Hot Water

[poter]

I am sure that there are some posts on this but the search ain't workin??

So what is the best way to heat water for SWMBO's morning shower?

poter

 

[boatmike]

Cheapest is a calorifier heated from your engine but this relies on running it of course. Best solution is an Eberspacher water heater also coupled to the calorifier but these are on the expensive side I am afraid. If you spend the money you could add matrix heaters to the system and have a nice warm boat and as much domestic hot water as you want......

 

[Robin]

As already mentioned a calorifier is the usual first option, best run off a freshwater cooled engine but it will work on a saltwater cooled one, just not so hot and obviously this only works if you have run the engine! Second choice is to install an immersion heater in the calorifier for when you have shorepower available, best are the lower powered elements, say 1200w or they flip the marina trips. We find with 2 of us that once heated our calorifier tank will provide us with showers for 2 days if we don't go made on day 1 without running the engine or plugging in again. Away from your berth and without running the engine is less easy. There are instant gas water heaters available (our friends that had a Dufour 35 had one fitted BTW) and these are good but need to be well ventilated and I believe are frowned on these days but are still available to buy. Another option is a solar shower, cheap and they do work if it is sunny. We made a solar shower from a pressure garden spray with a sheet of black polythene taped around the body, with this there is no need to hang it in the rigging and we do use it in the shower - just pump it up and feed the hose through the shower hatch!

 

[Shanta]

As Robin mentioned the Eberspacher, we have a D4W which heats all our water (we have radiators)we don't run a shower off it think you might need a separate pump for that.But if your thinking of getting one I can give PM you a contact for recons & good price's.
Solar showers are great....and don't need no plumbing. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
If it's for in the marina you could electrify your calorifier.