Installation of water heater

Ruth

Have 2004 Rinker Viesta Vee 312 and need to know the proper way to take out the old and put in new, as the heat exchanger didn't get winterized properly.

Dream_Inn

I believe your water heater is in the same place as mine was on my 2002 310.  It is located behind the storage space on the stbd side of the aft cabin.  Remove power and fresh water pressure first. You need to remove the small circle access (after getting into the storage space behind the cushion), then remove the screws holding the aft white panel/wood.  From there, you'll need drain the water heater tank (using plastic drain and opening pressure relief valve - note, it will go into mid cabin bilge). Then remove both fresh water lines and both lines that come/go to the motor.  There are 4 bolts holding the heater down, 2 in front and 2 in aft.  The 2 in the aft are extremely difficult and you will need to be over top of the heater with the appropriate length screwdriver (longer than the height of the heater).  After that, it should come out. 

Installation is just basically the opposite.  While you are in there, you should add the bypass which will allow for easier winterization.  

From your comment about the exchanger, I'm assuming you have "raw" water going thru your water heater.  If your motors are fresh water cooled, then you need to be concerned about antifreeze in the lines going to/from the motor.

Oh, & welcome to the forum!  The 312 is a great boat!  Where do you use your boat?

Ruth

We use it we use it on Mississippi, bought it new in 2004 and have truly enjoyed it. We have decided to sell and put it in water yesterday for the first time this year and discovered the problem with water heater. Once this is all unhooked it will com through opening into the aft cabin without destroying things?

Dream_Inn

Yes, you can bring it thru the aft cabin.  It may be easier to remove all cushions in cabin so you don't accidently tear one.  The other thing you will need to do is remove the metal panel on the front and remove the wires from the heating element.  Just make sure all electrical power (shore power, 120VAC) is off first.

The two screws on the aft side of the heater is absolutely the worst!  It was probably the hardest thing I had ever done on that boat is removing the stbd aft screw on that heater.  I didn't put that one back in on install.

Oh, and make sure it's full of water before you turn it back on.  (you can keep the element out of the old one as a spare)

Ruth

If you were doing through a marine shop what would you guess the hours would be to take out and reinstall. I have priced a heater so trying to figure out approximately how much they should be charging at $90 per hour.

Dream_Inn

oh boy, just a wild guess could be up to 4 hours.  A good price would be 2 hours.

GMSLITHO

I was thinking 2 if you don't have a generator 

GMSLITHO

sorry just saw its a 312  I thought a 270