WATER HEATER

[JERRY MITCHELL]

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHERE THE OPTIONAL WATER HEATER ON A COLUMBIA 8.7 WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCATED AND HAS ANYONE HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH USING JUST A REGULAR 6 GALLON 110 VOLT UNIT THAT DOES NOT OPERATE WITH THE HEAT EXCHANGER.

[Brian Anderson]

We bought a 1984 Columbia 8.7 a few years ago with thewater heater. The previous owner had allowed it to freeze and so it was leaking. The old one was on ashelf in the starboard aft hold fairly high up just aft of the bulkhead. It was very difficult to remove through the hatch. We bought a replacement 4.5 gallon model from HMC in Toronto. It was fairly easy to install. It runs off 110 volt shorepower or heat exchanger and works very well. Heats up in half hour on shorepower or 1 hour of engine running. There is not really enough hot water for a long shower but plenty for dishes and hand washing etc. It also stays hot for several hours which is good. Your application with only 110 shore power would work fine but you might be happier with heat exchanger model as it also provides cooling for your engine (especially if you have a diesel) I hope this helps. Brian