At first I saw only a small amount of coolant in the bilge, but very rapidly the coolant would accumulate in the bildge almost as fast as I replaced it in the radiator. In other words, once a small hole in these hoses developes, they deteriorate VERY RAPIDLY.
That being said, the job turned out to be much easier than I thought. But then, come to think of it, most every fix I have done till now has been easier than I thought (my mind always imagines the job to be way bigger than it actually turns out...the product of a mind not used to fixing things myself). It's amazing what you can do when you finally break down and buy some proper tools!
I discovered that, at least on my boat, there is no need to attach the new hoses to the old hoses to pull them through. This discovery happened quite by accident as I jiggled the first hose at the water weater to see where it came out on the other end. As it turns out, the hose the jiggled at the other end WAS NOT the same hose. So when I pulled it through, the new hose was not attached to it. Boy did I freak out when that happened! In a fit of desperation, I grabbed the new hose and tried to feed it through from the engine side, and lo and behold, I was able to push it within grabbing distance on the water heater side. What a relief! I did the same thing with the second hose with the same result.
**BTW, this procedure may not work on other boats. All I'm saying is that it worked on mine.**
At any rate, I just wanted to show a picture of the holes in the hoses, as I never would have guessed that these hoses had massive holes in them based on the exposed portions of the hoses I could see. They looked like they were in prestine condition coming out of the engine, and just as prestine where they connect to the water heater. Thus I spent a considerable amount of time checking the engine and the water heater itself for leaks, but to no avail. So I finally decided to pull and replace the hoses, and I found a giant hole in each, and in right about in the same location (kinda makes you wonder how they both burst in the same place on the hose, no?).
All the best--Joel S.
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
Joel, maybe just me but I am surprised that those coolant hoses are wire reinforced. I have found that wire reinforced hoses are no guarantee of longevity and in fact may accelerate deterioration.
Tom Irwin
North Saanich, BC, Canada
1983 Catalina 30 - #3134
Until June 10, 2013
Future Catalina 36 MK II owner
Oh great, my replacement hoses had the same wire running through them. There is, however, one bit of positive news about the new hoses I forgot to mention. I bought two ten foot hoses for the job from West Marine. They told me that they would buy back any leftover hose by the foot at the same price I paid per foot (they don't buy back leftover inches, so 2' 5" would be treated as 2 feet). In all, I think I sold back 7 or 8 feet of hose, a substantial savings (although West Marine's prices are pretty high to begin with...but boy are they convenient!...WM is within walking distance from my marina :o)
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
Hi Joel,
Did you use the Shields 5/8" hose from WM, I think it's around $3.20 per foot? I don't think it has wire, maybe fiber braided.
I'm replacing my water heater in early July with the same, Seaward 6 gallon. A guy at West Marine told me that Seaward sell directly to the public. I've called several listings for Seaward Products and there is never an answer. I've tried emailing too but no response. I'm thinking now I may go with Kuuma or upgrade to another brand.
Tony
Tony Cullen
s/v Sceptre
1995 C-36 MkII 1449 TR/FK
San Diego, CA. (Chula Vista Marina)
Tony,
You can get an exact replacement from Defender:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|2234308|2234311&id=2092214
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
[QUOTE=sceptre1;18416]I'm replacing my water heater in early July with the same, Seaward 6 gallon. A guy at West Marine told me that Seaward sell directly to the public. I've called several listings for Seaward Products and there is never an answer. I've tried emailing too but no response.[/QUOTE]
Tony,
I read this on this C36 Board: [url]http://www.c36ia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2230&highlight=seaward[/url]
Maybe that's why.
Stu
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Hey Tony, I replaced with the exact same hose with the spiral wire inside. Most people I have read on various sailing boards say wire is better, some say the opposite. Not sure who is right. In the end the job is done, I can run my engine again, and I've got my water heater back when under power, and most importantly, I have gained the experience of doing it myself...a very good feeling indeed. Next, time to rebed my leaky chainplates. I can't believe it's me saying this, but I'm actually looking forward to it, thanks to the confidence inspired by all the sailing websites...especially this one.
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
Thanks to you all,
Tom, I ordered the new WH from Defender. Stu, thanks for the info. Joel, thanks for your input, I'll probably see you in CV, I'll be down there around
7/3 to 7/10, putting in my exhaust manifold and WH. Hope to get some sailing up to Mission Bay.
You all have a great Summer sailing season.
Tony
Tony Cullen
s/v Sceptre
1995 C-36 MkII 1449 TR/FK
San Diego, CA. (Chula Vista Marina)