Paloma or calorifier

[Phill]

Hi all.
Have now convinced my wife and kids that the time is right to get back to boating. (Yippeee)
We will be keeping it on the upper Thames and have decided on a Fairline Mirage.
Some of these have pressurised hot and cold water via a calorifier and others have it via a palomo. Our last boat (Princess 32) had a gas water heater which i assume is the same sort of thing as a paloma, but I have never used a calorifier.
Does anyone have any views on which system would suit us (two adults, three kids) or any experience of hot water in these boats.
Thanks.
Phill.

 

[LeytonC]

Now this is a personal preference : calorifier,calorifier,calorifier,calorifier all the time!!!!

i think thoose gas things are dodgy, cos they are another thing to go wrong and leak gas in to the boat (Plus risk of carbon monoxide) - not only that you need to jump thru hoops to get a BSS cert. with them.

 

[Nick_H]

Is that Joe Paloma? Classic joke if you haven't heard it.

 

[Greg2]

We are just having the Paloma removed to comply with BSS (vented into enclosed cockpit) - a calorifier will be fitted.
We found the Paloma safe, with hot water on tap all the time but on balance would probably prefer calorifier as we have shorepower most of the time to cater for days when engines not run.

 

[Talbot]

Paloma gas water heaters are no longer available, and there arent even any spares left. Rinnai make a better version which works with a shower (at least mine does).
easy decision really calorifier is good if you are using the engine all the time and will always have used it before needing hot water! gas is not as safe a system, but is continuously available (until you run out of gas!)

 

[Phill]

Thanks for your replies.

Think I'll go the calorifier route and hope the water stays hot overnight. Don't fancy running engines early in the morning just to shower. After I'll be on the Thames for the peace and quite.

Phill.

 

[LeytonC]

Yes, it will stay hot over night - at least mine does!

 

[abraxus]

Miine stays hot overnight too but make sure you get one big enough for 2 adults and 3 kids.

Not sure what size you'd need but would guess at biggest you can afford and have room for.

 

[Medskipper]

Calorifier every time!
Make sure it is lagged properly and it will stay hot over night, the great thing is that if the water goes cold you just tell the wife you just have to go cruising because the water needs warming up!!

The Mirage is a very nice spacious boat so you can't go wrong if you get one in good condition, if it has been kept in fresh water, check it out properly for any blisters on the hull! thats always good for a price reduction! nothing to be worried about you can always scrape them out and fill them during the winter!

Good luck
Barry

 

[nedmin]

Why not have both,you cant beat having hot water at any time.

 

[nedmin]

Dont forget when you install the calorifier to let the pipes from the engine drop below both input and output so that you break the thermal siphon effect, otherwise you wont have any hot water in the morning.

 

[BSSOffice]

[ QUOTE ]
i think thoose gas things are dodgy, cos they are another thing to go wrong and leak gas in to the boat (Plus risk of carbon monoxide) - not only that you need to jump thru hoops to get a BSS cert. with them.

[/ QUOTE ]

While not commenting on the gas-leak statement I can say that in some circumstances the non-room sealed instantaneous water heater can cause a build-up of carbon monoxide.

HOWEVER, playing at pedantry, you do not have to jump through hoops to get a certificate from the BSS in regard to such heaters as the checks relating to flueing and ventilation and all matters where you can kill yourself and your crew only, were made advisory only in 2002. If you are a risk to others outside of the boat in regard to fire,explosion or pollution, that's where examiners start failing boats.

You may still find difficulty getting one fitted, especially by a CORGI registered fitter.

We recommend fitting room-sealed gas appliances wherever you can.

Note item 8.6.1 on page 12 in chapter 8 of the new BSS Essential Guide which referes to calorifiers. It can be found here http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/BSS_Guide_chap8.pdf

Any technical questions regarding the BSS are welcome to bss.enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.com

regards

 

[Greg2]

So my examiner saying my heater can't vent into a cockpit enclosed by canopies isn't correct then?

 

[BSSOffice]

[ QUOTE ]
So my examiner saying my heater can't vent into a cockpit enclosed by canopies isn't correct then?

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Greg2
Depends in what context he is saying it. If he says that it prevents him from issuing a BSS certificate because of anything other than fire or explosion risk, then please contact me or Phil Rickett or Dave Washer, beacause we must sort this out.
However if he is saying, he is prevented from doing some other action eg repairs, gas-work, or anything not related to issuing a certificate because he is for example CORGI registered, then that is POSSIBLY true. (I'm not qualified and it is not appropriate for me to comment on CORGI codes etc. hence the stress)

NB I'm not saying that a flue venting into an enclosed space is safe either, there is a chance that it may be placing you at risk.
The office number is 01923 201278.

looking forward to resolving this.
Rob

 

[miket]

If you are contemplating a Fairline Mirage the latest ones are I believe around mid 1980's, so 20+ years old.
What is the central heating like?
If knackered you might contemplate replacing with system that also heats the water.
We have a Nimbus with Ardic boiler inc hot water and are based on Thames. It has transformed our river boating. Calorifier will never provide enough hot water in the morning for showers and washing up and as you point out you do not want to run engine on a nice quiet morning at an anti social time.
Give it some thought.
Ardic is a volvo product I think. Eberspacher do a similar one.