Welcome to the group . We also have the Paloma water heater but it is in the galley behind the sink. We feel comfortable using it when needed but turn off the gas with the solenoid valve at the tank when on board. The switch is lighted and behind the stove so it’s hard to ignore. We always turn off the manual valve when sailing or leave the boat and also have forgotten to do that once of twice. When we do we turn on the bilge vent fan before going below for precaution.
All the Best,
Brian and Kathy Cayer
Spirit~Wind
N30U 419
Westbrook, Ct
I am based in Toronto, Canada and I am now sure what the Canadian marine insurance will require. Marine survey will be done tomorrow and so I will see what the surveyor says.
Replacing with the EXCEL is an option (no pilot light) and seems to be an easy installation…since I can just use the old Paloma lines to plug and play.
I alos thought the heat exchanger - getting heat from the engine - but this can be a very complicated affairs.
SIDE QUESTION: Somebody mentioned installing a gas defector in the bilge and will shut off the solenoid switch when it detects gas? What brand/model of this detector is ? I am more scared of blowing up the boat and a gas defector seems to be a peice of mind.