Water Heater

[ejds]

I'm looking at adding a water heater to my 25 Bluejacket.  There are a few different options, each with their drawbacks.  Major concerns are safety and energy use.  Propane would be the most convenient but also the most dangerous option with an open flame burning away.

Other options are electric and solar.  They can take heat from the engine but that wouldn't work with an outboard engine.  I don't think I would like to rely on purely solar in the form of a black bag laying on the roof.

 

Here is a list of different option I explored:

1.Portable tankless propane heaters that could be installed outside but from what I read on them the temperature control is a problem and it would look kind of ugly.  

 

2.  Tankless propane with a forced vent and/or oxygen sensor to be mounted inside the boat.

 

3. RV propane tank heater.  They need a rather large vent opening to the outside limiting the location.  

These propane options are possibly not approved by any insurance companies but would give a "limitless" supply of hot water until the water tank is empty.

 

4.  3 or 6 gallon tank water heater running on 120 V.  This would need a generator or only hot water in a marina.

 

5.  Whale/Seaward has a new 3 gallon 12 V 300 Watt water heater.  They claim it will heat the 3 gallons in about an hour.  Lots of battery power and that coupled with the low charging amps from an outboard motor.

 

6.  A 3 or 6 gallon 120 V water heater and possibly changing the element out with a 12 V element.  This in combination with a solar panel hooked up to a heat exchanger built in the tank.  Heliatos has some interesting solar panels.

 

Each one of these have their good and bad sides and none are perfect.  Does anybody have an idea if a 3 gallon size would be enough for two people.  

 

Egbert

[K4lmy]

Egbert. Diane and I are considering a 3/6gal water heater ... Thinking more about 120 v for use in marinas...  Water will stay hot for several hours from what I hear.  Main use is for washing up the dishes.. We are currently heating water on propane stove and that is using up the gas bottles.. ( 1 Lb)  .. may sacrifice one of our two water tanks.. to help on weight.. I think we need to pay more attention to weight. These are our thoughts from 4 months  on the boat.

[Tom Lathrop]

My best solution to hot water on a small boat without any large power source is this:  http://www.duckworksbbs.com/gear/shower/index.htm

 

People who use these say they work great and practically zero weight and complexity added to the boat.  A quickie shower in the cockpit works for me.

 

Simple is best except when complicated is really cool.

[Chick Ludwig]

I LIKE it!!!

[graftonian]

We (My wife and I) heated water by using a Honda inverter style generator and marine water heater, at http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariston-4-0-gal-6-Year-1500W-120-Volts-Point-of-Use-Mini-Electric-Water-Heater-GL4-0/100011293#specifications, there is even a nicer heater unit.  Starting the gen an hour before anchoring provided hot water all evening, and no noise.

[ejds]

We (My wife and I) heated water by using a Honda inverter style generator and marine water heater, at http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariston-4-0-gal-6-Year-1500W-120-Volts-Point-of-Use-Mini-Electric-Water-Heater-GL4-0/100011293#specifications, there is even a nicer heater unit.  Starting the gen an hour before anchoring provided hot water all evening, and no noise.

 

Since I have a Honda 2000 that would probably a route to take.  I still would like to combine it with some solar heat.

 

Egbert