New water heater in CD 33

[Jack Chamberlain]

The 6-gal. Raritan water heater on our 21-year-old CD 33 finally died. So naturally, for the sake of simple installation, I ordered a new one just like it. Guess what? It didn't take long to realize that the new one would not fit through the opening of the port cockpit locker, where the heater lives -- because the old one wouldn't come out. About an inch too big! It was dead and rusty, anyway, so we just muscled it out. But there was no way the identical model would go in. We thought about trimming out the locker opening a bit, but it would have taken too much fiberglass from the locker lip. We're going to a another type of heater with smaller outside dimentions. Well, what else could be expected? It's a boat. I have concluded that Cape Dory picked the water heater they wanted and built the boat around it. Could this be correct?



jchamber@kaballero.com

[Bill Goldsmith]

I find it hard to believe that CD installed the water heater and then put on the deck, but it's quite possible they put in the heater and then installed the engine. I doubt it's worth pulling the engine to replace the water heater. I think you are on the right track looking for a different manufacturer's heater that has enough capacity and will fit. Would it make sense to put in two smaller ones, one for the head and one for the galley? Just an idea.

Bill Goldsmith
CD27#173
Second Chance

The 6-gal. Raritan water heater on our 21-year-old CD 33 finally died. So naturally, for the sake of simple installation, I ordered a new one just like it. Guess what? It didn't take long to realize that the new one would not fit through the opening of the port cockpit locker, where the heater lives -- because the old one wouldn't come out. About an inch too big! It was dead and rusty, anyway, so we just muscled it out. But there was no way the identical model would go in. We thought about trimming out the locker opening a bit, but it would have taken too much fiberglass from the locker lip. We're going to a another type of heater with smaller outside dimentions. Well, what else could be expected? It's a boat. I have concluded that Cape Dory picked the water heater they wanted and built the boat around it. Could this be correct?

goldy@bestweb.net

[Tom]

The Raritan heater came right out of the port cockpit locker on my CD 31, and the new Atlantis Stainless one went right in with no problem. Had to remove the expansion tank though. If it's close you might be able to remove the outer shell or loosen the screws that hold it together so that you can collapse the thin sheet metal cover and insulation against the inner tank which is the one that won't compress. As I recall the Raritan has an end cap and bottom cap that can be loosened by removing a half dozen little screws, then you can press on the sides of the sheet metal and make it oblong to gain about 3 or 4 inches. Tilt the end caps and then put it back together after it's below. There's a couple of inches of insulation inside the outer shell that will compress. It's all just thin sheet metal and fairly bendy.

The 6-gal. Raritan water heater on our 21-year-old CD 33 finally died. So naturally, for the sake of simple installation, I ordered a new one just like it. Guess what? It didn't take long to realize that the new one would not fit through the opening of the port cockpit locker, where the heater lives -- because the old one wouldn't come out. About an inch too big! It was dead and rusty, anyway, so we just muscled it out. But there was no way the identical model would go in. We thought about trimming out the locker opening a bit, but it would have taken too much fiberglass from the locker lip. We're going to a another type of heater with smaller outside dimentions. Well, what else could be expected? It's a boat. I have concluded that Cape Dory picked the water heater they wanted and built the boat around it. Could this be correct?

TomCambria@mindspring.com

[John R.]

Bill,

Don't find it hard to believe.......I've worked for a few builders and that practice is common place. The last thing that is assembled on the boat is dropping the deck in place, then it goes to final finish. The builders install what they get the best price on, they don't give much thought to servicability after the sale, believe me.

An Atlantic 6 gallon (the stainless one) should fit through that locker opening. Raritans have larger cabinets.

I find it hard to believe that CD installed the water heater and then put on the deck, but it's quite possible they put in the heater and then installed the engine. I doubt it's worth pulling the engine to replace the water heater. I think you are on the right track looking for a different manufacturer's heater that has enough capacity and will fit. Would it make sense to put in two smaller ones, one for the head and one for the galley? Just an idea.

Bill Goldsmith
CD27#173
Second Chance

The 6-gal. Raritan water heater on our 21-year-old CD 33 finally died. So naturally, for the sake of simple installation, I ordered a new one just like it. Guess what? It didn't take long to realize that the new one would not fit through the opening of the port cockpit locker, where the heater lives -- because the old one wouldn't come out. About an inch too big! It was dead and rusty, anyway, so we just muscled it out. But there was no way the identical model would go in. We thought about trimming out the locker opening a bit, but it would have taken too much fiberglass from the locker lip. We're going to a another type of heater with smaller outside dimentions. Well, what else could be expected? It's a boat. I have concluded that Cape Dory picked the water heater they wanted and built the boat around it. Could this be correct?

