Water heater in 40ft Hunter

clstanton · #1 09-23-2011

Stepping up from the 22ft boat we used to have, we have purchased a 40ft Hunter 40. The previous owners apparently didn't like the water heater so they removed it and did not replace. I assume it broke just before they sold the boat so instead of spending the money they just took it out and bypassed it. Anyway I will need to replace it but I have no knowledge in this area.

I was wondering if anybody knew what used to be in the boat. Finding that out I figured I would have a place to start to look at all the options available.

Chris and Kim

Faster · #2 09-23-2011

Wow - quite the 'step up'! I guess they call that '18 foot-itis'

Can you see where the bypass was installed? It ought to be right where the heater was unless they short circuited it right at the engine.

If they left the original plumbing in place then measuring that space and comparing it to the various available heaters should get you started. Also there was likely an AC cct for shore power heating.. that's probably still in place too, I'd guess.

Good luck and enjoy the new boat!

Brezzin · #3 09-25-2011

If you know the year of the boat, better yet, have full the hull ID number and email hunter through their website (under technical questions) Eddie will email you back your answer with the information that your looking for. In the past couple of weeks I emailed him several times and he got back to me within hours with the answers I was looking for. Don't bother calling them, they respond better to email.

clstanton · #4 09-26-2011

Thanks Breezin.
I went to their web site hoping for a link. I'll send the email!

Chris

stam22 · #5 09-26-2011

I knew a couple that raced a 36 footer, can't remember the make, and when the water heater quit, they removed it to save weight. Racers, go figure.
Anyway, when my Raritan rotted from the outside-in, it still worked but they used to use a metal case, which was planned obsolesence, and they used to sell a replacement case. Then they started manufacturing plastic cases, but no longer sold replacement parts. I guess that keeps them in business.
I ended up replacing it with a Superstor water heater because I needed a round one to fit the same footprint. The Raritan was very expensive, and I found a distributor in Tiverton, RI that sells the Superstor for a lot less.