[C320-list] Water Heater Sacrificial Anode

[Jeff Hare]

I can't say much about the anode, but the antifreeze is a problem (In my
opinion).  First season owned the boat we used antifreeze and it took a long
time to get rid of the taste.  We don't do that anymore.  The other thing we
do is use lots of water.  When at the dock we typically don't turn on the
hot water heater.  We turn on the 'hot' water taps instead of the cold
typically when running the faucets because it draws water through the hot
water tank instead of directly from the water tanks.  So, it's cold water in
either case, we're just flushing the water heater more often.

Obviously after motoring around or running the water heater, that doesn't
apply.  As a friend used to say, they take Hollywood showers and fill the
sink when washing dishes to keep the water system fresh. Not a great idea on
a mooring but at the dock, what the heck?

-Jeff Hare
#809

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
Of Dean Vermeire
Sent: Monday, August 8, 2016 12:14 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Water Heater Sacrificial Anode

Hi All,

 

The hot water on our C320 smells bad.  I'm not sure I would call it a sulfur
smell, but that wouldn't be too far off.  I have flushed the water tanks,
cleaned with a bleach solution, flushed again, etc.  I do think that having
put the pink antifreeze in for the winter has added to the problem.  The
water at the lake where we keep our boat is undoubtedly well water, rich
with minerals.  I do use a filter cartridge when I fill the tanks, but don't
think I'd really want to drink the water anyway.

 

I have been reading a bit online, and saw references to a sacrificial anode
for the water heater that sounds like it is what I need.

 

Do any of you have experience with this?  It looks like it just replaces the
spigot on the water heater with a metal rod.

 

Any advice is appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Dean Vermeire

Moonstruck II (#847)