Replacing hot water heater & hoses

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TomR's picture
TomR
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Joined: 12/4/17
Posts: 38
Replacing hot water heater & hoses

I am in the process of replacing an old hot water heater (off season project). I have the old one out and actually bought an exact Seaward replacement through Walmart on sale. It was the best deal on the internet and free delivery to boot. However, after reading this forum I will also replace the exchanger hoses to the heater. I plan on buying Shields Series 135 Heavy Duty Water hose 5/8 inch. The best deal seems to be though go2marine.com at a fraction of the West Marine price. Does anyone know what lenth hoses I need to buy? I was going to purchase 2 ten ft hoses, but that seems like way too much.
    
Thanks, 
Tom R
ObLaDi ObLaDa
C36 MkII, Hull 1998
North East, MD
 

Tom Runiewicz
ObLaDi ObLaDa
Catalina 36 MkII, Wing Keel, Tall Rig
Hull #1998
North East, MD
 

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Haro
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Joined: 11/7/14
Posts: 403

Tom, I replaced mine recently. Here is the link to my project   http://mei1970.org/saillavie/
For more photos view the album photos aswell.
Click on Hot water Heater replacement. If you are refering to the hoses that carry the antifreez then they are 11 feet 8" and 11 feet 1" for my 1999 C36. I would imagin yours is the same. I tied a line to one of hose and pulled it out while the line went in its place. I then had the entire hose out and I could measure it accuarately. You can always push the excess back under the hull lining.
Good luck with the project. For me it required that I remove 2 cabinets and disconnect the charger.
Haro.
 

Cwhit
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Joined: 11/12/21
Posts: 14

Hello Haro,
Thanks for the excellent description and photos of your water heater replacement.  I'm facing the same situation with my 2000 C-36 mkii.  Quick questions if you don't mind.  First, is that Whale S600 a direct replacement for the original Seaward S600 (or more importantly, are the dimensions similar for the install)?  Secondly, I couldn't tell from the photos, but did you remove/replace it from the galley side or from the settee side?  My problem with the settee side is that my air conditioning unit is located there and I really don't want to take out that system if I don't have to.  The charger is not an issue, as its located differently, and not in the way.

Sadly, 2 yrs later, the cost has gone up and $100-150.  Oh well...Sail La Vie!

Chris

"Summer Wind"
2000 Catalina 36 MKII, #1885, Standard Rig, Wing Keel
Home Port: Lighthouse Point, FL

"I fly, I sail, I throw caution to the wind.
Drift like a stratus cloud above the Caribbean..."
--Jimmy Buffett

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TomR
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Joined: 12/4/17
Posts: 38

Haro,

Thank you, your link was excellent. Especially reguarding not letting air into the antifreeze system. Unfortunately I already lost a fair amount of antifreeze when I took the hoses off the heater. I'll need to refill and bleed the air out. 

BTW I'm also thinking of installing a hot water heater by-pass using a 3 way valve before the cold water intake & a shut-off valve after the hot water outflow. Reconnecting the by-pass with a Y connector to the hot line after the shut-off valve. That way I can easily winterize the heater by opening and closing the valves and draining it. Otherwise I have to undo and redo the connections each season in a a tight space.Think I found a shut-off valve & Y connector to withstand the hot water. The water lines are 1/2"  tube, correct? I need to buy extra tubing & make sure the valves and connectors fit.
The antifreeze line is 5/8" to the heater. What did you use? I was going to buy Shields 135 Heavy duty water hose.

Fun off season projects...
 

Tom Runiewicz
ObLaDi ObLaDa
Catalina 36 MkII, Wing Keel, Tall Rig
Hull #1998
North East, MD
 

Makara
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Joined: 1/11/19
Posts: 13

Strange...  Walmart and Amazon have the exact same price for the Seward/Whale S600 water heater now... $331.98 and free shipping.. The dreaded leak will be fixed early next week I hope..

Joe - -
Mobile, AL.
S.V. Makara
1995 Catalina 36 MkII - Hull #1401 

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