We have a 1996 Sumerset houseboat on Dale Hollow Lake. Last weekend while visiting the boat and taking a general look around I noticed that one or both of the water heaters were leaking. The units are adjacent to one another in the forward starboard section of the hull and the plywood below them is damp. I suspect both heaters are original and want to replace them both.

The problem is the current heaters were produced by General Products Corp of Crossville TN. and so far as I can determine they are out of business or not making water heaters. Both heaters are 17 gal. 120V units and are 22" tall.

I have been all over the internet trying to find a 17 gal heater or one with a height of 22 1/2" or less (the max I can go without cutting braces etc.) in the 15 - 17 gal. range and haven't come up with anything. In addition a unit even close such as a 20 gal Raitan is VERY expensive ($750.00+) and I need 2! (Welcome to boating, I guess).

I am writting in hopes someone else has experienced and solved a similar delimma.

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16 X 80 1996 Summerset on Dale Hollow

What does Somerset say?

I haven't contacted them about this issue as yet. The reason is they have been less than helpful and responsive in the past when I contacted them concerning other issues such as rub rail and interior trim pieces. Still I guess I should. I will go to thier website and send 'em an email. Thanks for the suggestion.

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16 X 80 1996 Summerset on Dale Hollow

Amen to that! So it's not just Gibson.
Just in general, electric HWHs are not complicated. Now may be the time to move on to a more generic installation & install less specific type heaters.
I know laying on your back & working upside down is not fun, but better now than when the heat & humidity is up.

sounds like the voice of experience!

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Our '98 Sumerset had (1) of the same heaters installed O.E.. I replaced it with a "State" brand 19gallon that's actually about 1 inch shorter, has side in/outlets, and a single 120V circuit. Replacement was fairly straightforward. Only modification was need to replace one or the other plastic hoses connected to tank as new one required it to be a little bit longer.

Sorry I can't supply a part or serial number as boat's hour and a half away and may not be going to it for a couple weeks.

Bob

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I carry a gun because it's too tiring carrying a cop.

you should also consider just going back with one water heater and simply turn up the heat setting a little. We have 2 baths on ours and never have run out of hot water with the single tank unit.

I recently replaced my 12 gallon Raratan with a 19 gallon 120v Whirlpool household type from Lowes, because the 12 gallon just wasn't enough. I live aboard, and the 19 has been fully adequate. Sorry, its 24.5" tall.

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Harbor Master 47
Watts Bar Lake - TN River

lOWES, HOME DEPOT, ETC

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

If your water heaters are not located in the engine compartment or near a fuel source, go with a generic heater from Sears, Lowe's, Home depot, etc. I have the same water heater and it is no longer in production. I will be looking at the same replacement problem soon and a 19 gallon Sears will do the job nicely. As somebody else mentioned, a single 19 gallon may also do the job for you. Try to determine your hot water usage and go accordingly. The foot print taken by that second heater would allow for the storage of an additional six to eight cases of barley pop. Good luck

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Ken Paulson
1996 44' Gibson Std.
twin 350 crusaders
Upper Mississippi

Since first posing this question I have gone to Lowe's and Home Depot as well as contacted Sumerset as someone suggested. The units at Lowe's and H.D. proved to be too tall. Sumerset put me onto their supplier, Lumber King. I contacted them and lo and behold they had been supplying a "Reliance" unit that was 22" tall (19.5 gal.) HOWEVER, they had just gotten a resupply and sent them to Sumerset only to have them returned because the manufacturer had changed them without telling anyone. Care to guess what they changed? The height is now 24 5/8". Sumerset told Lumber King they couldn't use them as they were too tall leaving everyone womdering how to solve the problem. The guy at Lumber King was VERY HELPFUL (I wish we had one here in southern Indiana.)

I have not checked with Sears as yet but will do so this evening.

I know I could reduce to one heater but I know what I have now works (at least the mate doesn't complain) and I hate to try it and then find out during the season I really needed to go back to what I have. I figure more is probably better in this case.

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16 X 80 1996 Summerset on Dale Hollow

If what you have NOW works why change it at all? I have a suspicion that the leaks are coming from a connection somewhere, and not the water heaters themselves.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

That's what I thought to Admrial but the connections are easy to get at and I examined each very carefully as well as wrapped tissue around each joint (an old trick I have used many times to detect moisture) and there was no evidence of any leak. I am sure these things are 10 years old so I'm not that upset about them failing at this point. 10 years is a lot more than I've been able to get out of my waterheaters at home. Replacing them if I can find a 22" tall unit would be a 3 or 4 on a scale of 10 but if I am forced to modify things to use something near 25" tall it will jump to 7 or 8 (or maybe more!)

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16 X 80 1996 Summerset on Dale Hollow

did you check the heating element??? It can leak as well.

