Seaward Water Heaters

[Nordlund Xpress]

We have a 20 gallon Seaward water heater which is leaking. A bit of online research suggests this is common among aluminum tank design water heaters. Additionally, it appears Whale acquired Seaward and no longer has distributors in the US. Anyone else replace a Seaward and is happy with a new brand?

 

[Comodave]

I have used Atwood in past boats. I see Defender shows a Seaward heater.

 

[Nordlund Xpress]

I found many sites still displaying Seaward water heaters, West Marine included, but none in stock. I did find one available but with a galvanized cover rather than stainless and I don't really want to risk rust
ing. I called Whale in the UK and they said the only option is to order through a UK distributor. Since this does not bode well should a warrantee claim be necessary, I though switching brands to be the best bet. I've had recommendations for IsoTherm and Torrid (50% + more expensive).

 

[sunchaser]

Our 20g Seaward failed after 9 years due to leaks corrosion related. A glass lined Torrid replaced it and after 11 years no issues.

 

[Nordlund Xpress]

Thanks. Torrid customers appear to be pretty happy. I guess I should feel lucky that we got 16 years out of our Seaward and that the leak was small and slow so we did not lose our entire fresh water supply on our last trip!

 

[Comodave]

Yes, that is a pretty good life. A lot of home water heaters don’t last that long.

 

[tiltrider1]

I have had very good luck with Torrid.

 

[Comodave]

I would try to get a foam insulated one instead of the wool insulation. It will stay hot longer.

 

[DDW]

I have Isotemp in two boats, no corrosion issues, 13 years on the older one. They are SS inside and out.

 

[nussbda]

I just replaced a 6 gallon Seaward with a 6 gallon Whale Seaward from Defender. 9 - 10 year life seems to be what's expected. The new one was a direct replacement. All the plumbing and the mounting holes lined up.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Trawler Forum mobile app

 

[kthoennes]

We replaced ours four years ago with an Albin. Made in Sweden, with operations in Korea, and Peabody, Mass. I had to replace a Seaward 6 gal square (cube) model so I worried a round shape might give me installation hassles, but it swapped easily. Doesn't draw a lot of power, it's very well made in my opinion, and it'll keep water hot or warm for a couple days after we turn it off. Very happy with it. Costs a little more than some others, but I wanted a high quality, true marine (not RV) heater that would last.

https://albin.group/product-category/water-heaters

I should mention too, capacity wasn't really an issue for us when we were shopping, but after looking at the comparative specs, I replaced the 6 gal Seaward with an 8 gal Albin. Still fit well.

 

[BDofMSP]

On our last boat we replaced the 6 gal Seaward with 12 years on it, but only because the water through it tasted and smelled awful. Our current boat has a Seaward 11 gallon and it works flawlessly, although it is AC only (no engine heating). It is 22 years old.

Maybe mine are lasting so well because they are winterized every year? I suppose the shorter seasons help too...

BD

 

[kthoennes]

Yeah, you known ours was probably original to the boat, although ours is winterized every year too. The previous owner and I are both fanatics for paperwork and I don't have anything that shows a previous replacement so it probably lasted a little over 20 years. Got our money's worth out of that Seaward I suppose. But when we did finally take it out, the water smell was truly awful, sulfur dioxide smell like you wouldn't believe. I don't know what was going on in there, but the stench would knock you over. Swapped it out and the smell instantly vanished.

 

[BDofMSP]

Same smell as ours. What I was told was that was the result of antifreeze remaining when the element was in use. No idea if true but made some sense? Either way the solution was the same.

 

[Takoradi]

Replaced a rusted out 12gal Raritan 10+ yrs old with a 20 Raritan with the same footprint. Great swap and INCREDIBLE customer service.

Tak

 

[Flatswing]

I found many sites still displaying Seaward water heaters, West Marine included, but none in stock. I did find one available but with a galvanized cover rather than stainless and I don't really want to risk rust.

I have a 20 gal Seaward ( the vertical version) that is 19 yrs old and still works fine but I was planning to replace as pm. I see several identical replacements (whale Seaward) online. Available with galvanized, aluminum or SS exteriors. The exteriors are cosmetic (my present version is galvanized and has a rust free exterior) the inner water tanks and fittings are common to all.

 

[Southern Boater]

If you are using AC power to run your house systems two or three times a day, an apartment sized AC HW cylinder is also a viable option.
I changed out a decades old Torrid with a 13.5 Gal (50 litre) Rheem, changed the 3600W heating element for a 1800W to reduce the current load for the 15 amp shore supply, at one fifth of the cost of a new marine heat exchange version.
After a year of use, have no regrets about the decision.

 

[grumpyfnq]

Water Heater

Just replaced Seaward 20 gal with Kuuma in Australia. Almost identical, very minor differences but improved by optional magnesium anode to stop aluminium corrosion. Old one appeared to be leaking engine coolant but turned out to be hose issue but after 15 years, getting fairly tatty anyway. Kuuma, aluminium tank stainless outer. Believe they are manufactured and available in US, not sure how price competitive.