2004 342 after market water heater replacement?

mikejudd65

I have a leaky water heater in our 2004 342 that needs replaced. Several after market options available but not sure if I need a front/rear mount or side mount. I know I need 6 gallon size. 
Any reasonably priced options? thanks in advance.

reneechris14

Defender is reasonable price. 

mikejudd65

thanks, do you know if 342 needs front/rear mount or side mount? 

Stodge

Your best bet it to take a photo of the current water heater, to include the make and model, and work from there.  I would not be surprised to see that the heater capacity was the only thing constant on the 342.  

Dirtythirty

Believe it or not, when I replaced mine last year, I found West Marine had the best price. I added the extended warrantee  and it still came out less expensive than than other places I checked (and ...it was aluminum !  the original that came out was steel and was all rusted. Free delivery too.

mikejudd65

@Stodge , agree, taking a pic would best way to match it up, but its still wrapped,winterized for winter storage, no batteries, can't access engine compartment. Was hoping someone had already replaced one and could give me details so I can order one and have it ready when I unwrap her. 

Liberty44140

The water heater in my 2006 342 is the front/rear model. 

EDIT - actually now that I compare front/rear pics to side pics on west's site I am not sure what I have and I dont have any pics of it. Sorry. My gut tells me that it's a front rear mount though as if it was a side mount it would be impossible to get it as close to the hull as it is

Stodge

@mikejudd65 agree it would be nice to have the replacement in hand ahead of time, but it might be a shot in the dark until you can get a peek.  I would not trust the water heater to be the same on all 342s.

DanD2

They might not all be the same but I would surmise that the hookups are all on the bulkhead side

mikejudd65

UPDATE: I received a response from Rinker. I've been impressed with their responsiveness since we took ownership of our boat last year.

From Rinker;

"The current one our part number 2290305 is from Atwood Mobile and there number on it is F600W

The obsolete one was 2280114 Atwood Mobile EHM6-5M"

Digging deeper, these are front mount, heat exchanger on front, mounting brackets on front and more importantly, the ability for shore-power hot water or engine-heated while underway. 

The current Atwood model $435 online retailers or West Marine Model # 13915103 at $369 , (Rinker price was $786 for the Atwood) 

reneechris14

https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?name=kuuma-marine-water-heater-6-gallon&path=-1|51|2234308|2234311&id=1110826

billy737

reneechris14 said:

https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?name=kuuma-marine-water-heater-6-gallon&path=-1|51|2234308|2234311&id=1110826

That’s a nice one at $299.99

walleyr

I got mine from West Marine also. It works great and not pricey.

mikejudd65

thanks everyone!