[ReelMagic]

Have a 2003 38 Open w/cummins 450 HP engines. Believe the hot water heater located in the engine room on the starboard side is leaking so I plan to replace with the same 11 gallon unit... Looks like it can be pulled out without taking the heat exchanger off the starboard engine... Has anyone replaced the hot water heater and if so did it come out with out major surgery. Looks like it will come out but looking for help.

As an update to my above post..... Completed the replacement today...... Can't get the 11 gallon unit out unless you remove the outer sheet metal skin and the insulation.... Once removed the tank, it's a cylinder, comes out with room to spare.... Reversed the process to reinstall. Took the stainless sheet metal skin off the new hot water heater, protected the insulation with a plastic bag and placed the tank into the boat. Once in the boat, in the original place (outboard forward side of the starboard motor) I reinstalled the sheet metal skin then screwed down the unit. Reinstalled all plumbing and hooked it up electrically.... All good now....... Trick is to take the sheet metal case off the water heater and re-install once in place...... BTW the tank had a crack on the bottom. Don't understand why as it has always been drained for the winter.... Oh well its done and we're back in business.... Hope this helps someone else that has to replace the hot water heater on a 38 Open.