[C320-list] Water heater hose change out

[LOCALJG at aol.com]

Whilst puttering around under the hood, I noticed small cracks in the hose  
that takes hot engine coolant from the engine to the hot water heater.  The 
 hose that comes back to the engine from the water heater seems to be ok?  
 
I followed the hose from the engine till it disappeared into the port  
bulkhead and I presume it simply runs behind the bulkhead, behind the oven  and 
into the water heater?  
 
My questions are: 1)  how long does the hose in question usually  last?  My 
boat is 14 years old.  2)  In order to change out the  hose, will I have to 
pull out the hot water heater from under the  sink?  
 
After looking at the location of the hot water heater, I believe I have  
already answered my second question?  I don't see any way around  it.   
 
John G. 
Hull #329