[Jack Chamberlain]

Tom and Bill, thanks for your replies to my plight. The new Raritan I ordered does not have the metal cap with screws, but a rust-proof vinyl cap glued onto the rust-proof vinyl body, so I couldn't easily remove it. I didn't want to damage anything if I had to return it. I thought about trimming out the opening, but decided it would remove too much fiberglass. The old one came out by unscrewing metal top and and compessing rusted shell. They must have installed it through the engine compartment before the engine was installed. But, hey, it's a boat! And a very beautiful one. We love it. We'll love it just as much with a rectangular 6-gal. water heater.



jchamber@kaballero.com

[McCracken, Odins Raven CD]

Jack
I've replaced mine, with one of they same size as the original. The only way I could get it into the its shelf in the port side locker, was to past it through the engine compartment. That required the disconecting of some hoses and wires. But it went past the engine and then into the locker via the opening from the engine compartment into the port side cockpit locker. This was on my CD330. I assume that the dimentions might be the same on the CD 33.
Hope it works for you too.
Bob MacCracken

The 6-gal. Raritan water heater on our 21-year-old CD 33 finally died. So naturally, for the sake of simple installation, I ordered a new one just like it. Guess what? It didn't take long to realize that the new one would not fit through the opening of the port cockpit locker, where the heater lives -- because the old one wouldn't come out. About an inch too big! It was dead and rusty, anyway, so we just muscled it out. But there was no way the identical model would go in. We thought about trimming out the locker opening a bit, but it would have taken too much fiberglass from the locker lip. We're going to a another type of heater with smaller outside dimentions. Well, what else could be expected? It's a boat. I have concluded that Cape Dory picked the water heater they wanted and built the boat around it. Could this be correct?

Odinrav@bellsouth.net

[Jack Chamberlain]

Bob, thanks for that suggestion. I'll measure and see if that works in 33.



jchamber@kaballero.com

[Al Smith]

We ran into the same problem that you ran into. I thought about doing some minor fiberglass work but then thought better about it. We though about how much hot water we really use and opted for a smaller water heater . It's a stainless heater , shipped from Richmond, Va, and it fits just right. It holds 4 gallons and we never run cold. But then, we rarely take showers, either. Let me know if you are interested and I will dig up the brand. It is in the West Marine catalogue, I believe.



saylr@adelphia.net

[Bill Wyatt]

I recently acquired (as a Christmas gift from my wife) an Isotemp 6gal water heater to replace the Raritan in my CD33 QWYATTLY. It is horizontally mounted and the diameter is 13.8". However, it is made with the insulation on the outside and the mounting straps and insulation can be removed so it can be passed through small openings. With the insulation removed, the diameter is only 10.5". This water heater was rated very high by Practical Sailor and I have a friend with one mounted in an Amel 41 who claims it heats much faster and stays hot longer than the Raritan he had previously. I have not yet installed it and am wondering how to squeeze the old one out without too much damage. I'll probably tackle this in March. You can buy Isotemp water heaters through Defender.
Good Luck
Bill Wyatt



wwyatt1001@aol.com

[John R.]

Jack,

Nope, not through the engine compartment...........

FYI regarding the building process, (Stage 1) the engine is usually the first thing installed in a hull on a production line and at about the same time the main bulkheads are being set. After that the furniture (smaller bulkheads and joinery) is being installed. Additionally lining material such as vinyl and ceilings (sides) such as the ash ones in CD's are installed at this point also. Next is the lower steering components, fuel tank, water tanks, holding tank. Those are the main components that are installed before any consideration or time is spent on a water heater installation.


Stage 2:
The water heater would be installed at this M.E.P. stage of production, that being mechanical, electrical and plumbing. The MEP stage includes basically everything else in the hull.

Stage 3:
After all that is completed dropping the deck would be next, after that is completed the companionway, shear and stern cap would be next in line along with a few final deck components such as stanchions. Most deck hardware is installed prior to dropping the deck, hatches included.

Stage 4:
The next stage is final MEP and then final finish and systems testing.

There, you have a boat.....nope they didn't give a damn about that water heater access. Funny though, it just dropped right in when it was built! Ha. The water heater is dropped in during first MEP stage, then the deck gets dropped.

Tom and Bill, thanks for your replies to my plight. The new Raritan I ordered does not have the metal cap with screws, but a rust-proof vinyl cap glued onto the rust-proof vinyl body, so I couldn't easily remove it. I didn't want to damage anything if I had to return it. I thought about trimming out the opening, but decided it would remove too much fiberglass. The old one came out by unscrewing metal top and and compessing rusted shell. They must have installed it through the engine compartment before the engine was installed. But, hey, it's a boat! And a very beautiful one. We love it. We'll love it just as much with a rectangular 6-gal. water heater.

[Jack Chamberlain]

Bill, we removed our old Raritan by removing the round top and squeezing the body, which was falling apart from rust, anyway. Thanks for your suggestion.



jchamber@kaballero.com