. I would also fit a carbon monoxide detector, (I have) which is the only danger of gas water heaters, that and gas leaks of course. Have a look at caravan outlets.

 

[Billy]

I've looked into this a little and 'Rinnai' gas water heater seems to be a likely option, available from some chandlers about €300. It's instant hot water so less waste. If you have trouble try inland waterway boat suppliers, they are popular 'cos some canal boats have air-cooled engines and so no Hot water from engine!
Is there a diesel instant water heater available?

<hr width=100% size=1>Billy Keady