dowsize water heater?

[Bash]

Please advise: my Force 10 11-gallon water heater has begun to leak despite the fact that it's only six years old. The locker in which the heater fits is an inch too short to fit the Isotemp 11-gallon heater. I'm tempted to go with a smaller, 6.4 gallon Isotemp Basic 24 heater.

Or would it be better just to replace the 11-gallon Force 10, which is less than half the price of the Isotemp?

[sarafina]

what a drag!

I am getting ready to install a tiny on-demand myself, no space for a tank heater on the Cal. While considering options I saw this thread;

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ter-27061.html

Might be useful!

[Cheechako]

What size family? Basically, for two I've been fine with 6 gallon. lasts for end of the day (after motoring) kitchen cleanup and still warm enough for a short shower in the am usually. But I can be a water miser at times too. I've had the basic (non-isotemp) units last over a decade. Sounds like you had bad luck on yours. I would be tempted to just replace with like kind. It seems looking at the other thread, that maybe a Force 10 is not the best unit. The standard taiwanese (?) ones seem pretty good!

[sailorchic34]

My 6 gallon force 10 heater leaked after 5 years. That appears to be the life of cheepie (ok not that cheep) water heaters.

The Isotherm looks to be constructed with much better materials and insulation so should last far longer.

If you get the force 10 heater, just plan on replacing it again in 5-6 years..

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

What size family?

There are two of us. On the previous boat, we were just fine with a 6-gallon unit. We were careful, however, not to shower and wash dishes at the same time. With the 11-gallon tank, there have never been worries.

[Cheechako]

I think Seaward is the brand I had pretty good luck with. available 6 or 11 gal.

[WebWench]

We have a 6 or 6.5 gallon water heater and it is definitely sufficient for us. No need to waste energy heating almost twice as much water.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Bash

We were careful, however, not to shower and wash dishes at the same time. With the 11-gallon tank, there have never been worries.

Just curious...why? If you dishes first then shower, you use the same amount of hot water. Unless your fresh water pump can't handle two faucets at the same time (and most can), I don't understand.

[Stu Jackson]

We have a six gallon Seaward, works just fine for the two of us on cruises, just time your uses for when you do have hot water. Maybe the morning shower has to be delayed until you motor enough to heat water the next day. When elec is available, not an issue.

[Vasco]

Get the smaller one. The Force 10 water heater is not the best. I ordered one years ago and returned it.

[rebel heart]

You guys are fancy. No water heater here. Actually we had one that was engine driven but ripped it out and plugged the holes.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

You guys are fancy. No water heater here. Actually we had one that was engine driven but ripped it out and plugged the holes.

HA, I tossed my leaky one and now use a solar shower or heat the water on the stove.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Just curious...why? If you dishes first then shower, you use the same amount of hot water. Unless your fresh water pump can't handle two faucets at the same time (and most can), I don't understand.

When you are done motoring there is 6 gal of hot water in the tank. As you are using that water, fresh water is pumped into the hot water tank diluting the the hot water. At the end of the pump out, the water may become luke warm.
I seldom used the heater at the dock (except when I was living aboard and working of course) but I really like the engine heated hot water feature. When you get somewhere wind whipped and tired. It's ready to use. If you run the engine to charge the batteries... hot water is ready.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

HA, I tossed my leaky one and now use a solar shower or heat the water on the stove.

That's what we do. Disk dishes are fine at "normal" temperature, and showers are either the sun or the stove. Not too bad.

[Sailor Doug]

It was 31 degrees F this morning. Had no problem taking a nice hot shower. Have a six gallon tank and it has never let the two of us with out hot water.(110v) running from engine you need to be careful that it does not get too hot. Need to use on off button on shower.