Replace water heater on 43 Post

Has anyone replaced the water heater on their 43? I'm sure I can easily remove the electric, upper tank support and lines. Can't find what the heater weighs to decided if I can lift it out by myself. Got one service quote at 14 hrs labor which seems very high.

With the CAT engines the access is much better than would be on a DD boat, I have 20" of open space in front of the engine to work in.

Agree. This particular part number was ended in 2015 so I'm sure the unit is older than that. I changed 50 gallon home units when I was younger, not so much anymore. I found a shipping weight of 68 lbs, I think bare it's probably about 50?

Good idea for a handle, thanks.

Getting a random surge of rust/sediment on the hot water side. I've drained/flushed it a couple times with minimal impact.

It is glass lined (baked on ceramic) but it's also the only thing in the system that isn't copper or brass/bronze. The system holds pressure with the pump off but does look like there is probably a leak inside somewhere. The 'brown' only comes from the hot side of the system, cold side of all the fixtures runs clear.

Very random. Doesn't always occur. Will be there for a few minutes, then clear up for the next several time runs the water.

If it is some type of life form would still need to replace the heater to eradicate. Flushed the full cooling system last season with water system cleaner after got a bad (smelly) batch of water from the marina where it is stored over the winter. I had them not fill the water tanks this year, filled them only from my house supply.

The 'M' model was ended in 2015. The current 'RE' model is already on order.

Since it only randomly has 'brown' flowing bypassing for a test wouldn't provide any assurance, It can go away for many cycles on it's own. Bypassing it is a PITA since it's next to impossible to get at the far end of the short rigid copper lines connecting to the heater to be able to disconnect the lines without bending them. While replacing heater plan to change those secments to a flexible line while it is out of the way to get access.

If you look to the right of the label you can see the housing rusting through, so there must be a water leak inside somewhere. I didn't notice it until I posted the photo as was only looking at the label.

Had 'marine' ones in several prior boats, didn't seem to fair any better.