I’m looking at a NS30 Ultra with a removed water heater from the galley. Has anyone had experience with replacing one of these?
Many owners have done just that. Go to our website and you can get all the info. On my boat, I got rid of that gas heater and went engine/electric. Much happier.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Thanks. How many $$ involved in that?
The original propane powered on-demand heaters have largely gone out of production. Owners who’ve replaced it seem to have largely gone with the Excel heater also popular in the RV world, e.g., the one advertised for $175 at:
The kind of engine/electric heater that Joe advocates is a tank where water is heated in two ways: by 120V electricity at the dock, or by heat exchange with the diesel engine while running. Examples would be something like the 6-10 gallon capacity water heaters advertised for $320 all the way up to $916 at:
There are tradeoffs, as well as additional costs.
Tankless on-demand:
-
Pro’s: lower initial cost; relatively convenient to install in a Nonsuch because it drops into a pre-existing location and set-up; convenient to use, particularly when at anchor for several days
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Con’s: although newer systems claim to avoid these problems and I’ve not seen any reports of problems with Excels in this discussion group, other manufacturers some time back had problems with carbon monoxide leaks and fire risks that leave extremely safety-oriented folks still concerned; the original propane hose routing on many Nonsuches was not up to current codes, so re-doing the propane system may be necessary
Traditional hot water heaters: -
Pro’s: no reputational safety issues to make anyone nervous; well-proven and relatively reliable technology similar to what many people have in their homes; work well for how many people use their boats
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Con’s: greater initial expense; installation is more complicated because hook-ups are required to the fresh water system, the engine, and the 120V electrical system; maintenance (replacing zincs or heating elements) although rare, is inconvenient because tanks are usually in lazarette or engine compartment; you only have hot water on days when you’re connected to shore power or have run the engine for an hour.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch 26U, #233
There is another alternative. I pulled out my Paloma Water heater years ago when I dismantled the stove after discovering a corrosion issue. That and aging propane lines made me go with a stove and water heater powered by one pound propane canisters. For the water heater I use a portable Coleman HWOD water heater. It works great in the shower or the cockpit since it is easy to move around. They have upgraded the model since I bought mine but, mine is still working great after ten years. https://biankablog.blogspot.com/2009/07/in-hot-water.html
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
My boat’s Paloma heater was removed by previous owner and replaced by Isotherm tank mounted in centre of cockpit locker aft of engine. Uses 120VAC and engine to heat water. I installed a microwave oven in cabinet above galley sink formerly occupied by Paloma heater.
If replacing with Excel tankless propane system, better to first check with boat’s insurance company as I think some won’t allow these.
Don
NS30U #369
Vancouver BC
This may be a minority opinion but I have had the tankless Paloma heater on my 1986 30U and my 1995 354 and just love it.
Particularly after installing a city water connection for shore water, we enjoy endless hot water for both cleaning the dishes and taking showers.
All on demand without heating and the. keeping a HW tank filled.
Michael Jabara
Hobbes II - 1995 NS 354
San Rafael, California
A Kiwi Nonsuch 30 Ultra: In Hot Water! ~ Adventures in Plumbing! (kiwi-nonsuch.blogspot.com)
John
NS30U#400
Wireless
Tauranga NZ
Me too…. I only turn on the propane to it and light the pilot light when I need hot water.
Never once had the propane alarm in the bilge go off except when I test it after launch.
Brian McCuaig. NS30u
Whitby, Ontario
“Having a yacht is reason for being more cheerful than most."
I replaced my failing original Paloma water heater on my N30U with an Excel ($200.) as have several other Nonsuches who have shared their experiences on our site. Like them, I was very pleased with ease of installation and excellent performance of the Excel model.
I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the previous owner of my newly acquired N33 had done the Excel conversion before my purchase.
Ed Strazzini
PELICAN, N33 #36
Deltaville, Va
One of the advantages of having a setup like Don”s and mine is that we never get naked in the shower, have to redress and then go out to the cockpit to turn on the gas and then re-light the pilot. My unit will have hot water for me with electric in about 10 minutes and about 15 minutes for the engine.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
I follow the same practice, unless we are using a propane appliance the propane is off at the tank. How do you check the propane alarm?
Ed and Marlene Brost
SaSeaCat, NS30322
Sarnia Yacht Club
519 312-8650
Ed - to test the propane alarm, have the Admiral put a kettle down on the stove top quickly, and if the flame goes out, the alarm will sound. We checked ours that way; it’s the new install as described recently in the INA newsletter. I think I was snoozing at the time, so I can report that the alarm was loud enough to wake someone. A good test. 
John A. Stewart
NS26C 046
Bath, ON.
Hi (Name?) -
I replaced my old Paloma on-demand water heater, and the entire propane system this past Spring. I am certain I detailed the work here on the discussion group, with photos. I replaced the old Paloma, which was making me nervous after 35 seasons, with the low-pressure Excel unit that is ‘ventless’ - however, I reconfigured the old exhaust chimney from the Paloma to fit the new Excel, as one does not want all of that hot moist air being directed into the cabin (not in the summer months anyway!)… The Excel unit is ‘pilotless’… it is battery operated and ignites when it senses water being requested… It has worked very well!!
As noted by another poster, when our boats were built the regulations were different. During this project I brought the entire propane system up to today’s code (sealed propane locker, all T’s (splits) confined to inside the sealed propane locker (the original T was inside the engine compartment up against the saloon)
It wasn’t that difficult of a project, just a bit time consuming to ensure I had the correct parts to all fit together, correct lengths of hose to reach each individual appliance, etc.
Please note how we all sign our messages - it will help provide better answers to your inquiries as different countries, locations (warm vs freezing) have different requirements… and there may be someone nearby to you who would be happy to lend a hand if needed!
Regards,
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30 Ultra 430
Jersey City, NJ
Peter is giving great advice on two points:
- Much easier to be helpful if we know location. (Names are nice, too, for sociability but in this case the original poster was looking to buy rather than owning, so maybe there were privacy concerns.)
- His post from last May on his installation was excellent, and well worth looking at for anyone else considering doing the job. (Well, actually, he didn’t claim it was excellent. That’s just my opinion.)
It can be found at https://groups.google.com/g/ina-nonsuch-discussion-group/c/WE3CGAWaP7U/m/PEyUcN01BAAJ
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch 26C, #233
I follow the same practice, unless we are using a propane appliance the propane is off at the tank. How do you check the propane alarm?
Thanks, this sounds very easy to do. I may give it a try it today.
…..Ed
Ed and Marlene Brost
SaSeaCat, NS30322
Sarnia Yacht Club
519 312-8650
Hi Bob,
Your comments are very kind, and gracious, thank you!
Peter
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30 Ultra 430
Jersey City, NJ