Hot Water Heater Purchase?

[Tom Lindrup]

I have hull #39  1986 C34 with the original 6 gal hot water heater and it is very rusty and I constantly have to hit the red reset button to get the heater to work. I have turned down the temperature setting but it still dose not work and looks like the unit is on it's last legs, so I plan on replacing it.
I can not tell the brand name and the manual that came from Catalina from the original owner has no brand name either. My question is where is the best place to pick one of these heaters up. Do I need to buy a special one or can I go to Home Depot? It is a round model.
Thanks for the help.
Tom Lindrup
tlindrup@yahoo.com
Hull #39

[Fuzzy]

Tom:
I just went thru the same thing.  My old round heater just rusted out.  I did a search for
the original manufacturer (found their label on the heater after I removed it from the boat)
and found that they had a lawsuit and went out of business years back.
I had trouble finding an affordable round heater so went with a square one.  I picked the
Seaward model F600W which is white poly coated.  According to the tech from Seaward it
is even better than the stainless model for anti-rust.  The make the unit in galvanized steel and
stainless steel as well (we're talking about the casing, the tanks are all the same and are
aluminum I believe.  The best price that I found for the Seaward heater was from John Peets
of Boat Stove Docker in Florida. The only thing is he only takes Pay Pal or waits for your check
to get to him first.  His number is (954) 817-1246.  I'm still in the process of installing as I
took advantage of the heater out of the way to insulate the icebox and do the sink drain
mod.  I had to modify the placement of the pressure water pump to make room and I removed
the foot ice box pump and replaced it with an electric pump to make more room and to also
provide a little more storage hopefully.  Seaward recommended the heat exchanger on the
front so all hose connections are on the same end, I think either way would have worked ok,
(they make the connections on either end).  If I can help in any other way just holler, good
luck.
          Larry

[Tom Lindrup]

Larry, thanks a lot, this is helpful. I will call around up here in the Great Lakes to see what I can find locally.
Tom Lindrup

[Ron Hill]

Tom : Get a water heater that's galvanized as the innards are the same as the stainless(only the case is different), but most important is to look at your existing plumbing.  Where are (which side) the inlet/outlet, electrical wiring and hoses from the engine.  They make a variety of square heaters, just get one that matches your present electrical/plumbing.  Makes it MUCH easier to install.   

[Tom Lindrup]

Ron, thanks for the tips. I am going to have the service people at my marina, Crosswinds, Whitehall, Mich. take a look at the unit with me so I get the right answers to the plumbing and electrical hookups.
Tom Lindrup

[Ken Juul]

The Seward 6 gal heater is usually on Sale at WM/BUS. 

[Tom Lindrup]

Ron, WM has a stainless version of the 6 Gal. Seward heater on sale for $199. You said to get Galvanized but is there anything wrong with going with stainless?
Thanks,
Tom Lindrup

[Stu Jackson]

You don't need to spend a single cent more for the stainless, the galvanized is just fine.  If it's the same $$, then it's your choice.

[Tom Lindrup]

Stu, thanks. I called Tom @ Seward and he gave me the galv unit at Catalina owner price of $185 which sounds pretty fair?
Thanks to all of you for your help. I have taken Ron and your suggestions and have been scouring the C34 site, FAQ's, Tech Notes etc and I am blown away by the amount of quality information avaliable. I am glad to be joining the C34 owner group and hope as I move along in my learning curve that I can contribute back.
Tom Lindrup

[Bruce Hanson]

Hello Tom

If you get a chance stop by Whitehall Landing slip #36 next door and say Hi. We are in our 2nd year with Andiamo (name yet to be applied) Good luck on your water heater.

[Tom Lindrup]

Hi Bruce
I will stop by today. I am in slip #51 on B dock at Crosswinds. Chog In is the name on the sides of the boat.
Tom Lindrup

[Ron Hill]

Tom : It sounds as though the Catalina price is the best from what I've seen, I'd go with it.