On the other hand, you're going to have to replace it sooner or later. Might as well get the surgery over with, and then you can quit worrying about it.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Edited: 01/07/2008 at 02:17:15 PM by stmbtwle

That's kinda what I was thinking.

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16 X 80 1996 Summerset on Dale Hollow

http://www.statewaterheaters.com/index.html


These people HAVE WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR!!!!

As I stated in an earlier post, I BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, less than 2 years ago. On a '98 16X78 Sumerset. How much more info do you need?

Bob

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I carry a gun because it's too tiring carrying a cop.

Thanks for the response and website Alreadygone. Unfortunately, it appears they HAD what I need and have stopped producing it. When I visited the site the 17 gal. heater, which is 21 3/4" tall shows as discontinued. All the similar sized heaters (the nearest I could find was 19 gal.) are 25" tall or more. I did register with their website and posed the question of them as well as asked if any of the discontinued 17 gal heaters might be still available somewhere. They say they will respond within 24 hours. I guess we will see. Thanks again. Southern Cross

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16 X 80 1996 Summerset on Dale Hollow

Well, I got my answer from State Water Heaters:

Response (Stoney Anderson) 01/10/2008 10:29 AM
Gordon,
The only heater to come in under the height you require would be the 10 gallon electric. For information on stock on discontinued heaters you would have to contact local dealers and check to see if they have any on hand. If you have additional questions please let me know.

Looks like I'm out of luck and options. Guess I'll be doing some modifications and putting in some taller heaters!

Thanks to all for the comments and advice. I'll post again after I have installed the larger water heater(s) and let you know how it went.

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16 X 80 1996 Summerset on Dale Hollow

Sorry to have set you on a wild goose chase! Less than 2 years ago they did have them available. Next time I'm on our boat I'm gonna get numbers and maybe even pics.

Bob

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I carry a gun because it's too tiring carrying a cop.

Dear Alreadygone and all those that tried to help me with my "water heater" issue.

I thought long and hard about this but I can't contiune to participate in these forums until I have bared my soul.

I am at the lake and attempted to install the replacement water heaters I bought Friday night ($425.00) Upon arriving last night I examined the hold area and the heaters. The decking was soaked; one or both of these babies was really leaking even with the pump off. I was glad to be getting this addressed.

After a trip to the Celina Lumber store this (Sat.) morning, they are only open a half day, to purchase 2 x 4s I left at home, a pipe wrench, hammer, pipe dope, plumbing fittings, etc. (all which I have at home, 3 hours away and now have at the boat. approx. $50.00). I returned to the Southern Cross to begin the major surgery. (Did I forget to mention I hauled the water heaters to the boat as well as all my Saturday morning purchases which is a 5 minute walk from the parking lot beginning with a steep, due to lack of water in the lake, slick ramp? We love our slip but it is a hike.) I attached the pump which I purchased at home and actually remembered bring and pumped both heaters dry, then disconnected the power and plumbing from the aft heater, pried the deck boards loose holding it in place slid it to the hatch and heaved it skyward to a friend in the salon. (About 2 hours)

My anticipation rose as I examined the heater to see if this was the one leaking. I removed the heater element housing so I could access the bottom ..... dry as bone. Huh? It must be the other one. I retuned to the confines of the hold and started work on the forward heater. "Hey", my buddy called out, "why don't you take the housing off that one and take a look". Good idea! Bone Dry Again. HUH????

I started to look around, just behind the heaters there are two sleaves that serve as chases to route the hot and cold lines to the "Tiki" bar on the upper deck. What's that dripping out of the sleeve? You guessed it ..... water! But, how could that be; the lines are dry having been purged when we winterized?

Up to the Tiki bar. Believe it or not it is rain water. The bar cover is old and I am having it replaced in the spring. It leaks .... the sink in the bar, as it turns out, is not sealed to the bar. The water enters the interior space of the bar around the sink, lands on the shelf, runs across the shelf to the penetration for the lines, runs down the lines due to surface tension and into the chase. Eureka ! It exits the chase in the forward hold just behind the heaters!

PRICELESS!

So you see Alreadygone you didn't lead me on a wild goose chase I was already on one.

Needless to say we corrected the issue, at least temporaily, reinstalled the heater and I took a hot shower before the wife and I went to our friend's house and had dinner and some much needed lake juice.

I have learned a valuable lesson ........ Investigate throughly and then do it again!

This is one for the books. Maybe the editor will want to use it in the magazine.

Did I forget to mention the purchased heaters need to get back to the parking lot and my truck for the 3 hour trip home tomorrow? ...... More lake juice!

Ok enough laughing. I'm gong to change my screen name.

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16 X 80 1996 Summerset on Dale Hollow